Photos courtesy of Plenty
2023 was something of a transition for Plenty, the indoor grow company.
On the one hand, they recently received a $25 million grant to build a new R&D facility in Laramie, Wyoming, where they already have a facility. On the other hand, Plenty announced that it has closed its R&D facility in San Francisco, previously its main research center.
Below, Plenty Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer Nate Storey discusses the new R&D facility, why Wyoming is a great choice, and more.
Producer: Why is the right moment for this new R&D facility?
Nate Storey: Plenty is working to solve two critical problems for vertical farming: scale and diversity. In order to somewhat ease the burden on outdoor growers and increase the stability of our food supply chain, indoor growers need to contribute a much larger volume of produce. Expanding our crop science research work with this new center will double our research area and expand our ability to grow the widest variety of crops.
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According to Storey, the new farm in Wyoming is scheduled to open in 2025.
PG: Is there an estimated time of arrival as to when this will be open? And aside from the scholarship, why Wyoming? What makes Wyoming a good choice for this facility?
NS: We plan to start construction later this year and open the facility in early 2025. Plenty’s team and research will be transferred to the new facility from their current location in Laramie upon completion.
Plenty has longstanding roots in Wyoming and we have anchored our plant science work there at our research center since 2016. We are proud to support the state to play a leading role in the advancement of the new field of indoor farming and the growth of a state-of-the-art R&D cluster. This new research center will give talent from Plenty’s backyard at the University of Wyoming and around the world the opportunity to be at the forefront of the advancement of plant science.
PG: The press release highlights the attempt to grow the widest possible variety of crops beyond leafy greens – what is the timeline for this and what specific crops is the company targeting?
NS: We broke ground on our first strawberry farm near Richmond, Virginia. Together with our partner Driscoll’s we will have berries from this farm on the market next year. Tomatoes are on the horizon after that, but we’ve grown more than 50 different crops in our vertical system so far, so there’s a wide range of possibilities for Plenty on the horizon.
According to Storey, the new Plenty research facility will double its research footprint and further expand its ability to grow a variety of crops.
PG: What does this type of work mean in terms of the company’s financial prospects – and long-term financial goals?
NS: Expanding our crop science research work with this new center will expand our ability to grow the widest variety of crops and accelerate our pipeline. The new facility will support the transition from new crops to commercial farms by incorporating areas that better reflect the Plenty Farms environment.
PG: How does that work hand-in-hand with the Vertical Farming Campus in Virginia?
NS: Our R&D makes it possible to grow complex fruit crops like strawberries vertically. Our Virginia farm, opening in 2024, will be the largest indoor vertical farm campus in the world and the world’s first indoor vertical farm to grow strawberries at scale in partnership with Driscoll’s. Expanding our innovation work in Laramie will help us create more milestones like these for the vertical farming industry and bring more new crops to market.
PG: What can you say about the recent closure of the Bay Area farm and the move from this base of operations? Why was it closed and why now?
NS: As we work to complete the phase-out and ramp-up of the world’s most technologically advanced indoor vertical farm in Compton, California, we are moving all commercial production there. Our South San Francisco R&D facility helped us bring Plenty products to market, but we’ve outgrown their capabilities. As we wind down our farm in south San Francisco, we will continue to have a strong presence in the Bay Area.
PG: Where do you currently see the indoor farm/CEA space?
NS: Compared to field farming, indoor farming is still in its infancy – especially vertical farming. I think indoor farming has tremendous potential to create a stable, local supply of fresh, healthy food for all communities. I believe companies in our space need to put research and development at the heart of their operations to drive the diversification and single economics needed to scale.
