Operational Optimization and Crop Innovation in Vertical Farming

Vertical farming is an emerging industry driven by the intersection of rising food prices, climate volatility and reduced technology costs. However, there are two major barriers to the widespread adoption and long-term viability of vertical farming among prospective entrepreneurs, farmers, and food businesses: high capital costs associated with turn-key vertical farm systems and limitations to the diversity of crops that have been cultivated. Boreal Greens, a Canadian Ag-Tech innovation company, is developing and prototyping a mid-market, Canadian-made, vertical farming solution with communities and smallholder farmers in mind. In order to design their product to address the two major barriers in the field, Boreal Greens is partnering with Seneca’s School of Accounting and Financial Services to answer two important questions:1) Given the current landscape of Canadian food prices, which crops are most profitable and applicable for cultivation in vertical farms, and 2) what equipment is currently best practice or emerging in the industry to reduce labour and time-intensive tasks? This research will have the prospective intern working closely with academic lead Professor West Suhanic and President of Boreal Greens Brandon Hebor to answer these questions through investigation into a range of market conditions, pricing information, technology scans, and business projections.

Faculty Supervisor:

West Suhanic;Namrata Barai

Student:

Partner:

Boreal Greens

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Seneca College

Program: