Key Takeaways:
- Launch of Vertical Farming: Siemens’ Frankfurt branch has introduced vertical farming within its employee restaurant, using crops grown on-site for meal preparation.
- Employee Initiative: The project was selected through an employee ideas competition, part of the Siemens Future Fund, highlighting a strong focus on sustainability and employee engagement.
- Controlled Environment Agriculture: Leveraging controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology, the initiative aims for efficient resource use and pesticide-free produce.
- Technological Application: Advanced control technology from Siemens and a management app from greenhub solutions are key to automating the growth process and optimizing plant care.
- Expansion and Impact: Starting with sprouted vegetables, basil, and pak choi, there are plans to broaden the variety of crops, underlining the project’s potential for wider industry influence.
Introduction of In-House Vertical Farming
At the Siemens branch in Frankfurt’s Gateway Gardens, a new venture into vertical farming marks a significant move towards sustainability. This initiative, primarily serving the branch’s employee restaurant, underscores a broader trend of integrating agricultural practices into corporate environments, with an eye towards sustainability and innovation.
Originating from Employee Innovation
The inception of the vertical farming project can be traced back to an employee ideas competition, emphasizing the Siemens Future Fund’s objective to foster a learning organization adept at navigating structural change. This initiative stands out for its grassroots origin, showcasing a collective commitment to sustainable development and skill enhancement.
Technical Foundations of the Farming Model
This venture utilizes controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology to cultivate plants year-round under optimal conditions, minimizing water usage and bypassing the need for pesticides. Central to this operation are Siemens’ sophisticated control technology and greenhub solutions’ farm management application, which automate essential processes like watering and lighting alongside optimizing plant growth through data analytics.
Broader Implications and Future Directions
Initially focusing on various plants, the project anticipates expanding its crop diversity. This initiative improves the gastronomic experience within Siemens’ premises and serves as a testament to the potential of integrating sustainable agricultural practices within corporate settings. The move has garnered attention, suggesting a scalable model for similar ventures across the food industry.
Image provided by Siemens
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