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Rectification: Bowery Farming not affected by SVB bankruptcy

“Recently, Bowery Farming was named in an article on Vertical Farm Daily's website and newsletter about agtech companies that were affected by the bankruptcy of the Silicon Valley bank. While Bowery Farming was featured on SVB’s website it was not affected the bankruptcy of the bank,” Bowery Farming…

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Vertical farms and microgreens may convince toddlers to finally eat their greens

Cindy Kambeitz’s nine-year-old son, Mikey, only eats carrots, snow peas, and lettuce. “It’s quite frustrating. I’ve tried everything to get a cooked veggie down his throat and now give up,” she shared with Oakville News. On his birthday, Mikey got a chia pet (terracotta figurines used to sprout chia) and…

Philippines: Pampanga farmers urged to switch to in demand, high-value crops

Senator Imee Marcos urged farmers in this province to cultivate market-driven crops in order to increase their income. In her dialogue with the program beneficiaries of Young Farmers Challenge and Enhanced KADIWA at the Pampanga State Agricultural University in Magalang town, Marcos cited the importance…

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Farms in cities: New study offers planners and growers food for thought

Growing food in a city can improve local food security and express local culture. Little information is available, though, on what kinds of spaces and technologies urban agriculture requires. This sort of information would be useful to architects and built environment specialists when they design…

China: New-generation of growers return to their hometowns to launch horti businesses - successfully

In recent years, Wucheng County in Dezhou, Shandong Province, has continuously introduced and cultivated new professional growers and developed enterprises to help and benefit growers. This is part of the County's rural revitalization strategy, attracting young talent to the region to open up new…

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The future of Wisconsin's indoor farm industry

From lettuce and basil to microgreens and mushrooms, indoor farms have the potential to deliver freshly harvested food to regional grocery shelves. The owner of one of the state’s largest vertical farms discusses challenges to the growing industry. Host: Kate Archer Kent Guest(s): Bryan Ernst…

How will the vertical farming model develop?

Between now and 2050, the world will have to feed 10 billion people. However, food doesn’t grow efficiently all over the world, and the same holds true for distribution. As a result, growers have been looking at different ways to be able to grow food more efficiently and closer to consumer areas. In…

What happened with vertical farming and how can we fix it?

Albert Lin is the CEO of VegBed and has been involved in vertical farming since around 2014. "It's been fascinating to see how the industry has grown over the past decade. I thought I might give my 2 cents on what has happened recently as a lot of positive and negative press has come to light," he says.…

An insight into the challenges facing vertical farms

Max Armstrong continues his discussion about the challenges facing vertical farms. Max shares insight from a Pennsylvania State University business professor, Eric Stein, head of the non-profit Center for Indoor Agriculture. The electric bill for lighting alone can already be very expensive. Stein shares…

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UK 'leading the way' for global agri-tech investments

The UK and Europe are leading the way for global agri-tech investments, having received nearly £81 billion from over 1,700 investors, according to a new report. The report has highlighted that global investment in agri-tech is growing, almost doubling to £100 billion between January 2020 and January…

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French horticultural sector to receive €200m government aid

The French government has announced a €200 million fund to increase the production and consumption of domestic fruit and vegetables. Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau outlined the 'sovereignty plan' at France's largest agricultural event, the Salon de l'Agriculture, on 2 March. Approximately half of…

Food For Mzansi

ICYMI: Youth and hydroponics – a perfect match

Traditional farming methods won’t attract young people for very much longer. Agriculture is changing, and South Africa’s food producers are aging, paving the way for young people to be at the heart of hydroponics initiatives in the country. These were the words of Dr. Fikile Qwabe, acting chief director…

The FoodTech500 2022 listing

Every year, the CEA space is excited to see which indoor farming companies are nominated for the FoodTech 500 listing. A definitive list that showcases global entrepreneurial talent at the…

UK: Midlands growers warn that salad shortage could last weeks

Vegetable growers across the Midlands have warned salad shortages on some supermarket shelves could continue for several more weeks. High energy costs have meant that many…

Vertical farming in Saudi Arabia

Rapid growth of urban populations, climate change, and a growing demand for local produce are all working to increase adoption of vertical farming across the world. The Vertical Farming Global Market Report from 2022 predicts that the global vertical farming market will grow from $ 4.21 billion in 2021 to $ 11.58 billion in…

