Key Takeaways:
- Christine Zimmermann-Loessl leads the Association for Vertical Farming (AVF), an international nonprofit advocating for sustainable vertical farming.
- Her background in philosophy and political science has shaped her systems-level approach to food, health, and environmental policy.
- AVF aims to serve as a collaborative platform for companies, researchers, and institutions in the vertical farming industry.
- Technology alone is not enough—Christine emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with ecological awareness.
- The AVF chairwoman encourages greater cooperation in tackling global challenges such as climate change, overpopulation, and land degradation.
Christine Zimmermann-Loessl Reflects on Leading AVF and Bridging Sectors
Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Chairwoman of the Association for Vertical Farming (AVF), brings a unique perspective to the global indoor agriculture conversation. In a recent episode of the Vertical Farming Podcast, hosted by Harry Duran, she shared her journey from studying political science and Chinese medicine to leading one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in the vertical farming space.
“My father was an entrepreneur,” said Christine Zimmermann-Loessl. “So I grew up with that spirit of being independent and working in the framework that is set by myself—not by somebody else.”
This independent mindset, coupled with an interest in holistic systems, shaped her later involvement in vertical farming, which she sees as a meeting point between technology, biology, and global sustainability.
From Philosophy to Food Systems: Christine Zimmermann-Loessl’s Path
Zimmermann-Loessl founded AVF in the early 2010s alongside a group of pioneers and researchers who saw the need for a platform to connect stakeholders in the emerging vertical farming sector. While she did not come from an agricultural background, her skills in organization-building, legal structuring, and network facilitation allowed her to grow with the industry.
“In the beginning, I was really more in the back, setting up the legal and administrative framework,” she said. “That totally changed—but I had to grow into the field to really understand.”
Today, the AVF serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, policy advocacy, and global partnerships, working with universities, agribusinesses, and startups alike.
Technology, Nature, and the Role of Vertical Farming
Zimmermann-Loessl sees vertical farming as a critical response to multiple global crises: climate change, urbanization, and arable land loss.
“Technology is important,” she emphasized, “but please never forget that we are part of nature.”
She described vertical farming as a way to relieve pressure on land, improve food system resilience, and enable hyper-local production in both urban and remote contexts.
“Now, with vertical farming, all of that comes together for me with technology and biology. The marriage of these two important developments in our history is a decisive transformation,” Christine Zimmermann-Loessl added.
A Call for Collaboration Across the Industry
Throughout the conversation, Zimmermann-Loessl stressed that the vertical farming industry is still small—and therefore best served by collective effort.
“There were only a few people and institutions working in the space when we began,” she recalled. “The mandate was to raise awareness and build a cooperation platform so we could grow organically from there.”
As AVF continues its work across policy, education, and market development, she encourages new stakeholders to connect and contribute.
Get Involved in the Conversation
For entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies navigating vertical farming’s future, Christine Zimmermann-Loessl’s message is clear: the challenges ahead require unity and open dialogue.
If you’re looking to connect with others in the vertical farming ecosystem, join our network today to fast track your CEA growth. It’s a space for building relationships, finding collaborators, and staying informed on the latest innovations shaping the industry.
