AdventHealth

This interview details AdventHealth, a company based in the United States. The interview is with Christy Miller, Director at AdventHealth.

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What is the origin story of AdventHealth Farm? 

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AdventHealth is built on the principle of whole person care. Investing in the health of our team members aligns with our sustainability journey. Good nutrition and making positive choices to influence well-being is an integral part of our CREATION Life principles. It is our obligation to provide employees with the tools and resources to develop healthy habits in and out of the office. Food has become a core component of CREATION Life and providing healthy options for our staff. This was seen as a gap in living the principle of whole person care and an opportunity to meet the parallel needs of the community and our staff by growing our own greens. 

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There was an interest in growing produce at AH Celebration for several years. As the campus grew it became difficult to find the space for a traditional greenhouse. Container farming uses less space and produces more so it was the perfect answer. Patty Jo Toor saw the concept on a news program and pitched it to the executive team who agreed to the project. 

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing AdventHealth Farm in the future?

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The ability to scale the Farm across the organization.

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What is unique about AdventHealth Farm compared to other farms?

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Instead of growing food outdoors or in a greenhouse, AH uses vertical racks inside a shipping container. LED lights provide light adjusted for the optimal mix of red and blue light for the photosynthesis of each plant species being grown. Instead of plants growing horizontally such as in traditional outdoor farms, AH crops are grown vertically on tall, dual-sided towers hanging from the shipping container ceiling in rows, with carefully regulated nutrient water flowing from top to bottom.

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What are some other relevant metrics of the project (growing area size, production quantity, team size, etc.)?

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Hydroponic vertical farming reduces the carbon footprint associated with traditional agricultural practices. This efficient use of resources helps to minimize deforestation, soil erosion and water use and pollution.

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Additionally, hydroponic systems can optimize nutrient delivery to plants, leading to higher crop yields and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. This can help decrease the production and application of chemical fertilizers which contribute to greenhouse emissions. 

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One container farm can produce as much as 3.5 acres of land. 

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Vertical farming also allows for year-round production eliminating the need for long distance transportation of perishable crops. By bringing food production closer to urban areas, the transportation emissions associated with importing food from distant locations can be reduced. 

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Water efficiency – The farm can grow up to 13,000 plants at one time but only uses 5 gallons of water each day. This is 99% less water than traditional agriculture.

Because it is a closed loop system, water is recaptured and reused reducing water waste by using up to 90% less water. Water from the farm’s dehumidifier is captured and pulled into the water tanks. 

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Clean safe produce since hydroponics uses neither soil nor manure which are two major instigators of foodborne illness.

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Enables farmers to grow 3 to 10 times more crops in the same amount of space as conventional farms.

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Enables a much more efficient growth process creating 7 to 14 times more growth cycles than traditional farming thus increasing output.  

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Can grow all year round without concern for weather impacts.  

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Eliminates the use of harmful pesticides that pose adverse effects to humans and surrounding ecosystems, farming indoors eliminates crop vulnerability to minimal and extreme pest invasion. No runoff pollution.

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What are some goals in 2024 and beyond for AdventHealth Farm? 

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We plan to add two additional Farms to supply other campuses within our region with fresh produce for their cafés and food pantries. We also plan to collaborate with universities and other educational institutions to introduce their students to hydroponic farming through internship and volunteer programs. 

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How can people connect with you or learn more about AdventHealth Farm?

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Sean Toor

Sean.toor@adventhealth.com

Christy Miller

Christy.miller@adventhealth.com

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