With support from the State of Wyoming and local organizations, Plenty Unlimited is set to revolutionize indoor farming with a new state-of-the-art research facility, advancing global plant science and food security.
Plenty Unlimited Inc., a leading innovator in indoor farming technology, is expanding its research and development (R&D) footprint in Laramie, Wyoming. The company, known for its advancements in vertical farming, will build the world’s largest vertical farming research center, bolstered by support from the Wyoming Business Council, Laramie Chamber Business Alliance, and the City of Laramie. This expansion follows the largest economic development grant ever awarded by the State of Wyoming, and it aims to further Plenty’s mission of advancing plant science through controlled indoor farming systems.
Plenty has long held the belief that nearly any plant can thrive indoors, using its vertical farming platform to grow a variety of crops. While its primary focus remains on fresh produce, the versatility of its technology also allows for the cultivation of plants used in food ingredients and pharmaceuticals. This flexibility, combined with a clean and controlled environment, opens up possibilities beyond traditional agriculture. The company’s R&D efforts have already successfully grown over 50 different crops, including berries, tomatoes, peppers, and squash, showcasing the diversity of its approach.
The upcoming research center in Laramie represents a significant leap for the company. Arama Kukutai, CEO of Plenty, noted that this facility is the result of years of investment and innovation. “This new advanced plant science research facility is not only the culmination of investing hundreds of millions of dollars into R&D over the past decade, but a blueprint for expanding our research capacity to support projects valuable to our partners, our industry and beyond,” Kukutai said. He emphasized that the center will rival only Wageningen in the Netherlands in terms of scope and technological capability, highlighting the global implications of this research platform.
Plenty’s proprietary R&D technology integrates advanced genetics, custom hardware, and artificial intelligence to optimize crop production. The company’s technology is designed to increase both crop diversity and yield, enabling Plenty to develop new plant varieties rapidly. The next generation of Plenty’s R&D platform, to be deployed at the new Laramie center, will focus on accelerating the growth of crops that can adapt to various climates, including those found in regions like the Middle East, where the company is also expanding its farming operations.
Sasha Preuss, Vice President of Plant Science at Plenty, emphasized the importance of this development for food security. “We just announced our expansion of Plenty farms to the Middle East, and the research capabilities we have here in Wyoming make it possible for us to develop additional crops that can be grown in those farms,” Preuss explained. The controlled research and commercial environments will help improve regional production despite climate challenges, which is a crucial benefit of Plenty’s indoor farming system.
The design for the Laramie research center, led by MOA Architecture, has been finalized, with construction scheduled to begin next spring. The facility is expected to be operational by summer 2026. This ambitious timeline reflects Plenty’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of agricultural technology and developing a global network of research centers to enhance the future of plant science and indoor farming.
Plenty’s mission revolves around using technology to grow fresh produce year-round, regardless of location or climate. Its indoor farming systems can yield up to 350 times more produce per acre compared to traditional farming, making it one of the most efficient systems for converting electricity into fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to the Laramie facility, Plenty operates an advanced indoor farm in Compton, California, and is building the world’s first vertical farm for strawberries in Virginia, as well as its first international farm in Abu Dhabi. This global expansion underlines the company’s goal to revolutionize food production and distribution, ensuring fresh produce is accessible to all communities while preserving natural resources.
For further details on Plenty’s projects and initiatives, visit their website at www.plenty.ag.
