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"World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:25 pm
by BigBallinStalin
http://inhabitat.com/the-worlds-first-commercial-vertical-farm-opens-in-singapore/

(in Singapore, which is on the cutting edge).


The new farm is able to produce 1 ton of fresh veggies every other day, which are sold in local supermarkets.

The farm itself is made up of 120 aluminum towers that stretch thirty feet tall. Looking like giant greenhouses, the rows of plants produce about a half ton of veggies per day. Only three kinds of vegetables are grown there, but locals hope to expand the farm to include other varieties. The farm is currently seeking investors to help build 300 additional towers, which would produce two tons of vegetables per day. Although the $21 million dollar price tag is hefty, it could mean agricultural independence for the area.

The vertical farm veggies have become a big hit with the locals too. Although the produce costs 10 to 20 cents more than other veggies at the supermarket, consumers seemed eager to buy the freshest food possible – often buying out the market’s stock of vertical farm foods. This innovative vertical farm could help change the way the world eats, giving dense cities an opportunity to grow food in their own back yard.



I couldn't find out if they're being subsidized by the government or not, but this is pretty awesome. I imagine the major fruit and veggie exporters will get squeezed for more efficiency (and lower prices) as the vertical farms become more efficient and valuable.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:33 am
by Baron Von PWN
Very cool! I suspect there are subsidies though. 21 million is a pretty steep price. I wonder what 14 tons of veggies a month nets.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:32 am
by rdsrds2120
I knew it.

BMO

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:28 am
by MegaProphet
I'm surprised that they are the first. Good for them. The ability to grow food locally is a big step toward minimizing ones carbon footprint. I'm guessing they are using some form of aeroponic growing system.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 11:11 am
by AndyDufresne
They are probably the first on a mega scale, but definitely pretty cool.


--Andy

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:18 pm
by Army of GOD
who eats vegetables?

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:24 pm
by AndyDufresne
Army of GOD wrote:who eats vegetables?

If you never get power back, the Amish AoG will.


--Andy

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:46 pm
by Funkyterrance
This is interesting but not a very efficient way to farm.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:50 pm
by Army of GOD
AndyDufresne wrote:
Army of GOD wrote:who eats vegetables?

If you never get power back, the Amish AoG will.


--Andy


Actually I just cooked up some kielbasa over an open fire.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:54 pm
by BigBallinStalin
Funkyterrance wrote:This is interesting but not a very efficient way to farm.


Oh yeah, FunkyT? Compared to what? Growing some veggies on crap Singaporese soil? Don't think so!

BOO YA!!


(yeah, they could trade for it, but according to the article, there may be enough consumers to justify the expenditures of the vertical farm.)

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:58 pm
by Funkyterrance
BigBallinStalin wrote:
Funkyterrance wrote:This is interesting but not a very efficient way to farm.


Oh yeah, FunkyT? Compared to what? Growing some veggies on crap Singaporese soil? Don't think so!

BOO YA!!


(yeah, they could trade for it, but according to the article, there may be enough consumers to justify the expenditures of the vertical farm.)


lolz
Well if that's the case, then it could be a viable option and good for them. I'm curious to see how well this does once the novelty wears off? Or is there even a novelty factor involved?
I just know that for most regions it's more efficient to just grow the vegetables in the ground and haul them to the people.
Also, does anyone realize how long it will take to make back $21 million selling carrots and such at that rate? I should think by then we will have food replicators like on star trek.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:22 am
by BigBallinStalin
I find your lack of faith in entrepreneurship... disturbing.

(good questions. Time and the market will tell. So will their financial statements and insider knowledge, but we can only guess on that for now).

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:24 am
by 2dimes
You can grow carrots where I live. Bananas and peaches on the other hand need a longer warm season. While you're right that I could jump in to my wife's car or Avalanche to get some fresh peaches in August, I have not done so for over 6years. Have you ever had fresh peaches right off the tree? So good!!

Second Singapore is kind of crowded. Space for gardens is a bit more limited.

Sure this sucks for Terry's family's carrot farm but it might be a good idea for some corporations.

Re:

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:16 am
by DoomYoshi
2dimes wrote:You can grow carrots where I live. Bananas and peaches on the other hand need a longer warm season. While you're right that I could jump in to my wife's car or Avalanche to get some fresh peaches in August, I have not done so for over 6years. Have you ever had fresh peaches right off the tree? So good!!

Second Singapore is kind of crowded. Space for gardens is a bit more limited.

Sure this sucks for Terry's family's carrot farm but it might be a good idea for some corporations.


I live in Canada. I have a peach tree in the backyard. We only let a quarter million immigrants a year. So, for the rest of my life, everyone in Canada is pretty much guaranteed more space than all of Singapore.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:54 am
by 2dimes
What about bananas and coffee, growing much of those in your yard?

Re:

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:10 am
by DoomYoshi
2dimes wrote:What about bananas and coffee, growing much of those in your yard?


Not yet. Give a few years for Global Warming to catch up and I will be.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:12 am
by jimboston
Funkyterrance wrote:This is interesting but not a very efficient way to farm.


It may be efficient if you factor in the value of land in a major city... and if you had to factor in carbon offsets for transporting food from rural area to urban area.

This is a necessary first step on Earth's evolution to becoming Trantor.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:20 am
by 2dimes
DoomYoshi wrote:
2dimes wrote:What about bananas and coffee, growing much of those in your yard?


Not yet. Give a few years for Global Warming to catch up and I will be.

Right. Then you'll need these airconditioned towers to grow carrots most places above the water line without them catching on fire.

Re:

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:01 pm
by Funkyterrance
2dimes wrote:Sure this sucks for Terry's family's carrot farm but it might be a good idea for some corporations.


Watch where you're saying there, buddy. I'll have you know, carrots got my family through the war!



2dimes wrote:What about bananas and coffee, growing much of those in your yard?


Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think those vertical gardens can support trees...


But being in the carrot business, I know vertical gardening could produce some orange gold, just not enough to for me to invest away from my own very lucrative farm.

Image

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:12 pm
by 2dimes
That picture is pretty hot. Though I guess one could ramp it up given the props in use.

Re:

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:18 pm
by Funkyterrance
2dimes wrote:That picture is pretty hot. Though I guess one could ramp it up given the props in use.


Just one of my many employees, her name is Sylvia. Great worker. She brings in about 10,000 head of carrot every day. Ironically, she was imported from Singapore.

Re: "World's First Commercial Vertical Farm Opens"

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:19 pm
by AndyDufresne
I remember when square watermelons were the future.


--Andy

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:20 pm
by 2dimes
Funkyterrance wrote:Ironically, she was imported from Singapore.

What's that cost these days? I guess I should have stayed in School.

Sorry dad.

Re:

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:22 pm
by Funkyterrance
2dimes wrote:
Funkyterrance wrote:Ironically, she was imported from Singapore.

What's that cost these days?


Let's just say she payed for herself in the first week.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:44 pm
by 2dimes
:shock: