Container Farming 101: Choosing a Business Model

The second webinar in the Container Farming 101 series focused on choosing the best business model for your container farm. Florent Schmahl, chief of staff at Growcer, outlined the different business models and how to evaluate which one fits best.

By watching the webinar, you will learn:

  • Breakdown of your operating expenses and capital costs,

  • Production specifications of a Growcer farm,

  • Different types of business models available,

  • Checklists to implement each model,

  • Growcer customer examples, and;

  • Comparison of all the models on implementation, maintenance, and profitability. 

To date, communities and institutions have used Growcer farms to grow over one million servings of fresh, local greens. This webinar will be an opportunity to understand their keys to success. 

DOWNLOAD THE WEBINAR RECORDING AND HEAR MORE ABOUT:

  • 2:16 - Introduction and what you will learn

  • 4:29 - Growcer’s mission and what we do

  • 7:10 - Initial investment overview and operating expenses

  • 9:45 - Production capacity and crop overview (varieties and yields)

  • 12:48 - Value of hyper-local produce 

  • 17:28 - Direct-to-consumer subscription model

  • 25:03 - Wholesale model 

  • 29:31 - Hybrid model (Multiple channels: wholesale and DTC)

  • 31:32 - Impact model 

  • 33:20 - Business model comparison 

  • 36:06 - DTC model for retailers

  • 38:13 - Steps to Success with Nick

  • 41:12 - Audience Q&A (Regulatory requirements, clarifying costs, finding distributors, finding customers, focusing on one model or diversifying, what current Growcer growers are doing, using social media to engage with customers)

This is the second webinar in the Container Farming 101 series. The series will take you step-by-step through what you need to know before you start, how to select the best business model, and your options for financing the project.

Stephanie Gordon