Social Impact Is the Big Priority at This Vertical Farm
Surrounded by the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges, the town of Jackson, Wyoming, probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of fresh, local produce. But locally grown veggies are exactly what you’ll find if you venture to a one-tenth acre site in the heart of the town. It’s here, on a town-owned infill lot, that Vertical Harvest has built a state of the art, hydroponic greenhouse dedicated to cultivating vertically grown produce year-round.
The story of Vertical Harvest isn’t so unusual. Although major vertical farming startups tend to be concentrated in a few key areas — namely, New York City and California — more and more small and mid-sized cities across the US are turning to vertical farming as a way to boost food security, increase access to fresh produce, and build local communities and economies.
However, there’s one thing in particular that sets Vertical Harvest apart from other similar enterprises: about half of its employees are people who are living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Vertical Harvest, therefore, is not only dedicated to growing fresh, local produce, but also to growing opportunities and acceptance for these underserved and often marginalized people. Read on for a closer look at this unique company and its innovative work.
What is Vertical Harvest all about?
A public/private partnership with the Town of Jackson and the State of Wyoming, Vertical Harvest is a three-story, 13,500-square-foot greenhouse that uses hydroponic farming methods to produce a remarkable 100,000 pounds of fresh produce every year. This amounts to about five acres’ worth of vegetables being grown on a one-tenth acre site. Tall and narrow in design, the three stacked greenhouses each have a different microclimate, allowing the facility to grow a range of plants from lettuces to vine-based crops. Produce is sold to local grocery stores and restaurants, as well as directly to consumers through on-site sales.
Beyond the logistics of its farming operations, Vertical Harvest is committed to providing opportunities for local residents with different abilities. The organization works in collaboration with CULTIVATE, a Wyoming-based non-profit that supports educational opportunities and inclusive employment for people with IDD. Vertical Harvest engages people with IDD in meaningful work and helps the Jackson community understand more about the special and unique abilities of people who are more often defined by what they can’t do.
How did Vertical Harvest get started?
From the beginning of the project, Vertical Harvest co-founders Nona Yehia, Penny McBride, and Caroline Croft Estay were committed to making a place where people with IDD could participate in meaningful work. Prior to founding Vertical Harvest, Estay was working as an employment facilitator for clients with IDD; Yehia was inspired by her brother, who also has different abilities. McBride, a strong sustainability advocate in Jackson, had long had a desire to create a greenhouse in the town. When she connected with Yehia, an architect, and later with Estay, the vision for what Vertical Harvest could and should be became clear. For those interested in learning more about the origins of Vertical Harvest, the story is told in a captivating documentary called Hearts of Glass, which recounts the events of the company’s first year.
Why is Vertical Harvest important?
Vertical Harvest meets the needs of Jackson in two very important ways. Firstly, it helps the town reduce its dependence on imported produce: with a growing season that is only four months long, due to its altitude and challenging climate, Jackson must bring in most of its fresh produce by truck, often over long distances. Secondly, while the US may have made progress when it comes to education for people with IDD, as Yehia states, there are still very few opportunities for these people in the world of employment. In Wyoming alone, people with different abilities have a 78% unemployment rate. Vertical Harvest helps address this troubling statistic by creating opportunities where people with IDD can work in an inclusive environment, earn a competitive wage, and make a meaningful contribution to their community.
What are some obstacles Vertical Harvest has overcome to achieve its current success?
Vertical Harvest has faced many challenges to get where it is today. In the beginning, the company had to compete against other, more easily understandable development proposals for the site, such as a dog park and affordable housing units. Later, once their proposal was accepted, the company’s co-founders discovered that construction costs kept rising due to complications connected with the vertical nature of the greenhouse. They also encountered many trial-and-error difficulties with growing during their first year: for example, thousands of specially made LED lights needed to be replaced when splashing water from the hydroponic system short-circuited them. However, several years into operation, the company is generating widespread interest from other communities who want to replicate its unique, socially progressive business model.
