By Cath Isabedra 

Climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity increasingly challenge traditional farming methods. This has spurred a vital shift towards more sustainable practices that enhance food security and mitigate environmental impacts. Among these emerging technologies, vertical farming presents a transformative solution, offering a method to produce food efficiently and sustainably within urban environments. 

Enter Growy, a trailblazer in the vertical farming industry. It has seamlessly integrated state-of-the-art technology with eco-friendly practices to revolutionize farming. By focusing on automation, tailored crop cultivation, and resource efficiency, Growy is setting new standards in the agricultural domain. Their innovative approach not only aims to make sustainable food accessible but also contributes significantly to urban sustainability and climate resilience. 

Laura van de Kreeke, a dedicated Growy farmer with an extensive background that spans several critical areas from biology to communications, is deeply involved in this agricultural evolution. With a passion for sustainability and a hands-on approach to farming, Laura has been instrumental in advancing Growy’s mission from its inception. She embodies the company’s commitment to innovation and relentless pursuit of agricultural excellence. 

Integrating advanced technology with traditional farming 

Growy has taken a significant leap by integrating advanced robotics and automation into its vertical farming systems.  

Laura explains, “Our system was made to grow many different crops and offer each one of them a tailored plant profile, containing all their needs throughout a growth cycle.”  

This automation extends throughout the entire growth process, significantly enhancing efficiency and sustainability. The use of dynamic lighting and an efficient climate system dramatically reduces energy consumption. 

Laura notes the benefits of such integration, stating, “Using our efficient climate system and dynamic lights we save a lot of our energy consumption.” 

Enhancing crop quality through precision agriculture 

One of the most intriguing aspects of Growy’s approach is the tailoring of light, climate, and nutrition to enhance the taste and nutritional value of the produce. Through collaborations with institutions like Wageningen University, Growy has been able to “increase the vitamin content of the crops, improve shelf life, taste, and yield,” Laura shares. This ongoing research continues to uncover new potentials for agricultural improvements. 

Sustainable resource management 

Growy is also exploring innovative ways to turn organic waste into valuable resources. Laura describes an ambitious project:  

“We are currently researching and developing a bio-digester that can turn organic waste into energy, water, and potentially also nutrients we can all use in our farm.”  

This initiative represents a critical step towards full sustainability in agriculture. 

Growy’s vertical farming technology is not just about producing food. It’s also about creating sustainable urban ecosystems. “By building vertical farms close to the consumer, we can produce a large amount of fresh produce on a small area and ensure freshness and a decrease in food miles,” Laura emphasizes.  

This approach aligns with broader climate goals, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional farming. 

Selecting crops for future sustainability 

When it comes to selecting crops, Growy focuses on salads, herbs, and microgreens due to their viability and sustainability. Laura discusses the strategic selection: “By starting with these easy-to-grow crops, we can develop, research, and collect a lot of data not only on our system but also on the plants.” This initial focus helps pave the way for future expansions into larger crops and even pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. 

Growy’s continuous innovations aim to optimize crop growth and health, which are crucial for ensuring taste, healthiness, and affordability. Laura highlights an exciting development:  

“We are also working on equipping all the robots with a camera, so we can see the crops without entering the cell.”  

This technology allows for real-time monitoring and adjustments to improve crop quality further. 

In terms of future directions, Laura’s advice to others in the sector is clear: “Focus on the plants, not the system…only do it with the goal of making a positive impact on the food sector.” This philosophy underpins Growy’s mission to revolutionize agriculture through sustainability and innovation. 

Growy’s efforts showcase a proactive approach to addressing food security, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement in agriculture.  

As they continue to expand their crop repertoire and refine their technologies, Growy remains a leading example of how vertical farming can be a cornerstone of future agricultural practices. 

This story first came out in our “Seeds of Change: The Urban Farming Phenomenon in Asia and Beyond” issue.

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