# Unlikely Urban Farming (UPDATE) Vertical Harvest Breaks Ground at a Vacant Parking Lot in Wyoming By Meghan Young | Published 2015-02-24 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertical-harvest References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3042610/a-vacant-lot-in-wyoming-will-become-one-of-the-worlds-first-vertical-farms) & [verticalharvestjackson](http://www.verticalharvestjackson.com/) [Vertical Harvest](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sigma-air) is a startup set on making history. Although people have been treated to a range of vertical farm concepts over the years, it is going to be made a reality in Jackson, Wyoming. This city might be an unlikely choice for Vertical Harvest with its an altitude over a mile high andsnow that can last until May -- not to mention lots that cost well over $1 million -- the startup has found a clever way around it by way of an abandoned parking lot. This space will be converted into a [three-story stack of greenhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-greenhouse-is-your-kitchen) filled with crops like [microgreens and tomatoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaged-microgreens). Penny McBride, one of Vertical Harvest co-founders, says, "We're replacing food that was being grown in Mexico or California and shipped in." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Vertical Farming:** The concept of vertical farming is being implemented in Jackson, Wyoming by Vertical Harvest, opening up opportunities for urban agriculture in unconventional locations. - **Microgreens:** Vertical Harvest's focus on growing microgreens showcases a growing trend in the culinary world, providing a disruptive innovation opportunity for the specialty produce industry. - **Local Food Production:** By replacing imported food with locally grown crops, Vertical Harvest is tapping into the demand for sustainable and locally sourced products, highlighting a trend in the food industry. ### Where This Applies - **Urban Agriculture:** Vertical Harvest's project demonstrates the potential for urban agriculture to thrive in unexpected locations, presenting disruptive opportunities for sustainable food production in cities. - **Food Distribution:** The shift towards locally grown food from Vertical Harvest's innovative farming approach calls for a reassessment of traditional food distribution methods, creating opportunities for disruption and efficiency in the industry. - **Specialty Produce:** The emphasis on growing microgreens by Vertical Harvest highlights a trend in the specialty produce industry, presenting opportunities for innovation and market growth in this niche market segment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Advanced Indoor Farming Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/advanced-indoor-farming.md) - [Enclosed Vertical Farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eco-1.md) - [Department Store Farming Investments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farming-brand-plenty.md) - [App Controlled Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydroponic-farm.md) - [Packaged Microgreens Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaged-microgreens.md) - [Urban Food Ecosystems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-sphere.md) - [Vertically Farmed Leafy Greens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bristol-farms.md) - [Minimalist Indoor Gardening Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balconyfarm-pot.md) - [Haute Hydroponic Gardening Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oasis-smart-farm.md)