The Ultimate List of Vertical Farming Facts for 2024

Sustainability and environmental responsibility have always been at the forefront of the agriculture industry.

Now in 2024, we’re turning our attention to a newer method of growing: vertical farming. Vertical farming is capturing the attention of experts, eco-conscious individuals, and food lovers alike.

Vertical farming isn't your typical agriculture. It's a revolutionary way of growing crops in vertically stacked growing towers or horizontally stacked trays, often within controlled environments like dedicated indoor spaces, skyscrapers, and shipping containers.

Vertical farming says goodbye to the vast fields seen with other types of agriculture and maximizes space and resources, reduces environmental impact, and creates a more sustainable food future.

In The Ultimate List of Vertical Farming Facts for 2024, we're diving into the latest trends, eye-opening statistics, and game-changing impacts that define this agricultural shift. From cutting-edge technology to environmental perks that align with our changing climate, each fact peels back a layer of the vertical farming story, giving us a comprehensive look into its role in agriculture.

Summary

• Water conservation: Vertical farms use up to 10 times less water, achieving a 98% reduction in water usage and a 99% decrease in land requirements.

• Space optimization: Vertical farming optimizes space and offers a solution for large urban centres where 80% of the world's population is projected to reside by 2050.

• Year-round harvests: Year-round controlled-environment agriculture ensures a constant supply of fresh produce.

• Protective environment: Vertical farms’-controlled environment shields crops from pests, diseases, and external factors.

• Carbon-footprint minimization: Vertical farming minimizes the carbon footprint by situating farms near urban centres, reducing transportation emissions, and supporting local economies.

• Minimal chemicals: Using fewer chemicals, vertical farming aligns with consumers' preferences for transparent and sustainable food production.

• Hyper-local agriculture: Hyper-local container farming transforms forgotten spaces into thriving gardens, reducing the carbon footprint, and fostering community engagement.

• Hydroponic efficiency: Hydroponic farming, a key vertical farming technique, ensures quicker harvests by directly providing essential nutrients to plant roots.

Vertical farming facts

1. Vertical farms use less water

Vertical farms redefine water usage in agriculture, embracing a sustainable approach that minimizes waste. Employing hydroponic farming systems, these farms can significantly reduce water consumption — often utilizing up to 10 times less water than conventional crop watering methods. The closed-system design captures and efficiently recirculates water, preventing environmental runoff and maximizing water efficiency.

Vertical farming techniques take water conservation to new heights compared to traditional farming. Farmers can achieve an astounding 98% reduction in water usage and a 99% decrease in land requirements. The perpetual harvest model, facilitated by year-round rolling cultivation, enables these farms to boast crop yields that surpass traditional methods by a staggering 240 times.

This water-wise and land-efficient approach underscores the pivotal role vertical farming plays in addressing the sustainability challenges of modern agriculture.

Vertical farming grows “up” instead of “out” so it requires less land usage.

2. Vertical farms require less land usage

Vertical farming not only conserves water but also addresses the challenge of limited arable land, a critical resource in conventional agriculture. Unlike traditional methods, which rely on sprawling acreages for single-layer planting on the ground, hydroponic farming optimizes vertical space. By stacking plants on top of each other, vertical farms achieve higher yields without requiring extensive land.

Looking ahead to 2050, where approximately 80% of the world's population is projected to reside in urban areas, the demand for food will intensify, particularly in regions where land is scarce. Vertical farming offers a solution tailored for large urban centres, providing a viable means to meet the rising demand without relying on expansive fields. This innovative approach aligns with the changing demographic landscape and positions vertical farming as a key player in the sustainable future of agriculture.

On the flip side, a decentralized approach to food production gives more people the opportunity to eat fresher food. For example, modular vertical farms can be placed almost anywhere (in a parking lot or an area that rains year-round) to grow fresh vegetables steps away from where they are consumed. Sometimes land is not suitable for outdoor production, but that does not mean you cannot grow food on it - just expand which growing method you use.

3. Vertical farming allows for farming year-round

Imagine having your favorite veggies on the table, no matter the season. Vertical farming in Canada makes it a reality, growing crops year-round in its controlled environment. With vertical farming, there’s no concern about weather quirks or seasonal shifts — these farms ensure a constant supply of greens whenever you crave them.

In a world where supply chains can be unpredictable and folks are leaning toward healthier eating habits, controlled-environment agriculture is taking center stage. With year-round harvests, vertical farming isn't just a trend; it's one reliable solution to the world’s food access problems.

For example, in Huntsville, Ontario, Muskoka North Good Food Co-op has made container farming in Canada a reality. Its modular hydroponic farm, installed in February 2023, guarantees that the community enjoys fresh produce regardless of the season. With crops like buttercrunch lettuce, spinach, and basil available year-round, this initiative showcases the tangible benefits of controlled-environment agriculture, bringing locally grown food to the table every day.