Higher demand for herbs from southern Europe, Israel, and Kenya

Bulk herbs such as parsley, basil, mint, and coriander are usually part of the standard assortment for herb traders, continually enjoying great popularity. Despite this, even this segment is not immune to the high prices and costs, as Alexander Hornig, managing director of Ernst & Schlößer Ltd, tells us.…

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Hong Kong has become the city where farms grow their crops in the sky

The last place one might expect to find a farm is smack-bang in the middle of a concrete jungle, where giant blocks of steel and glass tower above in every direction. But here in Hong Kong’s bustling Quarry Bay district, a green oasis is to be found 300m above ground on the rooftop of One Island East –…

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"The vertical farming bubble is finally popping"

When workers arrived at Fifth Season, an indoor farm in the former steel town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, on a cloudy Friday morning last October, they expected it would be a normal day. The farm, which had opened two years earlier, seemed to be running smoothly, growing tens of thousands of pounds of…

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Is vertical farming UAE’s next high-growth industry?

The UAE landscape has always stood out for its best-in-class gleaming skyscrapers, among them the tallest ones in the world. And now, a new set of vertical structures is entering this space and breaking records on heights. Vertical farms are catching on in the UAE. Just recently, AeroFarms debuted AgX, a…

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"Advancements in technology lead the vertical farming sector"

A growing population, the shortage of land and water, and increasing pressure on traditional agricultural methods have led to a shift toward new farming practices like vertical farming. Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis, Global Vertical Farming Growth Opportunities, finds that the vertical farming…

UK shortages? "Enough iceberg lettuce to sink the Titanic"

While consumers run into empty shelves or are limited when buying fresh produce, UK wholesalers deny the produce shortages and say it's simply a matter of money. "We have enough iceberg lettuce to sink the Titanic. Go online now, and we will deliver the next day."  The shortage of salad items in the UK supermarkets…

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AU: Big boost for Victoria’s Agtech industry

The Andrews Labor Government is backing the AgTech sector, with entrepreneurs and investors across the state set to benefit from $1.3 million in new grants – fostering the next generation of innovation. Today Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney announced the grants, which are a partnership between…

Malaysia: Widened fund reach of urban farming

Maybank Islamic Bhd has spread its urban farming funds initiative to help reduce income inequality and poverty by identifying four new sites in Selangor and Kelantan.  The pilot project, in collaboration with INCEIF University, commenced in late 2021, targeting 60 urban poor in Bandar Rinching, Semenyih, with…

Machere Ltd, Sittingbourne

UK: Horticulture, food and drink businesses awarded £154,000 research vouchers

Over £154,000 of funding has been awarded by Growing Kent & Medway to 11 businesses for research projects to improve the sustainability of the horticultural, food, and drink sectors. From reducing plastic in fruit punnets, cutting energy use in food processing, to extracting plant proteins from seaweed,…

CEA Alliance urges collaboration and government support

Speaking at the AeroFarms Ag Tech Innovation Summit in Abu Dhabi, Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance Executive Director Tom Stenzel urged global stakeholders to support increased investment and government collaboration to advance CEA production as a cornerstone of future sustainable agriculture.…

"EU should be less dependent on imported fertilizers"

The European Parliament urges the Commission to ensure the supply of fertilisers, take action to bring down prices, and increase the EU's strategic autonomy in fertilisers. In…

UK: ‘Vertical farming needs to match field grown crop cost prices'

“It’s an exciting time here at Fischer Farms, there’s a lot going on. Our second farm, which has 25.000m2 of growing space is now ready. Investment in automation, and the installation of robots, help us consolidate labour costs. We’re very pleased with how the farm is looking.” says Tristan Fischer,…

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'Three agtech trends to watch in 2023'

"In 2023, I predict we're also going to see an expansion of the types of products grown in a CEA environment due to ongoing supply chain issues and associated challenges, such as the rising costs of goods and services. I expect more leaders in the agriculture space to take a new look at the category and…

Weldon Beesly)

UK: £550,000 Green Belt land for sale to develop vertical farm in Welwyn

A piece of Green Belt land has gone on sale in Welwyn to develop a vertical farm. Vertical farming enables the growing of plants all year round, with the potential for salad crops, flowers, and even pharmaceutical crops.  It also includes the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often incorporating…

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US: 'Congress must invest now to secure the future of US food'

The story of this decade doesn’t have to be one of scarcity and strain. A different future is within reach: one of abundance, affordability, and sustainability. The U.S. has a historic opportunity to shorten supply chains, safeguard long-term food security, and decrease the environmental costs of…

'Will vertical farming feed the world?'

