MODULAR FARMS
GROW FOOD ANYWHERE
24/7 Food Production
365 Days a Year
OUR MODULAR FARMS
Foundation Farms introduces fully functioning hydroponic farms built within insulated composite-steel modules capable of growing food anywhere on earth. Designed to maximise usable space, larger 40’ x 10’ modules allow for increased air circulation and crop yields. With composite, rust-resistant panels, our Modular Farms can operate anywhere on Earth.
Our Modular Farms are perfect for business leaders who have existing land and would like to contribute to local food security. Connectable, integrated modules allow for truly scalable business, year round revenue and successful crop yields.
THE SYSTEM
The Modular Farm System is purpose built for extreme conditions. Developed for placement around the globe to deliver perfect produce year round. Each farm serves a unique purpose in the diversity and scalability of a farmer’s business.
A single Modular Farm is a fully-functional and financially viable business designed to eliminate supply chain headaches by delivering produce when and where you need it.
INCLUDED IN EACH FARM
240, 8’ Zip Grow Towers
60 Double Sided LEDs
Multi-function work table
Farm automation and staged climate control system
Modular Farm Construction
DIMENSIONS: 40’ x 10’ x 10’ pre-fabricated steel container (Each order custom built)
WEIGHT: Approximately 14,000 lbs and has an insulation value of R22
INTERIOR: Moisture resistant fixtures with stainless steel workspaces, powder coated and mould-resistant aluminum, and hermetically sealed components
LIGHTING: 60 Double Sided LEDs, 8ft 150W horizontal mounted. Tuned LED spectrum for vertical growth Automated day / night cycle
IMPROVED ACCESS: Mechanically retracting light curtains
PLANT SITES: Over 3,800 plant sites
NURSERY: Space for 3,600 seedlings
CLIMATE: Commercial HVAC with dedicated dehumidification and duct delivery. Closed-loop air recycling system eliminates the need for ambient air
AUTOMATION: Heating, cooling, ventilation, dehumidification and CO2 supplementation.
OPTIONAL FEATURES: Reverse osmosis water filtration, 5-stage, in-duct UV & carbon air purifier.
CONSTRUCTION
Each Modular Farm is a custom-built 40' x 40' x 10' steel and composite material box built specifically for growing plants.
We DO NOT use shipping containers, which are ill-suited for plant growth or for controlling humidity in harsh environments.
HEATING
The HVAC system cools and does not heat. The plants and lights generate enough heat to keep the farm warm. As we do operate our farms during extreme winter weather, we have found that added heat is not required.
TRANSPORT
The Modular Farm was designed to be the absolute biggest container possible that could still ship on a freight truck, a train or a sea vessel.
ELECTRICAL
Each 40’ Module requires three-phase 50amp services (50amp per phase max demand). The primary module draws average 250 kw per day or approximately 10kwh
lighting
The LEDs in our farms were specifically designed to grow crops which is not always the case in competing systems on the market. Combined with a properly controlled environment, our LEDs have helped us to realize a yield volume that is increased up to 80% over competing container farms on the market. Yes, 80%!. The Module provides unprecedented crop yields and industry leading ROI.
CONTROLLED CLIMATE
Our Modular Farms have a HEPA filtered air intake and exhaust system that is only used in emergency CO2 venting situations where preservation of human life is a factor. Otherwise, our farms not only recycle water in a closed-loop, recirculating system, they also recycle air. Modular Farms are equipped with dedicated, commercial grade air conditioning and dehumidification.
Hydroponic, closed loop watering system uses 95% less water than a traditional farm.
STRUCTURAL
Each Module is 8000kgs. Substrate / pad materials can include gravel / trap rock, railroad ties (creosote free), sonotube or concrete slab. Asphalt may be sufficient (think parking lots) however, due to the weight, grass, soil and other soft surfaces are not suitable as the farm will sink into the ground. The farm must be placed on a level surface as the interior components are assembled on a grade to permit gravity return of water.
water
Water can be provided via soft (garden hose) or hard (pipes) lines. We recommend the use of a soft, portable water safe garden hose even in regions where freezing temperatures can occur. Water replenishments occur infrequently and the risk of freezing lines and cost of pipes may be prohibitive for some new farmers. A water quality test is highly recommended before your farm arrives. This will help determine which water management protocols need to be put in place for your crops and will reveal any potential issues with bacteria, pathogens or other harmful elements.
MODULAR FARMING INFO
It’s one thing to build a system that can grow food. It’s another to build one that grows food exceptionally well, can do so all year in any climate, with a real ROI for farmers and actually be a fun place to work. This cannot be said of any shipping container farm on the market.
Modular Farms are HACCP, under our food safety standards and regulations and were built to do one thing: grow food. Our farms are designed to accommodate up to 4 farmers working at a time. We design and build everything from a farmer’s perspective, because we’re farmers too.
With over 2 years of experience, and headaches, of farming in shipping container farms, we know how uncomfortable it can be to work in confined spaces. It might not sound like a lot, but an extra 23.5 inches of width in our farms makes a world of difference in avoiding worker fatigue.
Our large island style work station is a great space to share when working with friends, family or co-workers.
Bright walls, easy access corners, smooth floors and work surfaces and a HACCP certified workspace means that keeping a Modular Farm clean and well maintained is a breeze. Did you know you can clean the entire floor of a Modular Farm to the highest degree of cleanliness in under 5 minutes?
Well you can! That’s not happening with a corrugated floor in a shipping container and is actually one of the several reasons why shipping container don’t make food safe farms. Those corrugated floors are a great place to harbor dirt, mould and bacteria. This is not at all ideal for growing clean food in a small space, and certainly not an issue that can be swept under a rug.
Two separate walkable work aisles is another great attribute of the Modular Farm. Regular visual inspections of crops are absolutely crucial if a farm is to be successful. The process of crop inspections in a Modular Farm is so terribly simple it should be outlawed. With aisle widths of 1 meter it’s a snap to walk the farm and make sure everything is in order. You also don’t need to move towers or disturb often delicate plants to inspect crops.
In Modular Farms, you don’t need to move a single tower to harvest your crops. That’s right, it’s as simple as walking up to a wall and cutting stems or pulling out a head of lettuce.
This process not only saves considerable time in harvesting food, it also eliminates substantial yield loss and plant damage normally associated to working in shipping container farms.
DELIVERY & UNLOADING
Your farm will arrive on a flatbed transport / semi truck. A crane with spreader bar equipment will be required to unload your farm. The unloading and hook up process usually takes 3-5 hours.
The hired transport and equipment operators will do most of the work and literal heavy lifting. A Modular Farm Field Agent can be hired to be onsite to ensure everything goes smoothly the day your farm arrives. This service also includes overseeing tradespeople and setting everything up inside your farm to make sure you’re ready to get planting as soon as possible. There is a fee for this service.
Please contact us to learn more about becoming a joint venture partner.
