Multi-storey farms 'are the future'  

A Day in the Life of a vertical farmer

Many models can be envisaged for how such farms could be run.

One would involve a professional farm manager supported by a mix of human and robotic farm hands and specialist scientists.

Another model envisages such farms being part of new community developments with the local residents donating time as farm labour in return for a regular supply of fresh produce and a share of the commercial returns from the farm.

A typical day would typically start with monitoring plant health, atmospheric conditions and crop growth. A number of routine daily tasks would be performed including tending the plants, planting, harvesting, irrigating the various plants, waste recycling and maintaining the ventilation equipment and other machinery.

Each day time would be dedicated to working on new developments in special areas of the farm given over to experimentation on new crops and growing techniques.

A key element of the farm manager’s responsibility will be maximising the commercial returns on the crops planted.

Whilst some farms may be owned by or tied to particular retailers, produce wholesalers or food processors, others may operate on an independent basis.

Much of the commercial effort will be invested in identifying customers to pre-book capacity or to selling crops on the open market once produced.

Once proven, successful farms with a record of achieving high yields may be able to auction their capacity to the highest bidder.

Source: A shape of things to come by Fast Future