StoryLine Issue No. 2 Fall 2020

S Y D N E Y H O , " A C R Y L I C P A I N T I N G # 3 "

alternative to consider . Vertical farming is extremely water efficient . Because indoor

vertical farming is done in a closed system , excess water is captured , filtered , and

recirculated to the plants . Also , because plants are grown on “ shelves ,” farmers can apply

water directly to the root zone with targeted irrigation so that none is wasted on the

plants ’ leaves , as it is in field farming . With several soil - free options available , plants can

absorb water even more directly in vertical farming , and farmers don ’ t have to waste water

for moisturizing soil . Farmers can irrigate their crops with much less water using

techniques including , but not limited to : hydroponics ( using a soilless medium to support

plants in gentle water current ), aeroponics ( misting suspended plant roots with nutrient -

infused water ), and aquaponics ( circulating fish waste to plant roots to include

fertilization ). For example , located in Newark , New Jersey , Aerofarms grows lettuce

vertically in a large warehouse using aeroponics . Their water usage is 95 % less than field

farming (“ Environmental Impact ”). With the predicted water shortage coming to the

western states , efficient water usage is mandatory to conserve our planet ’ s precious water

supply .

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