Key Takeaways:
- Tobias Peggs outlines Square Roots’ approach to sustainability, including carbon-conscious farm design and eco-friendly materials.
- Square Roots integrates proprietary software to improve crop production and reduce human error across its network.
- The company’s four-pillar impact strategy focuses on DEI, employee empowerment, sustainability, and community engagement.
- Peggs acknowledges current industry challenges but calls for resilience and product-market focus.
- “We’ve always thought about running Square Roots with a triple bottom line mindset,” said Tobias Peggs.
Tobias Peggs: Building Square Roots with Sustainability at the Core
Tobias Peggs, CEO and co-founder of Square Roots, shared insights into the company’s evolution and impact during a recent appearance on the Vertical Farming Podcast. From software tools to carbon-conscious infrastructure, Square Roots continues to refine its operations while navigating the broader industry downturn.
“We’ve always thought about running Square Roots with a triple bottom line mindset,” Tobias Peggs said. “So do it in a way that’s good for people, the planet, as well as profits.”
Tobias Peggs on Designing Greener Vertical Farms
As Square Roots scales its network of indoor farms, Peggs emphasized that sustainability goes beyond energy use. The company has reevaluated farm design, particularly around construction materials like steel and concrete.
“The steel that we use, the concrete that we use in the foundation pads… they’re pretty intense in terms of carbon emissions,” he said. “So now, as we think about future farms that we’re deploying, we’ve had to relook at the design.”
Square Roots is also shifting to recyclable and compostable packaging and optimizing freight logistics to reduce emissions across the supply chain.
Software at the Center of Operational Efficiency
A key innovation at Square Roots is its proprietary software platform, developed to streamline daily farming operations and enhance training for new growers.
“Can we grow initially, right?” Peggs asked. “And then, what software do we build to help train farmers and minimize human errors in day-to-day production?”
This platform now includes tools for quality control, real-time crop monitoring, and continuous learning—making the system more resilient and easier to scale.
Impact Strategy Anchored in Four Pillars
Square Roots has formalized its social and environmental mission through an internal impact strategy. According to Tobias Peggs, the four strategic pillars are:
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Employee Empowerment
- Environmental Sustainability
- Community Engagement
These goals inform hiring practices, farm siting, outreach programs, and sustainability metrics. “This has helped us stay focused on long-term value, even during periods of uncertainty,” Peggs said.
Staying the Course During Market Volatility
Tobias Peggs acknowledged the “trough of disillusionment” currently facing the vertical farming sector. He attributes part of this to broader macroeconomic pressures but remains optimistic.
“My advice to peers in the industry is: stay strong and focus on delivering products customers want,” he said. “That’s what will get us through this.”
As Square Roots continues refining its model, the company is positioning itself to scale responsibly while maintaining its environmental and social commitments.