"Vertical Farming (i.e. totally controlled-environment agriculture) has sometimes been promoted as the future of agriculture, just as urban farming has been forecasted to feed the cities. However, people outside of this young industry are then surprised to see mostly leafy greens and aromatic herbs grown…

US (CA): Opportunity for three CEA facilities to slash energy costs with zero upfront cost

Ultra Yield Solutions (UYS), a horticulture lighting distributor specializing in CEA, offers Zero Upfront Cost financing options for three LED lighting upgrades for California…

‘Brexit is making inflation worse for the UK’

Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann has issued her opinions on the Brexit debate, blaming UK’s departure from the European Union for adding to inflation. Mann is a US…

Why we’re in the golden age of Australian agrifood tech

In just three years, investment in Australian agrifood tech has skyrocketed. With the planet’s rapidly growing population, never-ending climate concerns, and an urgent shift towards sustainability, the market for innovative agrifood tech has never been so hungry.The golden age of agrifood tech investment…

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Climate change threatens saffron crops in Spain

A sharp wind shunts clouds across the low and endless skies of La Mancha as Carlos Fernández stoops to pluck the last mauve flowers of the season from the cold earth. Their petals, which stain his index finger and thumb blue, enclose an almost weightless prize whose crimson threads are treasured in Spain…

USDA

Cauliflower, kale, packaged salads, cucumbers, and avocados were popular

Ads that broke early in this ad cycle focused on the Lunar New Year, with cherries, tangerines, grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, and grapes showcased for the centuries-old tradition of offering gifts of fruit to friends and family. Cauliflower, kale, packaged salads, cucumbers, and avocados were popular…

Understanding how vertical farming can support sustainable crop growth

In a guest blog with CHAP, Dave Scott, Founder and Chief Technical Officer for Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), explains that “Vertical farming enables us to build a precision-controlled growing environment that allows farmers to combat the challenges facing more traditional forms of agriculture.”  "If…

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

US (WI): Milwaukee plans for 7900m2 aquaponic farm

An urban farm planned for Milwaukee's south side would feature fish, shrimp, and vegetables − and serve as a model for similar developments in other states. Beyond Organic Corp. is proposing the five-story, 85,000-square-foot (7900m2) building at 716 W. Windlake Ave., just south of West Historic Mitchell…

France is preparing a law allowing the industry to better negotiate with retailers

The French National Assembly has just passed a bill aimed at giving more weight to the industry in negotiations with retailers. So far, in France, if suppliers and retailers…

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Cultivating urban farming in Malaysia

City dwellers have been growing fresh produce like fruits and vegetables in vacant lots, rooftops, and abandoned indoor spaces since the World War II era. During that period, millions of Americans practiced urban farming, which they called “victory gardens” in their backyards to produce additional fruits…

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Teaching self-sustainability to schools and communities across South Africa

“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” This proverb could not be more true for a partnership between snack giant Mondelēz International and Inmed South Africa, which are taking the idea of self-sustainability to schools and communities…

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Why vertical farming falls short of the hype

Enough vertical farms have been put into operation that early data can offer a suggestion of how that idea is going to work out. Full disclosure: I never thought they made sense on any level other than futuristic fantasy. Like monorails. Multi-story buildings filled with produce in the heart of a city…

NL: How popular is greenhouse horticulture among young people?

The future of greenhouse horticulture lies in the hands of the new generation. But are they interested in it? How attractive is a career in greenhouse horticulture among young people and young adults? We spoke with 25-year-old Stef from Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands, Inholland Delft University of…

US (CA): $150M available to California growers for energy-saving upgrades

An emergency proclamation has sparked the new motivation for California growers to make facility upgrades. Early last year, the California Public Utilities Commission introduced the Market Access Program (MAP), a grid reliability program that encourages energy savings — especially during peak summer…

Growing pains on the way to a more resilient vertical farming industry

By David Nothmann, Unfold's Chief Operating Officer  As we usher in the New Year, a reflection on the dynamic last few months in indoor farming news provides some insight for what to expect in 2023 and beyond. We’ve seen both contractions by organizations like Fifth Season, Kalera and Infarm reevaluating and…

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The food systems that will feed Mars are set to influence food on Earth

Could we feed a city on Mars? This question is central to the future of space exploration and has serious repercussions on Earth too. To date, a lot of thought has gone into how astronauts eat; however, we are only beginning to produce food in space. Space launches are quite expensive. And with the…

So what’s the scoop on the lack of lettuce?

