We are an urban vertical farm in a shipping container using an
eco-friendly method of growing crops indoors without soil, all year
round, using little water and nutrients. The vertical farm means
efficient land use and ability to grow food on non-agricultural
land.
For Business and for People
We grow salad crops such as pea shoots, watercress, microgreens and
herbs and supply produce to surrounding businesses - including food
traders in Spark*. We are investigating the social benefits of our
vertical farm, aiming to increase leafy greens consumption in the
community through a variety of initiatives: supplying produce to
locals via
Spark*:York food
bank.
Aeroponics Technology
We grow produce by stacking the growing plants using shelves on a
rack - like a bunk bed for crops, with each bunk bed having its own
lights and water delivery. This vertical arrangement means we can
grow much more produce on the same footprint of land compared to
growing in the ground.
In the aeroponics technology developed by LettUs Grow, plants’ roots
are sprayed with a mist that includes water and the nutrients needed
to support plant growth. LettUS Grow technology uses sound waves to
create a fine mist. This system uses 95% less fertiliser and water
than traditional field-based agriculture, and no pesticide at all.
Where We Are
We are located at the heart of a vibrant container park in
Piccadilly, York. The container park, called
Spark*:York, is a Community Interest Company using shipping
containers to
provide spaces for local restaurants, retailers and entrepreneurs.
The Team
Prof. Katherine Denby
Katherine is the coordinator of Grow It York and a member of
the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products in the Biology
Department at the University of York and lead researcher on the
FixOurFood Programme. Katherine’s work is focused on leafy
vegetables, using large-scale data and new plant breeding
techniques to meet the needs of UK and Global South
agriculture and new production systems such as vertical
farming.
Prof. Bob Doherty
Bob is Professor of Marketing and Dean of the University of
York School for Business and Society and together with Prof Katherine lead researchers on FixOurFood
Programme. Bob specialises in research on hybrid organisations
namely the marketing and management aspects of fair trade
organisations and social enterprises. Recently his research
interests have developed to look at the role these hybrid
organisations play in food systems resilience.
Dr. Alana Kluczkovski
Alana is a research associate working at the University of
York with hybrid businesses. She runs the farm, engages with
the public and local businesses helping them to understand how
we can together change the food system in an equitable,
healthy and sustainable way. Alana also produces educational
materials to engage the public and guide policymakers about
food choices to improve human and environmental health.
Dr. Alice Thomas
Alice is the research assistant at Grow It York. With a
background in plant nutrition, Alice is responsible for the
day to day running of the vertical farm.
Research
Grow It York vertical farm is part of a wider programme called FixOurFood. We are researching how hybrid
businesses that prioritise social and environmental benefit (not just profit) can be encouraged in the food
system. We will explore how these innovative businesses can help tackle the health, environment and economic
challenges of how we produce, supply and eat food. Our joint university-business community farm is the first
of its kind, but there are plans to expand to other locations if the project is a success.
Aquaponics in Schools
We are delivering an innovative hands-on school initiative about healthy eating and a healthy planet in
partnership with Farm Urban, Liverpool. Portable
aquaponic pods (Produce Pods) are being used to help children experience food production and learn about
sustainability, climate change and healthy eating. Working with
schools and children we are producing a curriculum that can be delivered at scale to enhance food education
and empower children to drive the agenda on tackling food
sustainability and climate change.
The Produce Pod is a mini-aquaponics system that enables leafy
greens and herbs such as lettuce, chard, spinach, basil and mint to
be grown at any time of the year indoors. Fish in the Pod
produce waste that fertilises the plants, LEDs provide low energy
lights for plant growth, and the plants clean the water for the
fish (2-3 goldfish).
Seed Variety Assessment
This study was conducted by the Master student Imogen Hockenhull, University of York. Breeding for
varieties specifically suited to vertical farms is still in its
infancy. We have been comparing seed varieties grown in our farm
and assessing yield and nutritional content, including vitamins
and minerals. Such information informs breeding programmes aimed
at this new farm system.
Partners
... collaborate on educational resources for primary schools
around vertical farming and healthy diets from a healthy planet!
... provider of our vertical farm technology, We work closely with
them to develop our community farm.
... are providing low energy tunable LED lighting for the farm and
collaborating on research to investigate the impact of different
lighting regimes on crops.
... collaborate on educational resources for primary schools
around vertical farming and healthy diets from a healthy planet!
