Whether it is reclaiming damaged buildings or building mega indoor grows , the reasons for building these vertical farms are as unique as the places where they can be found .”
from the EDITOR
TG Toby Gorman
From Arizona to Asia , Belgium to Beijing , Singapore to Sweden , and Michigan to Mexico , this issue of Maximum Yield is truly an international effort . We asked our writers stationed around the globe to check the pulse of the indoor growing industry and check back in with their own interpretation . The results were diverse , informative , and extremely interesting . United Kingdom-based writer Sally Nex , who has been feeding her own family from her garden for more than 20 years , set out to explore how different parts of the world were adapting to increasing pressures on agriculture and the food supply . Her research resulted in her article and photo feature “ Top 10 Vertical Farms ,” a brilliant synopsis of the major companies and influential people in the emerging indoor grow sector , the money invested , the problems they solve , and the futuristic architecture housing these operations . Whether it is reclaiming damaged buildings in Kyoto , Japan , finding new ways to grow in sun-starved Sweden , or building mega indoor grows in China , the reasons for building these vertical farms are as unique as the places where they can be found . Longtime contributor Dr . Lynette Morgan , a specialist in hydroponic greenhouse production and author of five hydroponic books , took a different approach . Based in New Zealand , Lynette added a little spice to her article by exploring the possibility of growing Mexican cuisine with hydroponics . Turns out , chilis , epazote , cilantro , and , of course , tomatoes , are all easily grown indoors . As she points out , Mexican cuisine crops are ideally suited to warm , brightly lit indoor gardens and can bring an aromatic and spicy punch to many dishes . Finally , Arizona-based writer Lee Allen researched the environmental benefits of indoor growing and how the technology is constantly improving . Interviewing numerous food and agriculture experts for his article , Lee dives into the symbiotic relationship of indoor and traditional agriculture , how technology is improving both methods , and how we are learning more about the plants we grow for food .
Thanks for taking the journey with us in this issue of Maximum Yield , we hope you enjoy it .
14 Maximum Yield