A Vancouver based company called Alterrus Systems is planning on building an incredible farming system at the top of a downtown parking lot. Known as the VertiCrop urban farming system, the ‘vertical farm’ uses a collection of suspended trays configured to function on a moving conveyor. The movement allows for regulated exposure to artificial and natural light along with nutrient rich soil to grow row upon row of leafy vegetables.
According to Alterrus’ website, the incredible VertiCrop system uses a mere 8 per cent of what is usually used to water and irrigate crops. If that weren’t enough, the system is able to work in any climate, produce 50 types of green vegetables and produces 20 times more than the same space in a field would.
The system was named by Time Magazine as one of the year’s 50 Top Innovations in 2009. The beauty of the system is that it is created specifically for urban use, taking advantage of structures like parking garages and apartment buildings.
According to the good people at TechVibes, the produce that comes from the parking lot farm will go to local Vancouver markets beginning in October. The facility is expected to produce upwards of 150,000 pounds of produce annually. That yield is to come from 5,700 square feet (4,000 representing growing trays). The remaining space will be devoted to the removal and packaging of vegetables.
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