Would You Eat Zucchini Grown in a Skyscraper?

A vertical farm design.

Photo: Chris Jacobs

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Vertical farming, those huge greenhouses in the sky, is a notion usually considered futuristic. But, the concept is gaining traction, or at least generating conversation. The New York Times reports that Scott M. Stringer, the Manhattan borough president, will be proposing a plan to take vertical farming into reality. New York is the latest in a line of cities whose officials have taken an interest in vertical farming, including Portland and Toronto.

The vertical farm concept was initially created by Dickson Despommier, a professor of public health at Columbia University. His proposal includes 30-story farm buildings that could feed 50,000 people. Each floor would house hydroponically grown crops or small livestock. His Website lists the many advantages of vertical farming, including solutions for many hot-topic concerns discussed today: Food prices would decrease because food that travels less costs less. Eating locally becomes easier when crops are grown in urban centers. Vertical farms would save crops from flooding and spare the use of pesticides; in a controlled environment these plants would not be at the mercy of weather and pests.

The many proposed designs for these farms are modern and sleek and a bit space-age looking. They would be uniquely designed for the city they would be built in. Despommier wants residents to say, "I want that in my backyard."

There is still plenty of skepticism about the benefits of vertical farming versus the costs. The high price of land, especially in big cities like New York City, must be considered as well as the high cost of creating these huge farms, estimated at $20 to $30 million. Even Dr. Despommier admits that the plans need work, so, unfortunately for those excited about vertical farming, getting your vegetables from the skyscraper next door might be years in the future.

If you're looking for an alternative for bringing farming into your city, rooftop or windowsill gardens might be the way to go for now.

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