What do you do when you want fresh produce, but there’s no farmland for miles around? Look for a TerraFarm!
What is it?
TerraFarm is a mobile, vertical farm inside a shipping container, made by Local Roots Farms. Through hydroponics, one TerraFarm can grow as much food as five acres of farmland.
The plants are arranged on vertical shelves under LED lights which glow in psychedelic shades of purple. The whole unit is controlled with an HVAC system designed to keep the plants at optimal growing temperatures.
One TerraFarm operates at peak efficiency, eliminating water waste by recycling any moisture not absorbed by the plants.
Why does it matter?
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With as many people as there are in the world, it will inevitably be difficult to find enough land to grow food for everyone.
Shipping containers are a potential solution to this, as they can be refrigerated, are easy to move, and the temperature inside of them can be easily controlled.
When is it coming?
TerraFarms are available for deployment to places such as hospitals, restaurants, and hotels, though you must partner with the company in order to gain access. Produce grown by Local Roots is currently only available in Southern California, though its website says it may expand its network in future.
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