Circular Economy & The Role Indoor Farms Have

Indoor Farming and Resource Efficiency

Indoor farming can potentially reduce traditional agriculture’s environmental impact in several ways. By bringing specific crop production into controlled environments such as greenhouses, warehouses, and vertical farms, indoor farming can minimize land use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

1. Minimizing Land Use: Indoor farming can use space more efficiently than traditional agriculture. Vertical farming, for example, stacks layers of crops on top of one another, allowing for high crop yields in small areas. This can help to reduce deforestation and habitat destruction, as well as minimize soil degradation and erosion. By utilizing urban spaces, indoor farms can also reduce the need to transport agricultural products, further conserving land resources.
2. Reducing the Use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides: Indoor farming allows for precise nutrient delivery to plants through hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic systems. These systems require fewer chemical inputs, reducing pollution and the risk of groundwater contamination and lowering the chances of creating pesticide-resistant pests. Furthermore, indoor farming eliminates the need for herbicides, as weeds do not thrive in controlled environments.
3. Water Conservation: Indoor farming typically uses recirculating systems that recapture and reuse water. This reduces water consumption and minimizes water pollution associated with agricultural runoff. By using up to 90% less water than traditional agriculture, indoor farming can significantly alleviate the pressure on freshwater resources.
4. Enhanced Biodiversity: By taking up less land, indoor farming can help preserve natural habitats and promote biodiversity. Moreover, reducing pesticide and fertilizer use has positive implications for nearby ecosystems, as it minimizes the risk of toxic chemicals harming wildlife.

Indoor Ag and Local Food Systems

As the world’s population grows and urban areas expand, the need for sustainable and efficient food systems becomes more pressing. Indoor farming, also known as vertical farming or controlled-environment agriculture, is one solution that has the potential to address food security concerns and positively impact the local economy.

One of the main advantages of indoor farming is that it can be located in urban areas, bringing fresh produce to communities that may otherwise have limited access to it. This improves access to healthy food for residents and creates job opportunities in the community. In addition, indoor farming operations, such as technicians, engineers, and managers, require skilled labor to operate and maintain the facilities. This can provide job opportunities for individuals with a wide range of skill sets, from those with technical expertise to those with experience in sales and marketing. In addition, expanding indoor farming in an area can attract other businesses and investment, further stimulating economic growth.

For instance, Governor Glenn Youngkin reported in a press release that AeroFarms will create sixty-six additional jobs and increase freshly-grown leafy greens production as part of a significant operational expansion of its new vertical farm in Pittsylvania County. This farm, a 138,670 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, would be considered “the largest in the world of its kind.” These new hiring commitments are in addition to the 92 jobs pledged previously to be located in Cane Creek Centre, a joint industrial park owned by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. This expansion is driven by the company’s decision to expand production to meet increased customer demand. Virginia successfully competed against other states for the project.

Furthermore, indoor farming can generate revenue for the local government by generating taxes and fees. The facilities and equipment used in indoor farming can also stimulate the demand for local goods and services, such as construction, engineering, and electric power. Additionally, indoor farming can help to diversify the local economy, making it less vulnerable to external economic forces. This is particularly important in areas heavily dependent on a single industry.

Indoor farming can also positively impact the local food supply chain by reducing the need for long-distance production transportation. This can lead to fresher, higher-quality food for consumers and reduce transportation’s environmental impact. Additionally, indoor farming can provide a stable and consistent food source, even during natural disasters or other disruptions to traditional outdoor agriculture. This can be particularly beneficial for communities prone to extreme weather events.

Indoor farming can also provide an opportunity for community engagement and education. Many indoor farms offer tours and educational programs, which can help to raise awareness about sustainable food systems and the benefits of indoor farming. Indoor farming can also grow various crops, including leafy greens, herbs, and microgreens. This can give consumers a broader range of options and opportunities for local chefs and restaurants to source fresh, locally-grown ingredients.

For instance, BrightFarms: This indoor farm company, which operates several farms across the US, offers tours of its facilities to schools, community groups, and other organizations. During the tours, visitors can learn about the technology and methods used in indoor farming and see the crops being grown.

Indoor farming can be a valuable tool for urban agriculture. In the context of urban planning, repurposing abandoned buildings or vacant lots for farming can revitalize neighborhoods, increase green spaces, and create more livable cities. Additionally, indoor farming can also be used to grow crops not typically grown in a particular area, such as tropical fruits or out-of-season vegetables; this can provide a unique selling point for local farmers and help increase the diversity of the local food system.

Agriplay is a Canadian company that converts underutilized commercial real estate into vertical farms. They use versatile and modular technology to enable solutions designed by their team or sourced from partnering companies. They use commercial real estate because it has fewer issues than industrial properties, requires less long-term commitment, more scalability, less scarcity, and less planning. They can re-purpose real estate quickly and efficiently, reducing their capital expenditures (CAPEX) to lower levels than traditional vertical farms; this allows them to reach profitable levels relatively quickly. They also get incentives from the City of Calgary which helps them.

Challenges of Indoor Farming in the Circular Economy

Indoor farming can be a valuable component of the circular economy, as it can help reduce waste and promote resource efficiency. However, several challenges need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of indoor farming in the circular economy.

One of the main challenges is the disposal of organic waste generated by indoor farming facilities. While indoor farming can be a more efficient way of producing food, it still generates organic waste that must be disposed of sustainably. One solution is to use the waste as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for other crops or to create biogas through anaerobic digestion. This can help to close the loop and reduce the environmental impact of indoor farming.

Another challenge is the energy consumption of indoor farming facilities. While indoor farms can be more energy-efficient than traditional agriculture, they still require significant energy to power lighting, heating, and cooling systems. To address this challenge, indoor farms can use renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power or explore new technologies such as vertical farming with natural light. Additionally, indoor farms can explore energy-efficient building designs and insulation materials to reduce energy consumption.

Policy Considerations for Integrating Indoor Farming

Integrating indoor farming into the circular economy requires policy considerations that support sustainable practices and promote resource efficiency. Some key policy considerations include:

1. Regulation: Indoor farming facilities must adhere to strict environmental and food safety regulations to ensure their practices are sustainable and safe for consumers. Policymakers must work to develop regulations that promote circularity, such as requirements for the use of renewable energy sources or mandates for the recycling or reuse of inputs and waste.
2. Incentives: Policymakers can incentivize indoor farming operators to adopt more sustainable practices. For example, tax credits or subsidies can be offered for using renewable energy sources or implementing waste reduction strategies. This can help to make sustainable practices more financially viable for indoor farming operators.
3. Education and outreach: Policymakers can play a role in educating the public and indoor farming operators about the benefits of circularity and sustainable practices. This can include developing outreach programs and educational resources that promote best practices and provide information on the environmental and economic benefits of indoor farming.
4. Collaboration: Policymakers can facilitate collaboration between indoor farming operators, waste management companies, and other stakeholders in the circular economy to promote resource efficiency and reduce waste. This can include developing partnerships or networks encouraging sharing of resources and information and developing new technologies or business models promoting circularity.

By addressing these policy considerations, policymakers can help to ensure that indoor farming is integrated into the circular economy sustainably and effectively. This can help to promote resource efficiency, reduce waste, and build a more sustainable food system.

Photo by Josh Power on Unsplash