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you would have seen that we have a lettuce problem in North America. In fact, the problem is you don’t see it; shelves at grocery stores are void of lettuce, and restaurants remove salads from their menus. So what’s the scoop on the lack…

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Obstacles for outdoor growers are opportunities for indoor growers

"There is a conflict of land uses at present. Over time we have evolved to maximize food production, but there has been a carbon impact and a loss of biodiversity as a consequence of that. Since that's been realized, there has been much more focus on the environment. But the war has focussed everyone on…

“Pioneers get killed, second-generation farmers get rich”

"What currently is happening in vertical farming with high valuations, but also bankruptcies shows that the industry is maturing. The second generation of Vertical Farming companies, the so-called settlers, can learn a lot from the mistakes that have been made by the first generation, the pioneers.…

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India: An overview of agritech in 2022: Growth, hits and misses

In India’s start-up ecosystem, agritech is one of the hottest sectors. Agritech in India currently offers start-ups a $24 billion opportunity over the following four years, according to an Ernst & Young 2020 estimate. With only 1.5% penetration, this industry is still in its infancy. The country is in a…

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Philippines: Microgreens have the potential to contribute to food diversity and nutrition

Microgreens is a term gaining popularity in the culinary and health-conscious community. As food prices are rising, we need to look for an easy and alternative way of producing our food. Microgreens are tiny, young plants from edible herbs and vegetables. The seeds are usually densely planted in small…

Jamaicans called on to embrace agriculture

The fallout from the geopolitical factors, such as the ongoing Ukraine/Russia war and disruptions in the global supply chains, have underscored the need for Jamaica to do much more to enhance its food security and nutrition. Because of this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be going all out…

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US (OH): Urban agriculture looks to new foundations in Toledo

A group of crop agitators led by state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson gathered Friday at Grace Community Center in Toledo to discuss urban food production. The tables of extension agents, teachers, and urban food producers exchanged ideas on how to reclaim concrete and more economically churn Toledo soils. “We…

Sunway XFar

'The growing need for urban and vertical farming in Malaysia'

Sprawling spaces filled with sprouting vegetation and farm animals, plus vertical farm start-ups — urban farming is often romanticized, yet, in its truest form, is indeed beneficial for urbanites. Zooming into local real estate, emerging players such as test lab Sunway XFarms, Sime Darby Property’s…

Scaling up vegetable farms for wholesale markets

Selling to the wholesale market can help smaller-scale farmers connect with more customers to increase brand recognition and profitability.  A new educational resource from Sustainable Agriculture Research Education (SARE), a NIFA-funded organization, provides a variety of strategies and tools to help owners…

What the Colorado River crisis could mean for indoor agriculture

For over two decades, the Colorado River Basin has suffered from what has been dubbed a "megadrought." After continual cuts to water usage, the United States Bureau of Reclamation is threatening to impose its own water conservation plan if the affected states cannot come to a sufficient water…

How automation is being used in agtech

What factors are driving the rise of automation in the agriculture sector, and what are some of the most exciting and transformative technologies being used today? There are six factors driving automation use in the farming sector: 1. Reduced costs With thin profit margins, the agricultural industry…

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California leads nation in organic farming

Between 2019 and 2021, the number of certified organic farms with organic production in the country increased by 5 percent to 17,445, and the number of certified acres decreased by 11 percent to 4.9 million. Sedric and Michelle Drake of Turlock founded Drake’s Greens in 2020. Their microgreens, grown…

Stina Lexberg, Onna Greens

Norwegian government promotes agriculture, yet it lags behind with vertical farming

In the government's proposal for the state budget for 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food receives a historic budget increase of 24.7 percent. This is a sign that the government has great ambitions for Norwegian agriculture. In addition, NOK 87 million is allocated to the establishment of Bionova,…

The best-read VerticalFarmDaily articles of 2022

Time flies by when you're having... fun? 2022 has been a fruitful year for many given the allowance to travel again, but it has also been a tricky one for some farmers due to the high energy costs.  The following list includes the top 10 articles published in 2022 by VerticalFarmDaily. 2022 has been quite…

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CAN: As Ontario farmland disappears, vertical farm industry grows

According to data from Canada’s 2021 Census of Agriculture, Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland daily. This number is likely to increase after a housing law passed earlier this month by the provincial government expands development into parts of Ontario’s protected Greenbelt. A startup based in…