Farming in Extreme Climates is Easy with Controlled Environment Agriculture

A Freight Farmer holds a plant panel of lettuce outside in the snow

Freight Farmers use controlled environment agriculture methods to grow food year-round, even in the most extreme climates.

Ever wonder how Freight Farmers in such different parts of the world all grow food year-round using the same farming platform? The secret is advanced climate control. Our Greenery™ S container farm uses powerful technology to create the perfect growing day inside, even when nature brings rain, snow, suffocating heat, blistering cold, or a powerful storm.

Insulation to keep the outside out

We use custom-built containers for the Greenery S so that we have ultimate control over the insulation. As a result, our container farms have an R-28 insulation rating (whereas typical refrigerated containers have an insulation rating of R-16). This level of insulation protects plants from harsh weather conditions, allowing the farm to stay cool in the blazing heat of summer, warm on the coldest of winter days, and dry in the worst of storms.

Exterior of a Freight Farm surrounded by snow

Environmental sensors to create the perfect day

The Greenery S has a series of environmental sensors that constantly measure climate conditions such as temperature and humidity. The sensors relay the information to the in-farm controller, which responds by automatically making environmental tweaks with the use of:

LED Lights

Not only do the vertical, high-efficiency LEDs mimic sunlight and deliver growth-optimized spectrums of red and blue light, they are also the key heat source for the farm. The LED lights inside the farm provide enough heat to eliminate the need for a traditional heater, even in extremely cold climates.

Learn more about the LEDs in the Greenery S >
Read our blog about LEDs >

Air Conditioning

On hot days, the Greenery S can keep cool with a hardworking 36,000 BTU Northern Air A/C system. This standard unit has the same output as a commercial freezer, meaning that your plants can thrive even on the most scorching days. On top of its commercial capacity, the Northern Air system has an integrated economizer, which uses a sensor to gauge outdoor temperatures. If outdoor temps are lower than those in the farm, it pulls in the colder air directly to cool the farm instead of running the A/C. This helps you control your climate while also reducing overall energy use of the Greenery S.

Learn more about climate control in the Greenery S >
Read our blog about controlled environment agriculture >

Dehumidifier

During extreme weather, the temperatures inside and outside of the farm can become drastically different and cause the farm to become very humid. If left unchecked, extreme humidity can negatively affect your plant growth and farm yields. That’s why the Northern Air system also comes with an integrated dehumidifier system, which controls humidity levels by pulling the extra moisture out of the air and filtering it back into the farm’s main tank. In addition to reducing the humidity inside the farm, this helps our Freight Farmers to reduce their water usage by creating a circular water system — some farms are actually water positive!

Learn more about hydroponics in the Greenery S >
Read about hydroponic farming >

seedling station in the Greenery S under purple LED lights

Hydroponic edible calendula flowers in Greenery S plant panels

Tips from Our Farm Systems Expert

Keep your farm in the shade to reduce your need for A/C — and therefore your electricity costs — during the hottest months.
We encourage all our Freight Farmers to customize the outside of their Greenery S with a branded vinyl wrap. However, choose light-reflecting colors, such as white, and avoid light-absorbing dark colors, such as black. Your farm will heat up less during the sunny months, and you can save on A/C electricity costs.
Snow can be your friend! Having snow piled up against the sides of your Greenery S adds an extra layer of insulation, which helps keep the inside of your farm toasty warm.