Optimizing Production Methods for Vertical Farms

Vertical farming is booming, with dozens of vertical farms being established every year.  Vertical farms are taking many forms, from warehouse systems to vertical greenhouse systems to living walls.  Growing vertically introduces some unique growing variables uncommon to horizontal agriculture.  These variables warrant rethinking many of the traditional layouts and forms of hydroponic growing by optimizing for volumetric production, air circulation, environmental controls and operational costs.  This presentation will address these new considerations and give examples of vertical farms that are changing the way food is grown and distributed in urban and suburban environments.  This topic is of importance to the academic community because there are many areas of vertical farming that are very fertile research areas, and because vertical farming, as a nascent industry, will benefit from industry-academic partnerships as the industry grows.