'World-first' indoor vertical farm to produce 4M pounds of berries a year
Major steps towards better, sustainable and affordable food production free of environmental challenges have been taken, with the "world's first farm to grow indoor, vertically farmed berries at scale" opening in Richmond, VA. It's backed by an international team of scientists that see this new phase of agriculture as a way to ease global food demands.
Overview of the Farm
The Plenty Richmond farm is a cutting-edge vertical farming facility located in Richmond, Virginia. The farm is designed to produce over four million pounds of strawberries annually, grown indoors in towering 30-foot-tall towers. The facility covers an area of less than a single acre, making it an exemplary model of efficient land use.
Controlled Environment
The farm's controlled environment is the key to its success. The facility is designed to optimize pollination and fruit production, with a highly controlled atmosphere that mimics the natural conditions found in strawberry fields. The grow room features 12 separate growing "rooms," each with its own temperature, light, and humidity controls.
The controlled environment allows for precise management of the growing conditions, resulting in more uniform fruit production and reduced waste. The farm's team of experts has carefully calibrated the environment to optimize the growth of strawberries, taking into account factors such as light intensity, temperature, and humidity.
Dynamic Lighting and Sensors
One of the most innovative features of the Plenty Richmond Farm is its use of dynamic lighting and sensors. The farm's lighting system is designed to mimic the natural cycles of photosynthesis, with sensors that turn lights on and off throughout the day to optimize energy usage.
By harnessing the power of dynamic lighting and sensors, the farm can tap into cheaper energy sources at off-peak times, maximizing the advantages of vertical farming while minimizing its environmental footprint. This approach has been shown to increase crop yields and reduce energy costs, making it an attractive solution for farmers and consumers alike.
Pollination Optimization
Pollination is a critical factor in strawberry production, and the Plenty Richmond Farm has developed innovative solutions to optimize pollination. The farm's team has engineered the environment to promote efficient pollination, resulting in more uniform fruit production and reduced waste.
By optimizing pollination, the farm can reduce the need for external pollination methods, such as bees, and minimize the risk of environmental contamination. This approach also reduces the risk of disease and pests, making it a more sustainable and efficient solution for strawberry production.
Reducing Environmental Impact
The Plenty Richmond Farm is designed to minimize its environmental impact, with a number of innovative features that reduce waste and minimize the use of resources. The farm's controlled environment and shorter supply chain also reduce the risk of environmental contamination, making it an attractive solution for consumers seeking environmentally friendly produce.
Some of the ways in which the farm reduces environmental impact include:
Partnership with Driscoll's
The Plenty Richmond Farm is a partnership between Plenty and global company Driscoll's, renowned for its high-quality strawberries. The partnership aims to deliver consistent, premium strawberries to grocery store shelves in early 2025.
Driscoll's CEO, Soren Bjorn, sees the partnership as a powerful step forward in driving category growth and catering to the increasingly demanding needs of consumers. "We're excited to join forces with Plenty to consistently deliver an ultra-premium Driscoll's strawberry year-round," said Bjorn.
Innovative Technologies
The Plenty Richmond Farm is equipped with a range of innovative technologies that enable efficient and sustainable strawberry production. Some of the key technologies used on the farm include:
Future Plans
The Plenty Richmond Farm is just the beginning of Plenty's ambitious plans for vertical farming. The company is committed to expanding its operations and developing new technologies that enable efficient and sustainable strawberry production.
Some of the future plans for Plenty include:
Overall, the Plenty Richmond Farm is a pioneering example of innovative vertical farming, demonstrating the potential for climate-agnostic, sustainable, and efficient food production. By harnessing the power of technology and collaborating with industry leaders, Plenty is poised to revolutionize the strawberry industry and inspire a new generation of agricultural innovators.