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 Hiphen, an indoor farming technology company based in France. The interview is with Alexis Comar, Founder and CEO of Hiphen. To learn more about Hiphen and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details SecondBloom Auctions, a company based in the United States. The interview is with Chris Lange, Manager of Strategic Partnerships at SecondBloom Auctions. To learn more about SecondBloom Auctions and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Smart Oasis Farm, an indoor farming company based in the UK. The interview is with Suzanne Tate, Chief Design Officer at Smart Oasis Farm. To learn more about Smart Oasis Farm and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Tunable, a Nanotechnology company developing and making gas sensing solutions based in Norway. The interview is with Tharindu Madduma, Business Development Manager at Tunable. To learn more about Tunable and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Rift Labs, a cutting-edge light-based solutions provider based in Norway. The interview is with Halvard Aagaard, CEO of Rift Labs. To learn more about Rift Labs and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Biotalys, a Biotechnology Research company based in Belgium. The interview is with Toon Musschoot, Head of Investor Relations and Communications at Biotalys. To learn more about Biotalys and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details HerbaFabrica, an indoor farming company based in the Czech Republic. The interview is with Karolína Pumprová, Founder of HerbaFabrica. To learn more about HerbaFabrica and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details VaVersa, an indoor farming company based in the Netherlands. The interview is with Olivier Francescangeli, Co-Founder of VaVersa. To learn more about VaVersa and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Simply Grow Ltd, an indoor farming company based in the UK. The interview is with Sylwia Golebiowska, CEO of Simply Grow Ltd. To learn more about Simply Grow Ltd and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full InterviewThis interview details Collective Joy Farm, an indoor farming company based in Canada. The interview is with Tammara Maher, Founder of Collective Joy Farm. To learn more about Collective Joy Farm and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!
View Full Interview