Looking to 2025 and Beyond: Hybrid Vertical Farms
A row of romaine lettuce at the Eden Green facility in Cleburne, Tx.
Excerpt from the CEAg World article:
After captivating investors, media and consumers early on, vertical farming has endured some very public and painful growing pains, as noted by our interviewees below. However, there have always been bright spots in this sector of the controlled-environment agriculture industry — and it seems that a “reset” is underway.
Of special interest as we look ahead are hybrid vertical farms, whose innovations combine the best aspects of vertical and greenhouse production. For insights into the present and future of hybrid vertical growing, CEAg World reached out to Eddy Badrina, CEO of Texas-based Eden Green Technology, and Arik Griffin, Director of Farm Systems & Technology for Vertical Harvest Farms, headquartered in Wyoming.
CEAg World: What is the most significant issue you see facing the greenhouse produce industry?
Eddy Badrina: Right now, a big challenge for the greenhouse produce industry and CEA startups in general is attracting outside investments. The industry has not had the best track record, as some CEA companies have struggled to obtain profitability, which has led to multiple high-profile bankruptcies. Consequently, there is more pressure to become profitable quickly and growing hesitancy from investors. Eden Green is focusing on strengthening the unit economics of each greenhouse, demonstrating profitability at the plant level.