| farmedhere is the biggest I know of in the US:
http://farmedhere.com/2013/urban-agriculture-grows-up Re: cost --
"FarmedHere CEO Jolanta Hardej says a 5.5-ounce box of its arugula retails in local markets for $4.99, 50 to 75 cents more than imported organic arugula. Still, she says it sells out because it is fresher and tastier. " That is a ton, price wise, considering it is over the price of the organic which is over the price of what most consumers are buying. If you can use solar to power lights within your grow building, good, but you'll never make it a 1:1 sun:light ratio... Plus the cost of panels (going down). I'm not a naysayer, just trying to be realistic.
I have a fair amount of stuff growing in my basement in a mostly hands-off approach (reporting is here: http://www.oakwoodproduce.com/hydrolog/dashboard.html).. I think after a year I am breaking even or even ahead on kale, chard, lettuce, and for sure herbs. We haven't bought leafy greens or herbs in a long time, and often give away to the neighbors, food trucks, etc. My monthly cost is around $80 for lights and $20 for water/nutrients/supplies/seeds. Tomatoes and peppers get pricey - need higher powered, hotter lights which need cooling and more electricity... |