Upward Farms to Open New Vertical Farm in Pennsylvania

Upward Farms Announces New Large-Scale Vertical Farm

Upward Farms, headquartered in Brooklyn, has revealed its intentions to establish a substantial 250,000-square-foot vertical farm facility.

The opening of this new site is anticipated in early 2023, and it will be situated in Luzerne County, within Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This represents a significant land allocation for a vertical farm, especially considering the industry’s emphasis on minimizing land usage.

Spanning approximately six acres, the farm’s size considerably exceeds that of its competitors.

This location will serve as Upward’s third operational farm.

Focus on Microgreens and Aquaponics

The farm’s primary focus will be the cultivation of microgreens, a favored choice for indoor farming due to their adaptability and reduced space needs compared to other crops.

Unlike the majority of its competitors who employ hydroponic or aeroponic methods, Upward Farms utilizes aquaponics.

Aquaponics is a closed-loop system that leverages fish to naturally fertilize plants.

Integrated Fish Sales

A unique aspect of Upward Farms’ operation is the direct sale of the fish raised within the aquaponic system.

In December, the company announced the availability of its farm-grown striped bass at Greenpoint Fish and Lobster in Brooklyn, alongside its produce offerings at select New York Whole Foods locations.

Expanded Distribution and Future Growth

According to co-founder and CEO Jason Green, the new facility will enable the company to efficiently serve a large portion of the US population.

Distribution to nearly 100 million Americans will be possible within a single day, a significant improvement over the week-long delivery times from the west coast.

Green described this as a local achievement with far-reaching global implications for food production and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Sales from the Pennsylvania farm are scheduled to commence in early 2023, following the completion of setup and operational readiness.

Having secured $134 million in Series B funding last year, Upward Farms also intends to broaden its market reach to additional areas in the coming year.