Although vertical farming requires further research regarding the potential effects on employment and food security in rural, agriculturally based communities, it can be a sustainable, technology-rich approach that can mitigate adverse environmental impacts caused by the agriculture industry while providing secure food options for a growing urban population. Food products are grown in an indoor, vertical stacking system independent of climate and weather patterns. It is sustainable because it uses significantly less land and water than open-field farms, and it does not require pesticides or herbicides. Vertical farming is an innovative system that uses technology to control factors such as light, temperature, CO2concentration, and nutrients to produce higher yields and nutritious, fresh products. Because of these factors, there is a substantially reduced risk of losing crops due to climate change, no soil erosion or surface run-off, and the distance for transporting products to consumers may be less. Thus, the agriculture industry can implement vertical farming to shift food production to become more sustainable for the environment and protect the biodiversity of our ecosystems. This thesis analyzes several critical dimensions of the vertical farming system, including the production, technology, opportunities, implementation into urban economies, and the factors requiring improvement or further research. The thesis also compares vertical farming to traditional open-field farming practices.
