Vertical farming is a method of controlled-environment crop production employing vertically stacked shelves using liquid nutrient solution and typically light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for lighting. Verticle farming enables local crop production that is safe, dependably consistent in producing maximum crop yields and quality throughout the year, does not use pesticides, consumes 80 percent less water than open-field cultivation, and does not require arable land, all while significantly curtailing both food wastes and food-transport greenhouse-gas emissions. Vertical farming constitutes an urban innovation that holds significant promise in fostering food security, resilience, and sustainability.
Dr. Joel Cuello
Professor of Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona
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