Plenty begins construction on world’s largest vertical farm

Plenty Unlimited has just broken ground on a USD$300 million campus in Chesterfield County, Virginia (U.S.), which is expected to become the world’s largest indoor vertical farming facility.

The site will be Plenty’s first strawberry farm, created in partnership with berry supplier Driscoll’s.

Plenty has been growing Driscoll’s strawberries at its plant science research facility in Wyoming, but the Virginia operation is the first full-scale farm for the product. Plenty is utilizing Driscoll’s proprietary genetics and berry expertise alongside its own advanced, indoor farming technology and plant science expertise to grow the berries. Leveraging the massive amounts of growing data generated by its platform, Plenty uses proprietary data analytics, machine learning and customized lighting to consistently deliver what it says are yields 150 to 350 times greater per acre than the field.

Plenty plans to construct 30-foot towers inside the facility, which uses technology to simulate the perfect spring day, helping the company achieve its high yields.

The Chesterfield County campus is planned to be developed in multiple phases over the next six years, but the Driscoll’s berry farm is expected to be complete by winter 2023-24.

Read the JUNE/JULY 2023 issue of New AG International, free to view here.