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[Levi]

I did a search and didn't find a topic for this, and I think its interesting enough to talk a bit about.

Vertical Farms are a proposed solution to the future(some would say present) problem of there not being enough farmable land to support the growing human population.  The basic idea is instead of farming fields, we do our farming in sky-scrapers.  Farming vertically is going to be more expensive, but you can get a lot more farmable land in a smaller area.  Additionally, it has the potential to save money and reduce vehicle emissions due to shorter distances you need to ship produce.

A few links to articles and information:

http://www.verticalfarm.com/more
http://www.economist.com/node/17647627
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_farming
http://www.verticalfarm.com/designs

I've been a fan of the idea for years, but I'd be curious to see what other people think of it.  Its the sort of project that will likely not see any support any time soon because its something rather expensive to experiment with, but I still think its a good idea. 

[Sowelu]

It's neat!  I like it.  There's also not yet any point in it; it's kinda like shale oil that way.  Good to know how to do it for when the time comes, but right now, it's just an expense.  Using existing farmland is cheaper and perfectly effective, since it hasn't run out yet.

[Nikov]

I wonder how much I could charge for organic, eco-concious hydroponic hand-grown urban produce.

*checks Whole Foods, runs numbers, consults a construction firm*

Hey guys! Guess who just bought half of Detroit on a home equity loan!

[freeformschooler]

I approve of this solution. My parents, however, don't (for whatever reason). I personally think it's optimal and much easier than scouting out new farmlands halfway across the globe. Plus, since we're talking artificial farms, wouldn't that give up the ability to grow many different kinds of things in areas they wouldn't normally grow? New York, the world's new largest peach farming state!

[Nikov]

Well, no. We should be developing farmlands halfway across the globe, like in Africa, because people far away from skyscrapers still need to eat, like in Africa.

[olemars]

Neat idea, reminds me of rooftop farming in Singapore. Another solution that might work just as well is trying to not make 15 billion of us.

[Sowelu]

Man, it would be hilarious to see you do that, Nikov.

Also, there's only one thing Whole Foods is good for, and that's totally whacked-out weird flavors of ice cream.  Like...uh, what was it last time, avocado?  It was bitter and not all that sweet, but it grows on you REALLY fast.

Neat idea, reminds me of rooftop farming in Singapore.

Rooftop farming:  Very practical for people who really want gardens, but don't have back yards.  Or presumably people who live in apartments I guess.  Worth looking into, if I ever wind up in some dinky little urbanish house.

[freeformschooler]

Well, no. We should be developing farmlands halfway across the globe, like in Africa, because people far away from skyscrapers still need to eat, like in Africa.

Well yeah, that's why I said "scouting" as in I was talking about for states/countries that could do skyscraper farming but have nearly run out of their own share of regular farmland. If Africa or whoever at that point needs regular farms and has the capacity, let's help 'em out! Spread the love

[Nikov]

Man, it would be hilarious to see you do that, Nikov.

Fools and their money, Sowelu. And there's a lot of both.

[Retro]

I imagine there are some kinks to be worked out, but considering the growth rate of the global population and its needs, I can't imagine this not becoming the norm sooner or later. I mean, hell, once upon a time skyscrapers were a new innovation.

[Myroc]

Man, it would be hilarious to see you do that, Nikov.

Fools and their money, Sowelu. And there's a lot of both.

Nothing like abusing the stupidity of the common man!

[RedKing]

Hey guys! Guess who just bought half of Detroit on a home equity loan!

Actually, there has been some talk of razing some of the most blighted, land-value-depressed sections of Detroit and returning them to farmland. I mean, when the houses are going for less than $1,000 a pop...nobody wants to live in that neighborhood.

[AntiAntiMatter]

I've heard about this before, and it's an interesting idea. I like it.

[Criptfeind]

I wonder how much I could charge for organic, eco-concious hydroponic hand-grown urban produce.

I don't know... I don't really like organic food so much. Can you grow some none organic stuff as well?

[Duke 2.0]

 It doesn't really strike me as a terrible innovative idea. It's just greenhouses applied to skyscrapers. Sure when we need more land it would be nice to supplement food stores and provide a place to grow rarer and harder to grow plants, but this doesn't terribly excite me. It's just a greenhouse.

 Rooftop farms do excite me a little because it has a purpose other than inefficient subpar crop growing, in that they help alleviate the heat island effect cities generate.