The Vertical FarmSt. Louis Leading the Way

DRAFT

We believe there are disruptive ideas that can

benefit us all.

Like the opportunities that lie around food quality, access and opportunity.

Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safety Immigration issues and agricultural workforce needs Health issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safety Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safety Immigration issues and agricultural workforce needs Health issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies Immigration issues and agricultural workforce needs Health issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safetyImmigration issues and agricultural workforce needsHealth issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies

What’s wrong with our current system?

Like it or not, our present food, energy and water

solutions are unsustainably

interdependent.

How can a community help find a better way?

• an ARTIST takes risks to explore an idea and share how it will affect us

• an ENTREPRENEUR turns promising ideas into usable systems

together they can bring solutions to life very efficiently

The Openly Disruptive Perspective

We need solutions that address all aspects of the problem

Environmental and Economic Sustainability

Quality Food Access and

Security

Local Developmen

t

The Vertical Farm concept is at the center of these issues

Environmental and Economic Sustainability

Quality Food Access and

Security

Local Developmen

t

Vertical Farm Concept

A concept that will “revolutionize food, the

environment, energy and economic development.”*

What’s a vertical farm?

*According to its proponents.

The Vertical Farm concept

An urban food center with:

• A new economic model for

food production and

distribution

• Fresh food year-round from

urban sites

• High efficiency through new

hydroponic, aquaculture and

green tech

• Elimination of transportation

costs

• Net-zero or surplus energy

and water

• Local jobs producing healthy

food sustainably

• Minimal environmental

impact

By cooperating on seeding an ecosystem.

It could change the world, but right now it’s just a concept.

How can a community benefit from it?

The USB innovation story

St. Louis is uniquely positioned to explore and

bring to life the elements of a vertical farm.

Why should we care?

Aligned Interests…

St. Louis’s Proof of Concept Vertical Farm

Businessesneed a way to explore

solutions in context

The Community

needs workable solutions with minimal

public investment

Enthusiastswant to make their

passions come to life

Who could be part of this?

Sample Benefits

• Greentribes is a business about growing commercial distribution for green food businesses.

• They might gain these benefits from their participation:o Dfklj;asdko Kasjfl;

• They might contribute to the effort with:o Expertise abco Resources xyz

Sample Benefits

• Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group is about re-building a sustainable and inclusive community in an urban environment.

• They might gain these benefits from their participation:o Dfklj;asdko Kasjfl;

• They might contribute to the effort with:o Expertise abco Resources xyz

Sample Benefits

• Universities are increasingly about providing interdisciplinary research and education opportunities to prepare people for the future.

• They might gain these benefits from their participation:o Dfklj;asdko Kasjfl;

• They might contribute to the effort with:o Expertise abco Resources xyz

Sample Benefits

• Emerson is about developing, making, and global sales of elements of infrastructure solutions (power, process, etc.)

• They might gain these benefits from their participation:o Dfklj;asdko Kasjfl;

• They might contribute to the effort with:o Expertise abco Resources xyz

lean collaboration platform

Insights emerge and are shared with everyone to refine the platform

Members test ideas, products, and methods with the assembled community

Community Engagement Experts (artists) catalyze public participation

Disparate interests agree to work together for a fixed duration of time as members of a cooperative innovation platform

process repeats for the duration of project

Where We Could Do ThisSt. Louis is rich with sites that offer low-cost proximity to resources relevant to a Vertical Farm. In two of these places, artists and community activists have laid the groundwork of:• Practicing action around shared

purpose and vision• Collaborative use of space and

facilities• Appreciation of economic, food,

and environmental sustainability• Openness to new business models• An inclusive identity attractive to

urban pioneers and the creative class

Downtown St. Louis

Old North St. Louis

Hyde Park

Existing Food Distribution

Infrastructure

New I-70 Bridge

Sample Neighborhood Assets – Old North St. Louis

Produce Row

14th Street Mall

New I-70 Bridge

Old North Food Co-Op

Existing Bike Trails

(connecting to Riverfront Trail)

Crown Candy Interstate Access

Vibrant Community Association

High-Traffic Arterial Roads

DIY-Focused (wealth-building) Residents

Suggested Site

Existing Transit

Existing Businesses

New Housing

Potential Elements

Project Vision Mural(s)

Meeting Space, Cafe

and Micro-Business

Incubator (with

secure Bike parking)

Demonstration Sites – 4 phases

Education, Outreach and Activity Spaces/Pavilions

Workshop and Job Training

Planting Beds and Visioning Art Throughout

Nearby Residential and Commercial Neighborhood

Integration Projects (where possible)

Exporting Success

St. Louis Demonstration

Project

Supporting products and services

Experienced Staff

Thought Leadership

Viable and scalable

model

Sample Scope• Site

– Lease, utilities, insurance, improvements• Identity

– Content, art, digital assets, ongoing narrative• Demonstration sites

– Site prep, structures and systems (in-kind wherever possible)• Demonstration projects:

– Best practices – plant, aquaculture, small animal, processing, green energy, preparation

– Business incubation/acceleration, workforce development• Project operation and facilitation

– Director, site director, stakeholder engagement director, volunteer director, project initiation funds, student staffing, challenge grant funding and incubator mentoring

• Outreach and communication– Content, education, publicity and documentation

Member Benefits

• Low-risk exploration of emerging model• R&D and in-market evaluation of products,

approaches and systems• Integrated solution proof of concept• Training and development• Constructive dialogue with entire community

(including critics)• Opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership

How it would work

Members contribute:

• A combination of dues and relevant in-kind support

• A commitment to do R&D and/or outreach at the project

• Willingness to collaborate with other members

Members Receive:

• Recognition

• A marketable destination for B2C, B2B, and B2E outreach

• Ongoing content, activities and programming

• Attitudinal research and opportunity to engage influencers

• Facilitated collaboration

• Employee training and development opportunities

• Visibility in the community (local and otherwise)

What we need from you

Commitments:

• To provide support of $10-50,000 a year for five years (cash,

in-kind and volunteer labor)

• To agree to bring your best thinking and efforts to testing,

demonstrating and refining the concept

• To agree to help us tell the story through your existing

communication efforts and assist in creating shared new

ones

• To commit to open, respectful cooperation with all

stakeholders

Next Steps

1.Identify and engage 6-10

influencers/thought leaders

2.Ask influencers to help identify and

engage 25-50 potential members

3.Schedule exploratory/formative

meeting(s)

The Vertical FarmSt. Louis Leading the Way