AI is being used to run the world’s first indoor vertical berry farm

In a groundbreaking development for sustainable agriculture, the world’s first large-scale indoor vertical strawberry farm has opened its doors in Richmond, Virginia. This innovative facility, operated by Plenty Unlimited Inc., opened on September 24, 2024, and is set to revolutionize berry production and pave the way for a more sustainable future in farming.

 

 

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A Berry impressive feat

The Plenty Richmond Farm is designed to produce over 4 million pounds of strawberries annually in a space smaller than a single acre. This impressive yield is achieved through cutting-edge vertical farming technology, with strawberries growing on 30-foot-tall towers in less than 40,000 square feet of precisely controlled environment.

 

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Sustainability at its core

One of the most striking aspects of this new farm is its environmental footprint. The farm uses 97% less land than conventional farming and consumes up to 90% less water. It also produces strawberries without the unpredictability of Mother Nature, enabling year-round production with peak-season flavor.

 

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The tech behind the berries

The success of this vertical farm is built on years of research and development. Plenty spent a decade designing a patent-pending, modular growing system flexible enough to support various crops, including strawberries. The farm utilizes AI to analyze over 10 million data points daily across 12 grow rooms, optimizing the environment for each stage of plant growth.

The farm represents a unique collaboration between Plenty’s advanced technology and Driscoll’s century-old berry expertise and proprietary genetics. This partnership aims to deliver consistently high-quality strawberries year-round, regardless of seasonal constraints. The first Driscoll’s strawberries from this farm will be available to consumers in early 2025.

 

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Economic growth and job creation

Beyond its agricultural innovations, the Plenty Richmond Farm is also boosting the local economy. The facility is expected to create over 60 jobs initially, with plans for expansion that could bring the total to more than 300 jobs as part of a projected $300 million investment in the 120-acre farm campus.

 

Looking to the future

With the global population growing and arable land shrinking, vertical farming offers a promising solution to future food security challenges. The Plenty Richmond Farm serves as a proof of concept for large-scale, sustainable indoor agriculture, bringing year-round production within a one-day drive of more than 100 million consumers.

 

Kurt’s key takeaways

The opening of the Plenty Richmond Farm marks a significant milestone in the evolution of agriculture. By combining cutting-edge technology with traditional farming expertise, this facility demonstrates that it is possible to produce high-quality, sustainable food on a large scale while minimizing the environmental impact. As we face the challenges of feeding a growing global population in an era of climate change, innovations like this vertical strawberry farm offer a glimpse of a more sustainable and food-secure future.

Do you prefer the traditional methods of growing food, or do you embrace the innovations of vertical farming as a better solution for the future? Let us know in the comments below. 

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