Continued Growth in Indoor Farming
As traditional farms face environmental impacts like drought, scarcity of land, high costs of transportation and fuel, as well as other economic factors, the indoor farming industry is seeing a boom. Indoor agriculture provides the solutions to many problems traditional farms are challenged with while being economical, sustainable and more dependable. The vertical farming market is projected to be worth $20.9 billion dollars by 2029[1] and industry experts expect to see even more growth in the indoor agriculture market in the next few years.
Gotham Greens in Davis, California
Miles Construction, a general contracting firm based in Carson City, Nevada, has a footprint in the industry, completing several horticulture projects across the country with more on the horizon. When the cannabis industry began to take off in the U.S., Miles was quick to carve out a niche, building facilities for both regional and national industry leaders across the west coast including MedMen facilities in Sparks, Nevada, and Desert Hot Springs, and the Srene cultivation facility in Verdi, Nevada. This industry knowledge and experience positioned Miles as early leaders in the indoor farming industry beyond just cannabis.
“We are passionate about our work with indoor farming because it aligns with our company mission of sustainability,” Cary Richardson, President of Business Development for Miles Construction, said. “Indoor farming is great for our environment, and it is the solution to feeding more people throughout the world. Plus, it has multiple benefits beyond sustainability. Crops can be grown in any climate, during any season, decreasing the carbon footprint for delivering crops to urban areas. This, coupled with the fact that it’s a booming industry that our team has proven to be successful in, makes it an industry we plan to heavily pursue moving into 2023 and beyond.”
In early 2022, Miles completed a 111,000 square-foot greenhouse in Davis, California, for Gotham Greens. The facility grows tomato and basil. In Wilcox, Arizona, Miles facilitated the design of a 310-acre grow facility and completed the first phase of construction of the technologically advanced greenhouse for Blossom Farms. The facility includes a 7.9-acre flat roof shade structure, 1.09-acre a-frame shade structure, water and irrigation storage and a perimeter fence. This retractable roof structure allows for the plants to enjoy the benefits of the natural environment but can be closed to protect the produce when unfavorable weather conditions are present.
In Ely, Nevada, Miles led the project management and construction for earth moving, greenhouse erection and general site construction for Silver Lion Farm’s propagation and processing infrastructure. The 250,000 square foot state-of-the art glass and steel greenhouse has capacity to produce as much as 250 million seeds per year.
In the state of Georgia, Miles has assembled and is managing a team of additional resources such as structure and equipment manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and third-party consultants, adding to the national network to design and construct a vertical indoor farming solution. Projects like these and others are on the horizon for 2023 and beyond.
“We are believers in this industry,” Richardson said. “This is the future of agriculture in the U.S., and we are excited to continue to help build this revolution.”
Learn more about Miles Construction’s work in indoor farming and horticulture here.
[1] The Food Institute, “Investment in Vertical Farming Market Continues Steady Rise,” Aug. 17, 2022
