This document proposes developing a vertical farm demonstration project in St. Louis to address various issues with the current food system and act as a test site for sustainable food production. It outlines potential benefits for community groups, universities, and businesses to participate. The project would set up demonstration sites at a proposed location in Old North St. Louis to test hydroponic, aquaculture, and other green technologies for growing food locally and year-round. The goal is for members to collaborate, test solutions, and share knowledge to help advance the vertical farm concept.

1. TheVerticalFarmDRAFTSt. Louis Leading the Way

2. We believe there are disruptive ideas that can benefit us all.

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

4. 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 suppliesWhat’s wrong with our current system?

5. Like it or not, our present food, energy and water solutions are unsustainably interdependent.How can a community help find a better way?

6. The Openly Disruptive Perspectivean ARTIST takes risks to explore an idea and share how it will affect us

7. an ENTREPRENEUR turns promising ideas into usable systemstogether they can bring solutions to life very efficiently

8. We need solutions that address all aspects of the problem

9. The Vertical Farm concept is at the center of these issuesVertical Farm Concept

10. What’s a vertical farm?A concept that will “revolutionize food, the environment, energy and economic development.”**According to its proponents.

11. The Vertical Farm conceptAn urban food center with:A new economic model for food production and distribution

12. Fresh food year-round from urban sites

13. High efficiency through new hydroponic, aquaculture and green tech

14. Elimination of transportation costs

15. Net-zero or surplus energyand water

16. Local jobs producing healthy food sustainably

17. Minimal environmental impactIt could change the world, but right now it’s just a concept.How can a community benefit from it?By cooperating on seeding an ecosystem.

18. The USB innovation story

19. Why should we care?St. Louis is uniquely positioned to explore and bring to life the elements of a vertical farm.

20. Aligned Interests…

21. Who could be part of this?

22. Sample BenefitsGreentribes is a business about growing commercial distribution for green food businesses.They might gain these benefits from their participation:Dfklj;asdkKasjfl;They might contribute to the effort with:Expertise abcResources xyz

23. Sample BenefitsOld 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:Dfklj;asdkKasjfl;They might contribute to the effort with:Expertise abcResources xyz

24. Sample BenefitsUniversities are increasingly about providing interdisciplinary research and education opportunities to prepare people for the future.They might gain these benefits from their participation:Dfklj;asdkKasjfl;They might contribute to the effort with:Expertise abcResources xyz

25. Sample BenefitsEmerson is about developing, making, and global sales of elements of infrastructure solutions (power, process, etc.)They might gain these benefits from their participation:Dfklj;asdkKasjfl;They might contribute to the effort with:Expertise abcResources xyz

26. lean collaboration platformprocess repeats for the duration of project

27. 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

28. Collaborative use of space and facilities

29. Appreciation of economic, food, and environmental sustainability

30. Openness to new business models

31. An inclusive identity attractive to urban pioneers and the creative classHyde ParkExisting Food Distribution InfrastructureOld North St. LouisNew I-70 BridgeDowntown St. Louis

32. Sample Neighborhood Assets – Old North St. LouisProduce RowCrown CandyInterstate AccessHigh-Traffic Arterial RoadsOld North Food Co-OpVibrant Community Association14th Street MallExisting BusinessesDIY-Focused (wealth-building) ResidentsExisting Bike Trails (connecting to Riverfront Trail)Suggested SiteNew HousingNew I-70 BridgeExisting Transit

33. Potential ElementsNearby Residential and Commercial Neighborhood Integration Projects (where possible)Education, Outreach and Activity Spaces/PavilionsPlanting Beds and Visioning Art ThroughoutProject Vision Mural(s)Meeting Space, Cafe and Micro-Business Incubator (with secure Bike parking)Workshop and Job TrainingDemonstration Sites – 4 phases

34. Exporting SuccessSupporting products and servicesViable and scalable modelSt. Louis Demonstration ProjectExperienced StaffThought Leadership

35. Sample ScopeSiteLease, utilities, insurance, improvementsIdentityContent, art, digital assets, ongoing narrativeDemonstration sitesSite prep, structures and systems (in-kind wherever possible)Demonstration projects:Best practices – plant, aquaculture, small animal, processing, green energy, preparationBusiness incubation/acceleration, workforce developmentProject operation and facilitationDirector, site director, stakeholder engagement director, volunteer director, project initiation funds, student staffing, challenge grant funding and incubator mentoringOutreach and communicationContent, education, publicity and documentation

36. Member BenefitsLow-risk exploration of emerging modelR&D and in-market evaluation of products, approaches and systemsIntegrated solution proof of conceptTraining and developmentConstructive dialogue with entire community (including critics)Opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership

37. How it would workMembers contribute:A combination of dues and relevant in-kind support

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

39. Willingness to collaborate with other membersMembers Receive:Recognition

40. A marketable destination for B2C, B2B, and B2E outreach

41. Ongoing content, activities and programming

42. Attitudinal research and opportunity to engage influencers

43. Facilitated collaboration

44. Employee training and development opportunities

45. Visibility in the community (local and otherwise)What we need from youCommitments:To provide support of $10-50,000 a year for five years (cash, in-kind and volunteer labor)

46. To agree to bring your best thinking and efforts to testing, demonstrating and refining the concept

47. To agree to help us tell the story through your existing communication efforts and assist in creating shared new ones

48. To commit to open, respectful cooperation with all stakeholdersNext StepsIdentify and engage 6-10 influencers/thought leadersAsk influencers to help identify and engage 25-50 potential membersSchedule exploratory/formative meeting(s)

49. TheVerticalFarmSt. Louis Leading the Way