Vertical Farming Podcast

Overview

Episodes

Details

Vertical farming is a revolutionary approach to produce production leveraging controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and systems in innovative ways. It facilitates production of huge quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food without relying on favorable weather, high water usage, skilled labor, and high soil fertility. This ensures reliable yield and consistency in crop production year-round with climate control, and no effects of external environment factors such as diseases, pests, or predator attacks. Join Harry Duran, Host of the Apple-recommended Podcast Junkies and Founder of FullCast, as he explores the world of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). Tune in every week for fascinating conversations with CEOs, Founders and luminaries from the exciting and fast-growing world of Vertical Farming. If you've been interested in the world of Indoor AgTech and want to hear inspiring stories from the innovators on the frontlines of this fast-moving industry, then this most definitely the show for you! Subscribe and learn more by visiting http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/

Recent Episodes

APR 4, 2025

S12E160 Oliver Rotko/Arctic Farming - Revolutionizing Restaurants: Herbie’s Innovative Indoor Farm Solution

Ever wondered how to navigate the challenges of indoor farming and create successful products in this evolving industry? Oliver Rotko, CEO of Plant TUI and Arctic Farming, shares his journey and insights into the world of vertical farming.

I sat down with Oliver to discuss his unique path from business student to indoor farming innovator. He revealed how his experiences in B2B sales, marketing, and even watchmaking contributed to his success in developing cutting-edge vertical farming solutions. Oliver's story is a testament to the power of patience, market research, and customer-centric product development.

We delved into the development of Arctic Farming's flagship product, Herbie, a sleek and efficient indoor farming unit designed for the hospitality industry. Oliver explained the careful considerations behind its design, from the choice of materials to the user interface, all informed by extensive customer feedback and market testing. He also shared insights into the company's expansion into the consumer market with the acquisition of Plantui, a award-winning desktop hydroponic system.

Throughout our conversation, Oliver emphasized the importance of taking a measured approach to growth in the vertical farming industry. He highlighted the need for patience, both from investors and entrepreneurs, and the value of learning from industry failures. We also touched on Arctic Farming's exciting ventures into space agriculture and the company's unique "Earth first, space second" strategy.

If you're interested in the future of food production, sustainable agriculture, or entrepreneurship in emerging industries, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation with Oliver Rotko. Tune in to gain valuable lessons from a leader at the forefront of indoor farming innovation.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

5:53 Importance of video marketing for CEOs

13:30 AI tools revolutionizing content creation

16:19 Early days of Arctic Farming development

21:53 Herbie: Innovative restaurant-grade vertical farm

27:41 Switching from aeroponics to fogponics

34:53 Space ambitions and Earth-first strategy

37:52 Acquiring Plantui: Consumer-focused hydroponic system

43:18 Motivation behind pursuing indoor farming

Tweetable Quotes

"We've taken it incredibly slow, gathering feedback, meanwhile seeing all these bankruptcies, for example, from infarm, learning from them, interviewing the insiders, interviewing their ex investors, interviewing their customer suppliers and so on, and kind of feeding all of that information and learnings from the customers, from the industry, from experts like you back into the product."

"Why do we do this? To be honest, I had a wonderful conversation with a colleague from the US where the standard greeting that we have is, how are you doing? Fine, thank you. And as well as you can do as an indoor farming startup or entrepreneur, it's. This is the most difficult industry that I can imagine getting into."

"Just seeing the iterative progress with a product that you have designed from zero, literally scratch, is the most rewarding feeling that you can have."

Resources Mentioned

Website - https://www.arcticfarming.io/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverrotko/

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

🎙️🎙️🎙️

Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

56 MIN

MAR 28, 2025

S12E159 Conner Tidd/Just Vertical - Democratizing Indoor Farming: Mission Unveiled

Have you ever wondered how to grow fresh produce year-round, even in the harshest climates? I sat down with Conner Tidd, co-founder and CEO of Just Vertical, to discuss the innovative world of indoor farming and how it's changing the way we think about food production. Conner's journey into vertical farming began with a desire to make a tangible impact on food security and sustainability. With a background in environmental law and restaurant experience, he saw the potential for indoor farming to address issues of food waste and accessibility. Just Vertical started as an academic project and evolved into a company offering both consumer and commercial vertical farming solutions.

