Tuesday 28 February 2017

Vertical Farming: Toward the Future

Vertical farming has started to find its own space among growing methods. This month on the Produce Talks podcast, we are joined by Greg Veinott, Manager of Business Development for GoodLeaf Farms, based in Bible Hill, NS. In our conversation, we explore the specifics around indoor vertical farming, including technology, unique characteristics of the plants, and how this method of growing could affect the future of the produce industry.




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Show Notes:

0:21
Greg provides a description of the physical layout of GoodLeaf Farms in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia.
1:31
What makes a good location or building for a vertical farm?
2:33
Making sure to closely monitor what comes in and out of a vertical farm.
3:45
Controlling pests and disease in a controlled environment system
5:06
The product that makes sense to grow with a vertical farm.
7:00
Will we ever see a Vertical Farm growing strawberries?
7:58
The costs of production factoring into choosing to grow vertically
9:09
Why do all pictures of vertical farms look red/purple?
10:31
How light affects the plant development - taste, texture, and rate of growth.
11:55
Interactions and ties between research and development at GoodLeaf Farms and Dalhousie University
13:43
Why is GoodLeaf succeeding in an area where a lot of people have failed? Why are they successful with their vertical farming operation?
15:20
How do vertically grown products compare tastewise to a traditionally grown product?
16:44
How consumers are reacting to vertically grown product.
18:08
Will we ever see skyscrapers growing food in dense urban areas?
20:35
Can vertical farming help with food insecurity issues in the north?
21:53
What is the future of vertical farming, and what is the catalyst that will drive it?