UK: Square Mile Farms now has more than 60 urban farms in over 25 locations
“For employers, urban farming can reinvigorate the working environment, becoming an important part of the narrative around returning to the office after months of working from home.”
By Sarah OBeirne
FMJ
Feb 4, 2022
Excerpt:
The company, founded by Patrick Dumas and Johnno Ransom, has been enriching the lives of city dwellers since 2018. The two founders, who were executives in the city, took inspiration from a visit to Heron Tower, where looking out onto vast amounts of grey buildings they saw the huge potential to transform the grey to green by putting farms in the heart of the cityscape. It was here in the heart of the City of London – from where Square Mile Farms derives its name – that the venture began, with the aim to produce food for customers located within the square mile around the farm.
Since then, Square Mile Farms has been empowering companies and people to live healthier, more sustainable lives by selling or renting modular flexible farmwalls, freestanding farmstands and creating bespoke designs. The company uses ultra-modern vertical, hydroponic (growing without soil) systems to grow fresh food indoors year-round, maximising the growing area while minimising water and energy use. The farms grow up to 40 different crops, comprising a variety of produce including leafy greens, herbs and salad leaves, which can be harvested every two weeks.