We delved into the challenges of developing user-friendly indoor farming systems, from early prototypes built with Home Depot materials to sleek, furniture-like designs that fit seamlessly into homes. Conner emphasized the importance of making vertical farming technology accessible and easy to use, whether for home growers or large-scale commercial operations.

The conversation also touched on Just Vertical's expansion into commercial projects, including partnerships with educational institutions and humanitarian efforts. Conner shared insights on the future of vertical farming, the need for innovation in seed development, and the importance of collaboration within the industry.

If you're curious about the future of food production and how vertical farming could revolutionize agriculture, don't miss this enlightening conversation with Conner Tidd. Listen now to gain valuable insights into the world of indoor farming and its potential to address global food challenges.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

5:09 Conner’s restaurant experience and food waste

10:55 Origin story of Just Vertical

21:23 Variety of crops grown on living walls

25:01 Accessibility and ease of use focus

29:48 Global projects and ideal farming partners

33:56 Innovation in vertical farming seeds

36:18 Addressing AeroGarden closure and industry outlook

Tweetable Quotes

"We always say everything's fixable as long as we know about it. And that's, you know, we emphasize that with employees now. But even early days, like the first few indoor gardens we sold, like, watch the leak, they spilled onto people's floors. Like we short circuited stuff. The worst thing we could have done would have been to kind of shirk responsibility and try and hide from those customer calls."

"Our big thing that we always push is accessibility and easy use in this technology. We view our role as understanding all the really cool science that goes into making great LED lights, great control systems, great nutrients and integrating that into a package that is easy for farmers to use and grow with."

"We span the education sphere from kindergarten all the way through PhD research. With little kids it's often just about showing them where food comes from and it's not just from the grocery store and getting hands-on experience. So education is a great venue. It's something people are really interested in and we're happy to be part of it because it really drives the industry as well."

Resources Mentioned

Website - https://justvertical.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/connertidd/

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

🎙️🎙️🎙️

Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Mentioned in this episode:

AgTech Companies

https://agtechcompanies.com

2025 US Indoor Farm Report

http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/report

48 MIN

MAR 21, 2025

S12E158 Kirk Taylor/Land Betterment - From Abandoned Mines to Thriving Farms: Vision

Ever wondered how to revitalize struggling communities while promoting sustainable practices? I had the pleasure of speaking with Kirk Taylor, co-founder of Land Betterment Corporation, about their innovative approach to community development and sustainable agriculture. Kirk's background in accounting and finance, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, led him to tackle the challenges faced by transitioning communities in areas like Kentucky, West Virginia, and southern Indiana.

We discussed Land Betterment's unique projects, including the transformation of abandoned industrial sites into housing solutions and the development of container-based farms in partnership with Anu. Kirk explained how their 20-foot shipping container farms, equipped with advanced automation technology, are revolutionizing local food production. These compact, efficient units are being deployed in various settings, from restaurants and grocery stores to universities, addressing food security issues and promoting education in sustainable agriculture.

Throughout our conversation, Kirk emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and community-driven solutions. He shared examples of how Land Betterment works closely with local communities to identify their needs and develop tailored solutions, whether it's creating affordable housing or repurposing land for agricultural use. We also touched on the company's involvement in sustainable fertilizer recycling and their commitment to circular economy principles.

If you're interested in innovative approaches to community development, sustainable agriculture, or the intersection of business and social impact, you won't want to miss this episode. Tune in to hear Kirk Taylor's insights on creating positive change through entrepreneurship and technology.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

11:31 ReElement Technologies: Recycling battery elements

16:31 Innovative housing solutions using shipping containers

22:20 Partnership with Anu for container farming

28:43 Applications for container farms in various industries

34:34 Building a diverse board for Land Betterment

39:50 Balancing opportunities and allocating time effectively

Tweetable Quotes

"We understood that we were not a nonprofit. We wanted to create a business that made sense financially. But we also wanted our investors and our partners to understand that we were making decisions not just for their return, but to maximize the return of all our stakeholders."

"The challenge with any farming is external environment and human error. We solve the external environment by doing it inside a shipping container. Our competition doesn't solve for the human error component, but the Anu team does."

"I think that everybody has the ability to make something out of themselves and be proud of what they do. Not everybody realizes that. By providing direct roadmaps, direct opportunity for these community members, we can give them the steps that they can walk up on their own."

