HOW TO APPROACH TRADITIONAL AND VERTICAL ORGANIC FARMING FOR PEOPLE AND OUR PLANET

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The United States began as an agricultural economy that started off on the wrong foot. Farmers chose tobacco because it made the most profit, but it stripped land of nutrients after three harvests. And so, rather than incorporating regenerative farming (as Native North Americans did with ____ and ___ in corn fields), farmers depleted soil health, picked up and moved on to their next plot, initially using indentured servants for labor as they earned their citizenship over _ years of service. As cotton farming became the second staple crop, it resulted in similar degradation, but was only as profitable because of the mass incorporation of slavery (mostly) in the “south”. Many owners of tobacco and cotton farms raked in profits up until the Civil War, and continued living in luxury off their fortunes for generations as land owners of hundreds and thousands of acres. Then as farming machinery and GMO seeds became available about a hundred years later, farmers scaled with even greater soil nutrient depletion. We did not, and most still don’t, consider the long-term detrimental effects this is having on the U.S.’ ability to feed and provide for itself (and now many other countries as we’ve outsourced farming internationally since labor is cheaper and much of our native farmland no longer produces crops). The remedy to this is not appealing to big businesses because it requires investing in true-cost practices that involve short-term losses. Their short-sighted and “conservative” approach to business protects their wealth (for now) but not OUR well-being. Most business has become a game of “Monopoly” where business owners seek to profit as much as they can, while they can, without consideration of sustaining people, OUR planet, and their continued profit for generations to come. It’s not their concern if OUR world goes to shit, so long as they can afford to live in a “bio-dome”, lunar “colony”, or space ship when it happens. And every day they will tell themselves (as they already do grinning), “We the People” chose to allow it happen as we made them rich, so it’s our fault. Starvation is real, and so are walls – neither can be overcome. And the military follows orders blindly, just as WE “blindly” consume Monsantos (and other’s) toxic products. “We the People” would be wise to take the reins and reclaim our “independence” while resources and opportunities are still plentiful.

Traditional Outdoor Organic and Non-GMO Farming

The United States used to employ 80%(+) of the population with farming, which has since been substituted with service industry jobs. We must work towards a future that revives farming and balances the workforce between the two industries. It is not complicated or far-fetched, it just takes the willingness to invest, compromise, and learn new skills. And as for investment, there are federal grants that can be obtained to start farming, particularly in key crops such as hemp. Hemp was once abundant, providing fastening materials, recreational, and other uses among Native North Americans. Hemp requires less water than cotton to grow, and can be processed to supplement textile and building materials (in place of trees) so that ALL can be clothed and housed. Corn can be grown for food and fuel (which hemp/cannabis should be further utilized and considered for as well). Wheat is another priority crop that must be grown outdoors, and rice may also pose similar limitations. The demand for all this exists, but is mostly untapped within the United States. Both conventional agriculture and manufacturing can be revived domestically by investing in responsible businesses that produce these essential goods.

Vertical Organic and NON-GMO Farming

Vertical farming is relatively new, particularly with large-scale operations. A number of corporations have invested in vertical farm facilities to increase production and profit as they shift from acres to square feet. In doing so they are cutting out the cost of outsourcing production to the farmer and their land. Instead they employ a number of tenders and harvesters to work indoors since most farm machinery is of no use in these facilities.

A local vertical hydroponics farm can grow organic produce for the community at scale. The average person consumes 153 pounds of vegetables per year. In Jacksonville, Wyoming a hydroponic vertical farm grows 100,000 pounds of vegetables per year on a 4,500 sqft lot, totaling 13,500 sqft vertically. They produce 7.5 pounds per sqft via a hydroponic carousel system. This system eliminates many issues related to sunlight and harvesting. The total cost of this facility was $3.7 million. Jacksonville has a total population of ~10,000.

By comparison, in 2020 Denton, Texas had ~138,000 residents. Back then Denton was thought to hold potential (but unfortunately has since shown to be lead by far-right conservative extremists masquerading behind a veil of businesses lead by puppet liberals). This information is presented only to provide figures based on prior research for a small-scale vertical farm model to scale, as the intent in 2020 was to generate support from the local community and investors. There is a 30,000 sqft facility off The Square in Denton, TX with a structure capable of ~60,000 sqft of growing room that can support production of ~450,000 pounds of fresh organic vegetables, supplying about 3,000 people per year. That was ~2.2% of Denton’s population. Based on location, this facility would eliminate all distribution costs. The fact is that while land outside of the DFW metroplex is comparably cheap upfront, it has different associated costs and depreciates without regenerative farming to prevent soil erosion. A vertical farm facility is more profitable with respect to most green and other vegetables, and can recoup costs of construction over time while generating “healthy” margins over the years. Below are the financial estimates for the previously considered facility mentioned above, which translate to any other potential vertical farm facility. 

This is not rocket science like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have prioritized for whatever reasons they have (ego?). It’s time we get our heads out of the “clouds” and focus on the work that needs to get done here and now. We must work together and support business objectives that are mutually beneficial to “shareholders” and stakeholders. We need to invest in businesses that generate revenue and economic value while contributing towards a sustainable future for ALL. The challenge right now is awareness and providing citizens actionable means of supporting these initiatives so that money is funneled in their favor. So many are helpless or consumed in their own lives as part of the “rat race”. Too much “life” has been lost to benefit elites that do not look out for US or OUR planet’s well-being – they do not care as long as they stay comfortable and cover their own asses. It’s time to take responsibility for OURSELVES as consumers to make life “fair” and prosperous for ALL. Start today by investing in yourself with organic and non-GMO foods, as well as other eco-friendly products. Most grocers offer organic and non-GMO options, with Amazon-owned Whole Foods typically being most expensive and Natural Grocers being the all-around most “responsible” and “affordable” choice. And perhaps it’s worth noting that Natural Grocers is the only store where you can purchase organic jalapeños – food for thought…