Nearly half of the fruits and vegetables that Americans buy throughout the year come from overseas. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, there’s always going to be a desire for locally grown produce. Local produce creates a shorter supply chain, which means less time spent in transit and fresher vegetables. See why shipping container farms are an innovative type of agriculture to aid farmers in more sustainable farming.
What Are Container Farms?
Containers farms are unique structures that companies create out of shipping containers for the purpose of growing crops. These facilities operate similarly to greenhouses and allow farmers to control the temperature, humidity, climate, and other factors to create a specific environment that works best for whatever plants they’re trying to grow.
Benefits of Container Farms
Shipping container farms are an innovative type of agriculture thanks to their many unique benefits. One of the most notable advantages is the short supply chain, allowing restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses to receive fresh produce. Because farmers can customize the climates and conditions of their container farms, they can grow crops that may not otherwise cultivate in that region (such as rhubarb, which typically doesn’t do well in the Florida heat).
Other advantages of container farms are that their structure and interior design help protect them from wild animals and insects, reducing the need for pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Farmers may grow healthier, more organic plants thanks to the safely contained farm.
Notable Precautions
Despite the unique advantages of shipping container farms, they’re not a perfect solution. Container farms are naturally more costly than other farming options and maintain a much higher level of surveillance. Farmers must take extra care to perfectly balance the interior temperature, humidity levels, and soil quality to ensure their crops stay in healthy conditions.
International Port Management Enterprise has your back if you wish to learn more about the versatile nature of pop-up containers. We design, produce, and construct shipping container structures for residential and commercial use. To see how we can help you with your container project, contact us anytime to speak to one of our specialists.