Resources Mentioned

Website - https://www.landbetterment.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkptaylor/

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

🎙️🎙️🎙️

Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Mentioned in this episode:

2025 US Indoor Farm Report

http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/report

AgTech Companies

https://agtechcompanies.com

53 MIN

MAR 7, 2025

S11E157 Mat Halter/TerraFerm - Transforming Beer Waste into Vertical Farm Gold

Ever wondered how beer brewing could revolutionize vertical farming? Mat Halter, founder of TerraFerm, is turning brewery waste into a game-changing resource for indoor agriculture.

Mat Halter, a plant scientist turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from researching biofuels to developing an innovative system that captures CO2 from brewery fermentation for use in vertical farms. His patented technology promises to significantly boost crop yields while reducing carbon footprints.

In this episode, Mat discusses the challenges of bringing a new idea to market, from conducting initial experiments to seeking partnerships with breweries. He reveals how his spinach trials resulted in an astounding 89% increase in yield, far surpassing typical carbon dioxide enrichment results.

We also explore the intersection of craft beer culture and sustainable agriculture, Mat's approach to team building as a first-time founder, and the potential for this technology to transform both the brewing and farming industries.

If you're curious about innovative solutions in sustainable agriculture or the unexpected synergies between different industries, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how Mat Halter is brewing up a greener future for vertical farming.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

5:37 Early career in plant science and biofuels

10:43 Initial idea for carbon dioxide enrichment

15:36 Patent process and prototype development

21:40 Current status and plans for pilot project

27:51 Challenges as a first-time founder

32:32 Building a team and seeking mentorship

36:07 Potential brewery partnerships and marketing

38:38 Where to learn more about TerraFerm

Tweetable Quotes

"The advantage we have is, in theory, a never-ending supply. So we can use carbon dioxide enrichment at whatever set point we want - high, low, medium, whatever. We can take it as high as metabolically the plants will allow."

"What am I missing? Again, I am a first-time founder. This is the first business I've started. What don't I know? I don't know what I don't know. It's a constant battle to learn more about strategies for starting a business, for seeking funding."

"San Diego is a great place to be for beer. There's a lot of small to medium range breweries out here. Very high density. I'm hoping to make contact with a couple of them and eventually find one that sees the vision I have for this and wants to come along."

Resources Mentioned

Website - https://www.terra-ferm.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-halter-082043a3/

X - https://x.com/TerraFerm_Ag

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/terraferm_agtech/

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

🎙️🎙️🎙️

Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Mentioned in this episode:

Indoor AgCon 2025

Indoor AgCon 2025

2025 US Indoor Farm Report

http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/report

AgTech Companies

https://agtechcompanies.com

48 MIN

FEB 21, 2025

S11E156 Rick Langille/Harvest Today - Harvest Wall 2.0: Engineering the Next Generation of Farming

Ever wondered how vertical farming could revolutionize food production and make fresh, flavorful produce more accessible? In this enlightening conversation with Rick Langille, CEO of Harvest Today, we explore the cutting-edge developments in vertical farming technology and their potential impact on the future of agriculture.

Rick shares exciting updates on Harvest Today's progress, including the launch of their Shopify site and upcoming innovations in their Harvest Wall system. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and customer-centric approaches in the vertical farming industry, highlighting the need for diverse crop solutions beyond just lettuce or strawberries. Rick's insights into the company's expansion into international markets, particularly in India and the Middle East, showcase the global potential of their technology.

We delve into Harvest Today's partnerships and technological advancements, such as their collaboration with Ecoplume for AI-driven plant growth monitoring and their work with Rooted Robotics for automated cleaning solutions. Rick also discusses the company's plans for cost reduction, including strategic manufacturing decisions and the potential establishment of a private equity fund to support farmers.

If you're curious about the future of sustainable agriculture and how vertical farming is evolving to meet global food demands, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain valuable insights from an industry leader and learn how Harvest Today is working to make fresh, flavorful produce more accessible through innovative vertical farming solutions.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

5:05 Industry outlook and diversifying crop offerings

9:43 Harvest Wall's unique microbiome approach

15:28 Navigating challenges and maintaining patience

20:13 Manufacturing partnerships and cost reduction strategies

25:31 Developing a super app for wellness

31:00 Success story of small-scale vertical farm

Tweetable Quotes

"We need to be much more broad spectrum. We need to be able to address diets that are more than lettuce."

"The harvest wall was really based around the plant biology of rooted plants. Because as we vertically irrigate or we use hydroponic technology in order to feed plants, hydroponics never allows a true microbiome to get going."