This interview details Ditto, an indoor farming company based in the United States. The interview is with Derek Drake, CEO of Ditto.
Ditto started after Derek lost his job at Northwestern during the pandemic. The name itself comes from the idea of reciprocity. Ditto is an agreement.
Our biggest challenge is, quite frankly, time. We both have full-time day jobs, 4 kids, 22 chickens, and a big life. Finding the time to tend to the business is critical. We have the customers, thankfully. Running a small business is a beast.
The difference is, in my opinion, intent. We want to bring access to communities that people are not investing in. Communities like the one I grew up in of Ford Heights. Also, we are focused on building out a food system where it is most needed.
In 320 sqft, we grow 3 acres of leafy greens, lettuce, herbs, and root veggies.
We do. We use a 20lb canister that lasts about 2-3 weeks. I don't think it's necessary but it is helpful. When I spend a lot of time on the farm I reduce the amount of CO2 being pumped into the farm.
That is probably one of the biggest areas of opportunity for us. Fortunately, our farm has 3 modes that we can choose from. We have an eco mode, standard, and high-performance mode. Of course, Eco keeps the costs low. We use that mode when we are either in full bloom or right at the beginning of germinating. Performance is when we are trying to make a quick turnaround. Typically we operate in Standard. Our cost is around 14-16 cents per kWh.
Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or visit our website. We also love old-fashioned phone calls.
This interview details Ljusgårda, an indoor farming company based in Sweden. The interview is with Andreas Wilhelmsson, CEO of Ljusgårda. To learn more about Ljusgårda and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Neopouss, an indoor farming company based in France. The interview is with Quentin Jeandel, Co-Founder of Neopouss. To learn more about Neopouss and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Allwell Greens, an indoor farming company based in the United States. The interview is with Judy Cari, Founder of Allwell Greens. To learn more about Allwell Greens and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Planet Farms, an indoor farming company based in Italy. The interview is with Daniele Benatoff, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Planet Farms. To learn more about Planet Farms and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details aponix, an indoor farming company based in Germany. The interview is with Marco Tidona, inventor of the aponix. To learn more about aponix and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Al Aliyo Farms, an indoor farming company based in the UAE. The interview is with Tarannum Malik, Managing Director of Al Aliyo Farms. To learn more about Al Aliyo Farms and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details urban-gro, an indoor farming company based in the United States. The interview is with Bradley Nattrass, CEO of urban-gro. To learn more about urban-gro and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Innovation Agritech Group, an indoor farming technology company based in the UK. The interview is with Jaz Singh, Founder & CEO of Innovation Agritech Group. To learn more about Innovation Agritech Group and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Winter Farm, an indoor farming company based in Canada. The interview is with Daphné Mailhot, Marketing & Communication Director of Winter Farm. To learn more about Winter Farm and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details TotalGrow, an LED horticultural lights provider based in Holland, MI US. The interview is with Jeff Mastin, Director of Lighting Science and Products of TotalGrow. To learn more about TotalGrow and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full Interview