or business owner who could make a real difference.
Not to mention, I don’t see any of the bold-type vertical
farming companies doing anything significantly different,
like introducing any new varieties, reducing prices,
or increasing nutrient density.
I also think it’s placed unrealistic expectations on the
industry and I don’t feel that the (venture capitalist)
metrics work in agriculture. In my opinion, business is
meant to be cash-flow positive and the operator needs
to be realistic, passionate, curious, dedicated, and
focused on what they’re doing. Raising money should
come after you’ve proven your business model.
How does the US vertical farming industry
compare to the industry in Europe?
I’ve done projects in Holland, Spain, Germany, and
the UK, and I have a lot of friends in every facet of
the international horticulture industry, including
entrepreneurs, growers, and suppliers. I think the EU
vertical farming industry is slower growing, and based
on a lot less hype and a lot more reality. Pioneers in
vertical farming in the EU seem to be entrepreneurial
but more focused on the business case and trying to fill
a value-added need. I also think EU vertical farmers
are more creative, self-sufficient, and realistic.
Thus far, urban farming has been organized by
grassroots efforts or state-sanctioned research
and funding programs. How would the passage
of the Urban Agriculture Production Act of 2017
in the US Congress change the industry?
The bill, if passed, could be a positive thing for urban
ag — if it gets some fine tuning. But, the prognosis for
its passing (is) not good. After reading the bill, I’m also
concerned that it doesn’t open the door wide enough for
the entrepreneur. I feel that it has too much of a bureaucratic
government point of view because it lacks input
from the potential beneficiaries in urban farmers.
I also wish that there was reference to forgiving student
loans to students in agriculture programs. I think the
government bill can encourage young people to consider
farming as a career, but it doesn’t quite go the last mile.
Looking forward, what do you see as the future
of urban farming in the United States?
I am optimistic. I see a steady increase in urban
farming, vertical farming, and controlled environment
agriculture in the future. There will be a few industry
hiccups and some high-profile failures, but that’s
normal business in a developing industry. On the
positive side, I see more interesting, creative, and
innovative projects being developed. I want to think
that entrepreneurs’ attitudes in the space today are
slowly beginning to mature and become more focused
on best use, innovation, and economics.
The ebb and flow of America’s urban agriculture industry
is indicative of a marketplace that is still largely
in start-up phase. That being said, there are exciting
opportunities and prospects related to both investment
interests and government programs. However,
as eluded to by Behrman, how the stability of these
developments will affect the overall industry progress
largely remains to been seen. Either way you cut it, the
simple fact urban farming is receiving the attention
of mainstream demographics in the US speaks to an
industry experiencing growth.