Vertical Farming

Area 2 Farms Launches National Franchise Model for Urban Agriculture

Area 2 Farms secured $9 million in a funding round led by Slow Ventures and Seven Seven Six, with participation from ANIMO Ventures.
Image provided by Area 2 Farms

Key Takeaways

  • Area 2 Farms has finalized a new franchise framework to scale its urban soil-based farming model across the United States.
  • The company utilizes proprietary SILO and SOIL technologies to transform existing urban real estate into productive agricultural hubs.
  • A direct-to-consumer delivery model is central to the strategy, aiming to place farms within 10 miles of the communities they serve.
  • Franchising expert Paul Flick has joined as an advisor to oversee the transition from research and development to national scaling.
  • Area 2 Farms recently secured organic recertification and was recognized in the 2025 FoodTech 500.

Area 2 Farms: Scaling Urban Agriculture Through Franchising

Area 2 Farms, a specialist in urban organic agriculture, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking franchise model designed to expand its footprint nationwide. Unlike traditional hydroponic vertical farming, the company employs innovative soil-based techniques to grow a diverse range of vegetables, herbs, and greens.

By leveraging its proprietary SILO and SOIL technologies, Area 2 Farms enables franchisees to establish operational farms within available urban real estate. This approach is intended to address challenges related to food miles and nutrient degradation by ensuring produce is harvested and delivered locally, bypassing conventional long-haul distribution networks.

Strategic Leadership and Community Impact

To support this expansion, Area 2 Farms has appointed Paul Flick as a strategic advisor. Flick brings extensive experience in scaling franchise brands, which will be utilized to guide new farmers in adopting the company’s “Local For You” pillars. The model focuses on creating a “direct food ecosystem” where households receive weekly produce bundles directly from a farm in their immediate neighborhood.

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