Key Takeaways
- Nona Yehia, CEO and co-founder of Vertical Harvest, discusses the intersection of food justice, inclusive employment, and vertical farming.
- The company’s “Grow Well” model focuses on meeting local workforce needs while producing healthy, high-quality food.
- Vertical Harvest’s expansion strategy emphasizes transparency, diversity, and innovation in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
- Yehia explains how technology is used not just to boost production, but to empower people and support sustainable growth.
- The conversation highlights the importance of mission-driven leadership and building resilient, community-focused agtech businesses.
Nona Yehia on Food Justice and the Future of CEA
In a wide-ranging conversation, Nona Yehia explores how Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) can address deeper social issues such as food access and economic inclusion. As CEO and co-founder of Vertical Harvest, Yehia views vertical farming not just as a production system, but as a platform for equity and empowerment.
“Our mission has always been about more than food,” she shared. “It’s about people, community, and designing systems that uplift both.”
Yehia emphasizes the need for intersectional dialogue in AgTech — connecting conversations around food security, disability inclusion, and workforce development.
Vertical Harvest’s Expansion and the “Grow Well” Model
As Nona Yehia outlines, Vertical Harvest’s growth is guided by a people-first philosophy. The company’s proprietary Grow Well Employment Model aligns hiring and career development with community needs, prioritizing inclusion of individuals with disabilities and other underserved populations.
Each new facility is tailored to the needs of its surrounding community, combining hyper-local food production with meaningful job creation. “It’s not just about building a greenhouse,” Yehia explained. “It’s about building opportunity.”
Technology as a Tool for Empowerment
While CEA is often associated with yields, efficiency, and innovation, Yehia stressed that technology at Vertical Harvest serves a broader function: empowering people. Whether it’s optimizing climate controls or streamlining workflows, the goal is to augment human capability, not replace it.
“Smart tech should support smart teams,” Yehia said. “We want to create systems where people and production grow together.”
By embracing automation selectively and transparently, Vertical Harvest is focused on scalable solutions that balance cost-effectiveness with its core values.
Nona Yehia on Industry Challenges and Leadership Transparency
Nona Yehia acknowledges the complexities of the vertical farming sector — from funding constraints to labor dynamics. For her, transparency is key to navigating these growing pains and building lasting trust across stakeholders.
Vertical Harvest’s commitment to open communication — with staff, partners, and customers — has helped the company remain adaptable. “There’s no roadmap for this industry,” she noted. “But we can lead with values and evolve with intention.”
Looking Ahead: Purpose-Driven Growth in Vertical Farming
As Vertical Harvest scales, Nona Yehia envisions a model where innovation, inclusion, and impact move in lockstep. With more communities facing challenges related to food access and economic equity, she sees vertical farming as part of a broader solution — provided companies stay grounded in their missions.
“The future of farming is local, equitable, and transparent,” she concluded. “And we have to build it that way — one farm, one community at a time.”
Listen or Watch The Entire Episode With Nona Yehia Below
