80 Acres Farms is a trailblazer in the agricultural sector, fundamentally transforming the concept of farming with its innovative indoor, vertical farming approach.
Established by Mike Zelkind and Tisha Livingston, the company is dedicated to producing fresh, nutritious, and sustainable agricultural products using state-of-the-art technology and methods that significantly reduce environmental impact.
By operating entirely indoors using 100% renewable energy and eschewing pesticides, 80 Acres Farms achieves year-round crop production on a fraction of the land used by traditional farming.
This narrative not only underscores the company’s commitment to revolutionizing food production but also embodies its philosophy of sustainable and responsible agriculture.
Company Origins and Vision
The inception of 80 Acres Farms by Mike Zelkind and Tisha Livingston was driven by a desire to enhance the quality and sustainability of food production.
The founders recognized the diminishing quality of traditionally farmed produce and saw an opportunity to innovate through technology and a radical rethink of the agricultural process.
They established the company with a clear vision: to cultivate crops in a controlled indoor environment using vertical farming techniques that allow for the maximization of space and resources.
The name “80 Acres Farms” reflects a commitment to efficiency and productivity.
Originally operating on just a quarter-acre, the company leveraged advanced vertical farming techniques to produce as much food as eighty acres of traditional farmland.
This innovative approach not only conserves space but also enhances yield and quality.
The name serves as a continual reminder of the company’s roots and its ongoing mission to push the boundaries of what is possible in agriculture.
Innovations and Distinctive Features
80 Acres Farms distinguishes itself through several key innovations that directly address the challenges facing traditional agriculture.
The company’s use of zero pesticides and chemicals in the growing process ensures that the produce is not only safe but retains higher nutritional value.
Its strategy of local growing eliminates the need for long-distance transportation, ensuring peak freshness and reducing carbon emissions associated with food miles.
The technology-driven approach also means produce is fresher for longer.
By virtually eliminating the distance between the farm and the consumer, 80 Acres Farms significantly extends the shelf life of its products, enhancing consumer satisfaction and reducing waste.
The commitment to sustainable farming is further evidenced by the use of 100% renewable energy and 95% less water than conventional farms, underscoring a profound commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Future of Fresh™ + Advanced Farming Techniques
At the heart of 80 Acres Farms’ operational philosophy is its pioneering farm technology that requires no soil, sun, or conventional agricultural inputs like pesticides.
Instead, the farms utilize controlled environments where all aspects of the growing process are meticulously monitored and managed.
This includes the use of energy-efficient LED lighting specifically tuned to the needs of each plant variety, hydroponic systems that deliver tailored nutrient mixes, and advanced climate control systems that ensure optimal growth conditions year-round.
Automation plays a critical role in the farms’ operations. Robots and automated systems handle much of the physical labor, from planting seeds to harvesting crops.
This not only improves efficiency but also allows the company to focus human labor on tasks that require more critical thinking and oversight, such as quality control and system optimization.
This high-tech approach enables 80 Acres Farms to produce up to 300 times more food per square foot than traditional farming methods.
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
The sustainability efforts of 80 Acres Farms are evident in its significant reduction of natural resource usage and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2023 alone, the company saved millions of miles in trucking, hundreds of thousands of pounds of food loss, and tens of millions of gallons of water.
These achievements highlight the effectiveness of its farming model in addressing some of the most pressing environmental issues faced by the agricultural sector today.
Moreover, 80 Acres Farms is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), setting ambitious goals to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with global efforts to mitigate climate change.
The company’s sustainability strategy is built around four core principles, plants, products, people, and plans, that guide its operations and ensure that growth is both responsible and environmentally sound.
Strategic Partnerships
Through strategic partnerships with companies like Siemens and Signify, 80 Acres Farms continues to refine its operations and increase its efficiency.
These collaborations are focused on enhancing every aspect of the farm’s operation from the optimization of plant growth to the sustainability of its packaging solutions, driving forward a vision of agriculture that is both high-tech and harmonious with the planet’s ecological needs.
Connect
- Website: 80acresfarms.com
- Instagram: @80AcresFarms
- Facebook: @80AcresFarms
- Twitter/X: @80AcresFarms
