World's First Vertical Indoor Berry Farm Opens, Revolutionizing Agriculture

In a groundbreaking development for the agricultural industry, Plenty, an American agricultural technology company, has unveiled the world’s first vertical indoor berry farm at scale. This innovative farm, located in Richmond, is set to exclusively grow Driscoll’s strawberries, the premium berry brand known for its high-quality produce.

Revolutionizing Berry Production

The Plenty Richmond farm is designed to produce over 4 million pounds of strawberries annually by utilizing a state-of-the-art 914cm vertical indoor farm. With advanced techniques for growing strawberries indoors, Plenty aims to create a consistent and high-quality berry supply, independent of external weather conditions and environmental challenges. By controlling the growing environment, the farm will ensure superior airflow, intensive lighting, and a reliable supply of nutrients—making it possible to grow berries year-round with better quality and consistency.

AI-Driven Farming for Optimal Results

What sets Plenty apart from traditional farming methods is its use of proprietary software and artificial intelligence (AI). This cutting-edge technology allows the company to manage and optimize key factors such as temperature, light, and humidity within the grow rooms. By monitoring these variables, the farm ensures that each strawberry plant receives the ideal conditions for optimal growth, enhancing the texture, size, and flavor of the fruit.

Additionally, Plenty has developed a patent-pending method for more effective pollination, further improving the quality of the berries produced. The combination of advanced technology and climate-agnostic farming methods sets Plenty’s indoor vertical farm apart as a leader in sustainable and scalable agriculture.

Sustainability and Economic Impact

The opening of Plenty Richmond comes at a time when sustainability and local food production are at the forefront of global agricultural discussions. State Governor Glenn Youngkin emphasized the importance of the farm in driving economic development and boosting local agriculture production. By diversifying food production away from traditional, land-intensive methods, Plenty’s indoor vertical farm helps to reduce the environmental risks associated with conventional farming practices, including soil depletion and excessive water usage.

In addition to its positive environmental impact, the farm will contribute to job creation and strengthen the local economy by providing a reliable source of locally grown, premium strawberries.

Future-Proofing the Global Food System

Plenty’s vertical indoor farm is more than just a solution for local berry production. It is a model for future-proofing the global food system. According to Arama Kukutai, Plenty’s CEO, the farm demonstrates how climate-agnostic agriculture—farming that is independent of traditional weather patterns—can deliver crop diversity, scaled production, and local food solutions that help tackle global food security challenges.

By offering year-round production capabilities and minimizing the environmental impact of traditional farming, vertical farming technology is shaping the future of agriculture. Plenty’s Richmond facility is a testament to how vertical farming can meet global demand for nutritious and sustainably grown food in the face of climate change and growing populations.