This document proposes developing a vertical farm demonstration project in St. Louis to address various issues with the current food system and act as a test site for sustainable food production. It outlines potential benefits for community groups, universities, and businesses to participate. The project would set up demonstration sites at a proposed location in Old North St. Louis to test hydroponic, aquaculture, and other green technologies for growing food locally and year-round. The goal is for members to collaborate, test solutions, and share knowledge to help advance the vertical farm concept.

1. TheVerticalFarm DRAFT St. Louis Leading the Way

2. We believe there are disruptive ideas that can benefit us all.

3. Like the opportunities that lie around food quality, access and opportunity.

4. Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safety Immigration issues and agricultural workforce needs Health issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safety Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safety Immigration issues and agricultural workforce needs Health issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies Immigration issues and agricultural workforce needs Health issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies Trends toward fresher, less processed food Trend toward transparency re: food sources and methods Dramatically growing food needs worldwide Low grower and distributor margins Competing uses for commodity crops The already high impact of oil and fuel on food prices (up to 70%) Run-off and other potential degradation from large-scale growers and processors Food security and safety Immigration issues and agricultural workforce needs Health issues around current diet Impact of irrigation on fresh-water supplies What’s wrong with our current system?

5. Like it or not, our present food, energy and water solutions are unsustainably interdependent. How can a community help find a better way?

7. an ENTREPRENEUR turns promising ideas into usable systemstogether they can bring solutions to life very efficiently

8. We need solutions that address all aspects of the problem

9. The Vertical Farm concept is at the center of these issues Vertical Farm Concept

10. What’s a vertical farm? A concept that will “revolutionize food, the environment, energy and economic development.”* *According to its proponents.

12. Fresh food year-round from urban sites

13. High efficiency through new hydroponic, aquaculture and green tech

14. Elimination of transportation costs

15. Net-zero or surplus energyand water

16. Local jobs producing healthy food sustainably

18. The USB innovation story

19. Why should we care? St. Louis is uniquely positioned to explore and bring to life the elements of a vertical farm.

20. Aligned Interests…

21. Who could be part of this?

22. Sample Benefits Greentribes is a business about growing commercial distribution for green food businesses. They might gain these benefits from their participation: Dfklj;asdk Kasjfl; They might contribute to the effort with: Expertise abc Resources xyz

23. Sample Benefits Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group is about re-building a sustainable and inclusive community in an urban environment. They might gain these benefits from their participation: Dfklj;asdk Kasjfl; They might contribute to the effort with: Expertise abc Resources xyz

24. Sample Benefits Universities are increasingly about providing interdisciplinary research and education opportunities to prepare people for the future. They might gain these benefits from their participation: Dfklj;asdk Kasjfl; They might contribute to the effort with: Expertise abc Resources xyz

25. Sample Benefits Emerson is about developing, making, and global sales of elements of infrastructure solutions (power, process, etc.) They might gain these benefits from their participation: Dfklj;asdk Kasjfl; They might contribute to the effort with: Expertise abc Resources xyz

26. lean collaboration platform process repeats for the duration of project

28. Collaborative use of space and facilities

29. Appreciation of economic, food, and environmental sustainability

30. Openness to new business models

31. An inclusive identity attractive to urban pioneers and the creative classHyde Park Existing Food Distribution Infrastructure Old North St. Louis New I-70 Bridge Downtown St. Louis

32. Sample Neighborhood Assets – Old North St. Louis Produce Row Crown Candy Interstate Access High-Traffic Arterial Roads Old North Food Co-Op Vibrant Community Association 14th Street Mall Existing Businesses DIY-Focused (wealth-building) Residents Existing Bike Trails (connecting to Riverfront Trail) Suggested Site New Housing New I-70 Bridge Existing Transit

33. Potential Elements Nearby Residential and Commercial Neighborhood Integration Projects (where possible) Education, Outreach and Activity Spaces/Pavilions Planting Beds and Visioning Art Throughout Project Vision Mural(s) Meeting Space, Cafe and Micro-Business Incubator (with secure Bike parking) Workshop and Job Training Demonstration Sites – 4 phases

34. Exporting Success Supporting products and services Viable and scalable model St. Louis Demonstration Project Experienced Staff Thought Leadership

35. Sample Scope Site Lease, utilities, insurance, improvements Identity Content, art, digital assets, ongoing narrative Demonstration sites Site prep, structures and systems (in-kind wherever possible) Demonstration projects: Best practices – plant, aquaculture, small animal, processing, green energy, preparation Business incubation/acceleration, workforce development Project operation and facilitation Director, site director, stakeholder engagement director, volunteer director, project initiation funds, student staffing, challenge grant funding and incubator mentoring Outreach and communication Content, education, publicity and documentation

36. Member Benefits Low-risk exploration of emerging model R&D and in-market evaluation of products, approaches and systems Integrated solution proof of concept Training and development Constructive dialogue with entire community (including critics) Opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership

38. A commitment to do R&D and/or outreach at the project

40. A marketable destination for B2C, B2B, and B2E outreach

41. Ongoing content, activities and programming

42. Attitudinal research and opportunity to engage influencers

43. Facilitated collaboration

44. Employee training and development opportunities

46. To agree to bring your best thinking and efforts to testing, demonstrating and refining the concept

47. To agree to help us tell the story through your existing communication efforts and assist in creating shared new ones

49. TheVerticalFarm St. Louis Leading the Way