As cities face ever-greater population pressures with inadequate infrastructure, vertical farming was developed to address these crises. Vertical farming is a method of large-scale farming of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamental plants in multi-story buildings (living skyscrapers) within an urban environment. It is also known as controlled environment agriculture or building-integrated agriculture.
The term “vertical farming” was coined by Gilbert Ellis Bailey in 1915 in his book Vertical Farming. Professor Dickson Despommier primarily champions the current ideas and concepts surrounding vertical farming at Columbia University in New York. This intensive farming strategy employs advanced techniques such as hydroponics and aeroponics, enabling year-round production in any geographical location. Vertical farming allows for faster growth under artificial lighting with less water, labor, and land use than traditional farming. There is vast potential for the growth of this farming concept, as many cities still need to achieve self-sufficiency in fruits and vegetables.
Prominent Vertical Farming Companies
1. AeroFarms
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Since 2004, AeroFarms has implemented the latest breakthroughs in indoor vertical farming, artificial intelligence, and plant biology to improve the global food system. The company owns the world’s largest vertical farm for research and development, located in Abu Dhabi, and partners with major US retailers like Whole Foods and Walmart. AeroFarms’ innovative techniques and dedication to sustainability have earned it recognition and awards, positioning it as a leader in the vertical farming sector.
2. Bowery Farming Inc.
Location: New York City, USA
Bowery Farming is one of the leading names in vertical farming and is known for its advanced technology and innovative practices. The company produces vertically-grown lettuces, salad mixes, dark leafy greens, and herbs. Bowery’s farms utilize controlled environments to ensure optimal growth conditions independent of weather variations. Despite facing significant layoffs and valuation markdowns in late 2023, Bowery remains a key player in the industry, committed to revolutionizing urban agriculture.
3. BrightFarms
Location: Irvington, New York, USA
BrightFarms specializes in growing fresh baby greens locally, emphasizing clean and pesticide-free produce. The company uses sustainable, non-GMO farming methods and avoids chlorine baths, sprays, or gas flushes. BrightFarms’ dedication to environmental consciousness and community involvement makes it a standout in the vertical farming industry. Their product lineup includes various baby greens, ensuring fresh and healthy options for consumers.
4. CubicFarm Systems
Location: Langley, British Columbia, Canada
CubicFarm Systems, traded on the OTC Markets under the symbol CUBXF, provides AgTech solutions to vertical farms and other localized food suppliers. In addition to leafy greens, microgreens, and herbs, CubicFarm offers “vertical pastures” for hydroponic animal feed. The company also sells fresh produce under the brand ALLWays Local. Recently, CubicFarm raised $2.06 million through a share sale to manage expenses and continue operations, highlighting its resilience and adaptability in the market.
4. Dream Harvest Farms
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Dream Harvest Farms is known for its carbon-negative, earth-friendly farming practices. The privately-owned company offers unique blends like “Kale-ing Me Softly” and “You Butter Beleaf It,” delivered in Houston. Despite making their website private in early 2024, Dream Harvest remains a notable player in the vertical farming space, focusing on sustainability and innovation.
6. Eden Green Technology
Location: Cleburne, Texas, USA
Eden Green Technology is a pioneer in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), combining sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. Their vertical farming and hydroponic systems enable year-round fresh produce production, using significantly less land and water than traditional methods. Eden Green’s customizable partner experience, short supply chain, and commitment to environmental sustainability make them a leader in the industry.
7. Farm.One
Location: New York City, USA
Farm.One operates neighborhood farms in Tribeca and Brooklyn, offering a variety of greens, herbs, flowers, mushrooms, and smoothies through weekly subscription plans. Their products come in reusable containers, reducing plastic waste, and are delivered by bicycle to minimize environmental impact. In February 2024, founder Rob Laing left the company but Farm.One continues to thrive, focusing on local, sustainable agriculture.
8. Farm66
Location: Hong Kong, China
Founded in 2013, Farm66 is one of Hong Kong’s largest state-of-the-art indoor aquaponics farms. The company grows leafy greens, herbs, and fruits in an indoor aquaponics farming ecosystem, free from weather impacts and pests. Local retailers like CitySuper Hong Kong and SOGO sell Farm66’s products. Co-founder and CEO Gordon Tam highlights the importance of vertical farming in densely populated areas like Hong Kong, where food supply relies heavily on imports.
9. Freight Farms
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Freight Farms provides a complete vertical farming solution that enables anyone to grow food anywhere, at any time. Their flagship product, the Greenery™ S, is a modular hydroponic farm built inside a shipping container. They also offer Farmhand® Software for farm automation and various farm supplies. Freight Farms aims to make farming accessible to many individuals and organizations, from small businesses and nonprofits to educational institutions.
10. Futurae Farms
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Founded in 2021 by Yaheya Heikal and Erin James, Futurae Farms aims to solve some of the world’s biggest problems through urban vertical farms. The company focuses on producing nutritious and sustainably made fresh foods, primarily in urban centers, to reduce global emissions and improve food quality. Inspired by their experiences abroad, the founders are committed to reducing supply chain issues and mitigating climate change effects while ensuring future generations have access to fresh, healthy food.
11. GP Solutions
Location: Corona, California, USA
GP Solutions, known for its Grow Pod systems, offers modular, stackable, and mobile farms built inside shipping containers. The company traded on the OTC Markets under the symbol GWPD, also sells Easy Leafy Green Fertilizer for soilless growing systems. GP Solutions provides efficient and sustainable farming solutions to meet the growing demand for fresh produce.
