Gloucestershire Vertical Farm Showcases
A cutting-edge indoor farm, known as a vertical farm, has recently opened in Gloucestershire, UK, showcasing advanced technology that enables salad cultivation three times faster than traditional outdoor agriculture due to its meticulously controlled climate. With its appearance more akin to a warehouse, the vertical farm features rows of trays stacked vertically, utilizing 14,500 square meters of growing space. The controlled environment maintains a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and around 75% humidity, creating optimal conditions for accelerated plant growth. The farm, operated by Jones Food Company, focuses on cultivating lettuce, basil, and other herbs under specialized lights, enabling year-round production and reducing reliance on imports during winter.
Head grower Glyn Stephens, who has a lifelong background in farming, emphasizes the facility’s stark departure from traditional methods, characterizing it as a “high-tech factory” marked by significant technological and engineering components. The vertical farm’s innovative approach seeks to address challenges faced by other facilities in the sector, particularly the high electricity costs that contributed to the financial struggles and closures of industry leaders like Aerofarms and Agricool.
Jones Food Company aims to achieve commercial success by fine-tuning climate control measures to minimize energy consumption. The facility relies on renewable electricity to power LED lights, ventilation, water circulation, and various climate control systems, offering protection from weather-related challenges and pests. Despite the potential environmental benefits of year-round local production, other vertical farms experienced setbacks due to financial and operational challenges.
The Gloucestershire-based farm, selling its salad bags for £1.25, claims to have “cracked the code” for sustainable year-round food production. By optimizing energy usage and maintaining competitive pricing, the vertical farm seeks to overcome challenges faced by its counterparts in the industry and establish a successful model for indoor farming.
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