Vertical farms could take over the world | Hard Reset by Freethink

Summary

This video explores the innovative world of vertical farming, exemplified by Plenty's indoor farm in Wyoming. By growing crops vertically, using recycled water, and LED lighting, these farms offer a sustainable solution to traditional agriculture. With a focus on flavor and nutrition, vertical farming could revolutionize food production, reduce environmental impact, and potentially change diets and cuisines globally.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The concept of a futuristic indoor farm, likened to a potential Mars farm, is introduced as a model for the future of farming on Earth.
• 🌱 Vertical farming is presented as a solution to traditional farming's limitations, allowing for year-round growth in a controlled environment.
• 💧 The indoor farm recycles water, aiming for a sustainable approach by minimizing the use of natural resources.
• 🌍 The script discusses the historical impact of farming on the planet, highlighting the need for a new approach to meet dietary needs without further ecological damage.
• 🌱 Companies like Plenty are leading the way in making vertical farming mainstream, with the ability to condense large areas of farmland into smaller, more efficient spaces.
• 💡 The use of LEDs to replicate sunlight is a key technology that has made vertical farming more viable, with LEDs becoming more efficient and affordable.
• 🌿 Vertical farms can control environmental factors to optimize plant growth, leading to a significant increase in yield and improved flavor.
• 💰 The economic feasibility of vertical farming is discussed, with the cost of technology decreasing and the potential for high yields making it an attractive investment.
• 🌱 The script addresses the social impact of vertical farming, including job creation in communities and the potential to improve access to fresh produce in food deserts.
• 🌱 The potential for vertical farming to revolutionize diets and cuisines globally is explored, along with the ethical considerations of transitioning from traditional to indoor farming.

Q & A

What is the significance of the indoor farm in Wyoming mentioned in the script?

The indoor farm in Wyoming is significant because it represents one of the world's most advanced indoor farms, which could be a model for the future of farming on Earth, similar to what might be needed on Mars.

How does vertical farming differ from traditional farming?

Vertical farming involves growing crops upwards on stacked layers instead of the traditional horizontal method. It allows for year-round farming without the need for pesticides and with water recycling, making it a more sustainable and efficient approach.

What is the potential yield increase with vertical farming compared to traditional farming?

Vertical farming can result in a yield increase of about 700% by condensing the growth cycle and optimizing the use of space and resources, as mentioned in the script with Plenty's ability to condense 700 acres of farmland into a big box retail store size.

How does indoor farming with vertical stacks affect water usage?

Indoor vertical farming significantly reduces water usage by recirculating water through a closed system. The script explains that 99% of the water transpired by plants is captured and recirculated, saving about a million gallons of water per week.

What role do LEDs play in indoor vertical farming?

LEDs are used to replicate sunlight in indoor vertical farms, providing the necessary light for photosynthesis. The script highlights that advancements in LED technology have made vertical farming more economically viable due to increased efficiency and reduced costs.

How does Plenty's vertical farming approach impact the flavor and quality of produce?

Plenty's vertical farming allows for the control of environmental factors, leading to produce with enhanced flavor and quality. The script indicates that their produce is cleaner, more flavorful, and doesn't require washing due to the absence of pesticides and outdoor contaminants.

What are the environmental benefits of moving to indoor vertical farming as described in the script?

The environmental benefits include reduced land use, no need for pesticides, and significant water savings. The script suggests that this approach could help 'give back' land to nature and reduce humanity's extractive impact on the environment.

How does Plenty's vertical farming technology contribute to solving food desert issues?

Plenty's technology allows for local farming in communities, such as Compton, which is described as a food desert in the script. This can provide jobs and access to fresh produce in areas that traditionally lack such resources.

What are the potential global implications of adopting vertical farming on a large scale?

The script suggests that widespread adoption of vertical farming could lead to fresh produce being grown in arid or frigid regions, changing diets and cuisines worldwide, and potentially disrupting traditional farming communities and their identities.

How does Plenty's vertical farming model contribute to the idea of 'democratizing flavor'?

By focusing on quality over the ability to ship long distances, Plenty's model ensures that fresh, flavorful produce is available to consumers regardless of their location, as mentioned in the script. This approach levels the playing field for access to high-quality food.

What are the potential challenges and disruptions to traditional farming if vertical farming becomes the norm?

The script discusses the potential for significant disruption to traditional farming, including the loss of farming community identities and the need for a transition to new jobs in vertical farming facilities, which offer year-round employment.