12. Hydrofarm Holdings
Location: Petaluma, California, USA
Hydrofarm Holdings offers a comprehensive range of equipment and supplies for indoor growers, including nutrients and additives, growing media, containers, lighting, and atmospheric automation. Traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol HYFM, Hydrofarm is a major player in the indoor agriculture industry, providing essential tools and technologies for successful vertical farming operations.
13. InFarm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Founded in 2013 by Osnat Michaeli and brothers Erez and Guy Galonska, InFarm is one of Europe’s largest vertical farming companies. The company uses cloud farming, a network of self-learning growing centers that enhance plant yield, taste, and nutritional value while reducing resource use. With over 1,200 farms in stores and distribution centers, InFarm has partnered with major food retailers across multiple countries, making it a prominent player in the global vertical farming industry.
14. iFarm
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Founded in 2017, iFarm is an award-winning vertical farming company known for its sustainable and economic growing methods. iFarm’s technology uses 90% less water, 75% less fertilizers, and zero pesticides. Their products, including leafy greens and various vegetables, are sold worldwide. The company has received numerous accolades, including the “Best Social Impact Startup” in the Nordic Startup Awards and “Europe’s Hottest AgFood Tech startup” by The Europas.
15. Little Leaf Farms
Location: Devens, Massachusetts, USA
Little Leaf Farms is dedicated to producing fresh, sustainable baby greens year-round. Their greenhouse operations in Devens, Massachusetts, utilize advanced technology to ensure optimal growing conditions. The product lineup includes various lettuce types and salad kits, providing consumers with fresh, locally-grown options. Little Leaf Farms’ commitment to sustainability and quality makes them a prominent name in the vertical farming sector.
16. Local Bounti
Location: Hamilton, Montana, USA
Local Bounti brands itself as the “Farm of the Future,” emphasizing innovative agriculture practices to provide fresh, local, and sustainable produce throughout the year. With five locations across the United States, Local Bounti focuses on reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional farming and ensuring the highest quality produce for consumers.
17. Plenty
Location: South San Francisco, California, USA
Plenty is a privately owned vertical farm known for its leafy greens, available in flavorful blends and single-variety packs. Their products are distinguished by bright packaging and bold fonts, making them stand out in grocery stores. Available through delivery services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh, Plenty’s commitment to quality and sustainability has positioned it as a leader in the vertical farming industry.
18. Revol Greens
Location: Owatonna, Minnesota, USA
Revol Greens offers a range of fresh produce, focusing on lettuce and greens. Their offerings include salad blends, salad kits, and head lettuces cultivated strongly committed to sustainability and water conservation. Revol Greens uses clean, plant-based nutrients to ensure the highest quality produce, making them a notable name in the vertical farming landscape.
19. Smallhold
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Smallhold is unique in vertical farming, focusing exclusively on specialty mushrooms like royal trumpet, maitake, and lions mane. Their products can be grown in small spaces, allowing for mini farms in grocery stores, restaurants, or even back corners of warehouses. Smallhold’s innovative approach to vertical farming highlights the diverse possibilities within the industry.
20. Soli Organic
Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
Soli Organic specializes in organic produce, including leafy greens, living herbs, and organic basil. Their products are grown in organic soil, ensuring the best taste without artificial pesticides or fertilizers. Soli Organic’s focus on organic farming practices and sustainability makes it a significant player in the vertical farming market.
21. Square Roots
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA; Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Square Roots offers fresh, local greens with a unique transparency solution that allows consumers to trace the life of their purchased greens. Despite recent layoffs and farm closures, Square Roots remains dedicated to providing high-quality produce and promoting sustainability within the food supply chain.
22. Spread
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Established in 2006, Spread is a leading vertical farming company in Asia. The company focuses on creating a sustainable society by improving productivity and reducing food waste. Spread’s vertical farming techniques ensure high-quality, year-round produce with minimal water usage and reduced food loss. Their products, including crispy and soft lettuce and sweet strawberries, are sold in over 4,500 grocery stores across Japan.
23. Vertical Harvest
Location: Jackson, Wyoming, USA
Vertical Harvest creates systems to produce fresh, local produce in urban settings. They grow microgreens, lettuce, and tomatoes in quarter-acre hydroponic farms and seek partnership opportunities to expand their reach. Vertical Harvest’s innovative approach to urban agriculture positions them as a leader in the vertical farming industry.
24. Vertical Roots
Location: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Vertical Roots offers fresh produce both directly to consumers and wholesale. Their products, including romaine and green butter lettuce, are available in over 1,800 retail grocery stores nationwide. Vertical Roots’ commitment to providing high-quality, locally-grown produce has made them a prominent name in vertical farming.
25. Village Farms International
Location: Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Village Farms International, traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol VFF, operates greenhouses in British Columbia and Texas and partners with greenhouses in Canada and Mexico. Their brands include Pure Sunfarms, Rose LifeScienceVie, and Balanced Health Botanicals. Village Farms’ extensive operations and commitment to controlled environment agriculture make them a key player in the vertical farming industry.
Conclusion
Vertical farming represents a revolutionary shift in agricultural practices, offering sustainable, efficient, and high-yield solutions to meet the growing global demand for food. Companies like Bowery Farming, BrightFarms, and Eden Green Technology are at the forefront of this movement, pioneering innovative techniques and technologies transforming urban agriculture. As these companies continue to expand and evolve, vertical farming is poised to play a crucial role in ensuring food security and environmental sustainability for future generations.
