As there are various types of farming in America which you can learn how to start, learning how to start vertical farming in United States is one of them. This particular kind of agricultural activity is highly profitable and easy to practice in that you do not have to secure a wide expanse of land before you can practice farming. In a seriously populated country such as America, farming may not be easy for every Dick and Harry that wish to go into that enterprise.
The only reason being the insufficiency of land. However, in the United States of America, vertical farming may then be the only feasible option for number of people that may have the zeal for the business of farming purposefully for its profitability and efficiency.
What then is vertical farming?
Vertical farming majorly involves the agricultural activities of planting crops above one another in vertical rows. This way, there is the truth that vertical farming helps to conserve space (because such farming is practiced indoor and not in open wide expanse of land) and enhances a higher crop yield per square foot of land used.
Another very important advantage of vertical farming is the fact that it helps the farmer put unfavorable weather conditions under control, thereby protecting the planted crops from harmful effects of the environmental pollution and inconsistency.
How to Start Vertical Farming in United States.
1. Identify Supply Chain and the Much Sellable Crop to Plant
Are you starting your own brand and selling directly to consumers in whatever way you choose? Or you just wanna be a sole supplier to restaurants, or supplying a market? This requires a rigorous assessment of your local demand to work out what people want or need and who your customers will be. This at least will help you identify your supply chain as one of the steps to knowing how to start vertical farming in United States.
Also, deciding which crop is sellable in your local area will make it easier to grow small to medium crops like microgreens (spinach, lettuce, kale and herbs), broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes and chilies. Many follow a 80% greens, 20% herbs breakdown.
2. Plan your Capital Loss and Profit Beforehand
Planning ahead of time how much you can lose or gain will definitely place you on a certain leverage that can help your venture. It is also a tenable approach in how to start vertical farming in the United States. Best practice is to prepare for one to two years of loss making. Vertical farms require up-front investment for set-up – the conditions you establish often take tweaking before you grow enough to be profitable.
3. Choose the Right Place for your Farming
Your physical location needs to fit your space needs and high energy needs. The geographic location is also vital – it’s essential to reduce costs after production; packaging and transport need to be minimal expenses, hence why many vertical farms are in urban centers.
4. Employ the Professional Service of Expertise or Learn How to Do it Yourself
Think about gaps in your knowledge, from the layout of your space to controlling the environment and the needs of your various crops. Jonny says, ‘Vertical farming programmes go bust because they spend a huge amount on the tech up front without getting the crop side of it right.’
5. Do not Do It Alone
It’ll be your biggest cost (between 50% and 80%). With automation only suitable for large operations, think about how many hands you’ll need during the stages of growing, harvesting and distributing. If you work solo, harvesting demands may mean days off are a thing of the past.
The Future of Vertical Farming in the United States of America
The future of vertical farming in the USA is without mincing word going to be a truly desired one as almost everyone who shows interest in farming may have to embrace the venture regardless of many of its possible side costs as its low cost of production, bountiful and lasting harvest yields, etc. will have covered for all of those cons.
