‘CyberGuy’: New technology bears fruit The first indoor vertical berry farm opens in Virginia, using AI to grow 4 million pounds annually. Tech expert Kurt Knutsson takes a closer look at the “growing” trend. In a groundbreaking development for sustainable agriculture, the world’s first large-scale indoor vertical strawberry farm has opened its doors in Richmond, Virginia. This innovative facility, operated by Plenty Unlimited Inc., opened on Sept. 24, 2024, and is set to revolutionize berry production and pave the way for a more sustainable future in farming.GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE Indoor vertical strawberry farm (Plenty) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)A berry impressive featThe Plenty Richmond Farm is designed to produce more than 4 million pounds of strawberries annually in a space smaller than a single acre. This impressive yield is achieved through cutting-edge vertical farming technology, with strawberries growing on 30-foot-tall towers in less than 40,000 square feet of precisely controlled environment. Indoor vertical strawberry farm (Plenty) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)JUST WHEN YOU’VE SEEN IT ALL … FLYING FRUIT-PICKING ROBOTS TAKE FLIGHTSustainability at its coreOne of the most striking aspects of this new farm is its environmental footprint. The farm uses 97% less land than conventional farming and consumes up to 90% less water. It also produces strawberries without the unpredictability of Mother Nature, enabling year-round production with peak-season flavor. Indoor vertical strawberry farm (Plenty) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)NEW TECH MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KILL HOUSE PLANTSThe tech behind the berriesThe success of this vertical farm is built on years of research and development. Plenty spent a decade designing a patent-pending, modular growing system flexible enough to support various crops, including strawberries. The farm utilizes AI to analyze over 10 million data points daily across 12 grow rooms, optimizing the environment for each stage of plant growth.The farm represents a unique collaboration between Plenty’s advanced technology and Driscoll’s century-old berry expertise and proprietary genetics. This partnership aims to deliver consistently high-quality strawberries year-round, regardless of seasonal constraints. The first Driscoll’s strawberries from this farm will be available to consumers in early 2025.HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET Indoor vertical strawberry farm (Plenty) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)AI WEARABLE PROMISES TO HELP YOU REMEMBER EVERYTHINGEconomic growth and job creationBeyond its agricultural innovations, the Plenty Richmond Farm is also boosting the local economy. The facility is expected to create over 60 jobs initially, with plans for expansion that could bring the total to more than 300 jobs as part of a projected $300 million investment in the 120-acre farm campus. Indoor vertical strawberry farm (Plenty) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)Looking to the futureWith the global population growing and arable land shrinking, vertical farming offers a promising solution to future food security challenges. The Plenty Richmond Farm serves as a proof of concept for large-scale, sustainable indoor agriculture, bringing year-round production within a one-day drive of more than 100 million consumers. Exterior of indoor vertical strawberry farm in Virginia (Plenty) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)SUBSCRIBE TO KURT’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICESKurt’s key takeawaysThe opening of the Plenty Richmond Farm marks a significant milestone in the evolution of agriculture. By combining cutting-edge technology with traditional farming expertise, this facility demonstrates that it is possible to produce high-quality, sustainable food on a large scale while minimizing the environmental impact. As we face the challenges of feeding a growing global population in an era of climate change, innovations like this vertical strawberry farm offer a glimpse of a more sustainable and food-secure future.Do you prefer the traditional methods of growing food, or do you embrace the innovations of vertical farming as a better solution for the future? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.