Vertical Farming, the presentation by Henry Gordon-Smith at the Hort Connections Conference in Adelaide this week revealed the the possibility of growth from vertical farming is likely to be primarily in nursery/seedling production, micro greens, lettuces and herbs as options, not necessarily as an immediate replacement to current outdoor vegetable production.
In large populated cities vertical farming has been a viable production option to provide high end, safe, and consistent produce for restaurants, markets, etc for decades. The consumer benefit being marketed currently is lower food miles, nutritional security, water scarcity, product quality and safety (which is not an issue in Australia as it is internationally) and the decreasing workforce available to work in food production.
Looking at the market drivers presented, it does warrant a conversation.
A great point that he did make was that vertical farming may be a way to engage young urban residents in agriculture.
Image credited to the presentation by Henry Gordon-Smith
If you interested in the idea of vertical farming the presenter at Hort Connections, Henry Gordon-Smith has a blog called Agritechture.
An article from the Wall Street Journal on Verticle Farming called "A Farm Grows in the City" can be found at https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-farm-grows-in-the-city-1494813900