Specify the problem you are trying to solve: 

The Problem we’re tackling is a “3-headed snake” that bites in our and our planet’s wellbeing:

• Globally 80% of food is consumed in cities, where however only 10% are produced. This imbalance contributes to 1/3 of GHG emissions while polluting cities, jamming streets to reduce quality of life for urbanites.
• City residents of all ages, but in particular younger ones increasingly lose their connection to nature and their food, don’t know anymore where it comes from or how it’s produced. The predominant fast food culture in turn makes us overweight, obese and increasingly sick.
• Covid has increased the fast growing number of people in cities who want to grow their own food close to where they live – but can’t, because of a lack of space, knowledge or resources. Cities don’t provide public accessible space and/or modern shared farming infrastructure.

Describe your proposed solution:

We’re all about democratizing the benefits of vertical farming by making its many benefits available for all urbanites. We employ aquaponic farms that connect a modern fish aquaculture in a loosely connected system with hydroponic plant growth in vertical layers.

In our modular, scalable Grätzlfarm up to 200 parallel users can grow their own food in what is a net zero, energy positive glasshouse. On a small scale (rooftop) Microfarms are designed for residential buildings to enable 8-16 residents growing hyperlocal fresh food without even leaving their house.

To make farming as easy as eating we offer plug & play vertical “lots” with various ready2grow modules to grow up to 120 different crops without upfront invest for expensive space and technical equipment.

A central booking platform allows users to personalize their experience by adding their personal profile, preferred crops, their grow history, or just to connect with other urban farmers.

The all-inclusive rent package provides 24/7 access to our farms, that are data driven, IoT/AI enhanced to ensure automated irrigation, lightening and climate control. Users enjoy flexible monthly billing for grow space, modules, technical infrastructure and their chosen services, without long term commitment.

Employing modern precision farming, IoT sensors, cameras and accentuators and the operating farm SW enable us to optimize individual plant growth. Full connectivity means that each plant space, each grow cycle improves the overall quality in what is learning farm-eco system.

Our Farming-as-a-Service supports urban farmers from seed 2 plate including

– an interactive “space2harvest” planning aid

– easy 5 click registration/booking on www.farmnow.eu,

– full growth service whereby we do the job for users who just come to pick up the harvest

– Video (plant) grow tutorials that turn even beginners in no time into a proficient farmer

– On-Site coaching (at the Grätzlfarms only) from our trained staff and Chief Farm Guru.

– an innovative e-service bundle including (1) plant live video stream so users can check on their plants anytime from anywhere via smartphone, (2) grow lot individual Carbon/Water Footprint measurement and (3) biometric plant monitoring (i.e. ph/ec value, humidity, temperature, etc.)  

Each Grätzlfarm has also a Shop and a Bar so users and their guests can enjoy smoothies, bowls and salads with daily harvested ingredients. A weekend Farmers Market and a virtual marketplace lets users sell their surplus harvest or buy from other urban farmers.

At farmNOW community training/education/cooking events the urban farmer community can connect and make new, likeminded friends.