By “underserved populations” we mean those who struggle to find meaningful work and upwardly mobile career opportunities. While the team in our flagship Jackson, Wyoming farm comprises community members with developmental disabilities (such as those with Autism and Down Syndrome), our model can work with other forgotten workforces, such as formerly incarcerated citizens and immigrants seeking asylum.
💡“Profit and people go hand in hand. We’re profitable because of our people.” — Nona Yehia, CEO of Vertical Harvest
At Vertical Harvest, inclusion isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a growth strategy. With one of the lowest attrition rates in our sector, we’ve proven that investing in your team drives both performance and purpose.
And let’s be clear: Impact isn’t a trade-off for profit.
We’re laser-focused on financial discipline because profit is the unlock to impact—not the other way around. That’s how you build real systems change.
📈🌿 Hear more from Nona on the FoodTech Junkies podcast about how Vertical Harvest is rewriting the script on what a successful ag business looks like.
@edibleplanetventures @verticalnona
#VerticalHarvest #PeopleFirstProfitForward #InclusiveEmployment #AgTech #UrbanFarming #SocialImpact #DisabilityInclusion #SustainableBusiness #WomenInLeadership
👩🌾 “I know I don’t look like a farmer—but I am.” — Nona Yehia, CEO of Vertical Harvest
At Vertical Harvest, we lead with operations, not hype. We grow real food, create real jobs, and build farms that deliver real returns—like a projected 40% EBITDA at our Maine location. In a field where too many vertical farms have overpromised and underdelivered, we’ve stayed grounded in what matters:
✔️ Disciplined operations
✔️ Financial fundamentals
✔️ Culture that sustains performance
Yes, we’re in foodtech. But first and foremost? We’re farmers. And that’s how we’re reshaping what’s possible.
🎧 Dive into more from Nona’s FoodTech Junkies episode—where she talks about reclaiming value in uncertain markets, building trust with investors, and becoming “kings and queens of blended finance.”
@edibleplanetventures @verticalnona
#VerticalHarvest #UrbanFarming #FarmersFirst #FoodTech #AgTech #EBITDA #InclusiveEconomy #BlendedFinance #WomenInAg
🌱 “A farm is an ecosystem.” — Nona Yehia, CEO of Vertical Harvest
In indoor agriculture, it’s not enough to bolt together high-tech parts and hope for synergy. At Vertical Harvest, we’ve always seen ourselves as systems integrators—bringing together the brightest minds and latest innovations across HVAC, LED lighting, plant science, and more.
Why? Because success isn’t just in the tools—it’s in how you design the whole. 💡🪴
🎙️ Hear Nona’s insights from her FoodTech Junkies podcast interview and discover how thinking like architects of ecosystems—not owners of tech—gives us an edge in growing food and impact.
@edibleplanetventures @verticalnona @sharon.cittone
#VerticalHarvest #ControlledEnvironmentAgriculture #FoodTech #UrbanFarming #SustainableDesign #SmartFarming #EcosystemThinking #WomenInAgTech
🌱💚 From Our Farm to Your Heart — Thank You! 💚🌱
To everyone who has sponsored a tray at Vertical Harvest so far — THANK YOU. Your support nourishes more than just plants — it helps grow opportunities, inclusion, and impact in our community. 🥬✨
Every name on this list represents a seed of change. Together, we`re cultivating a future where fresh food and meaningful employment flourish side by side.
We see you. We appreciate you. We couldn’t do this without you. 🙌
👉 Want to join this amazing list of change-makers?
Sponsoring a tray is easy — and powerful. Your sponsorship directly supports our mission to grow food and futures for all. Learn more at the link on our bio!
#ThankYou #SponsorATray #GrowWithUs #VerticalHarvest #InclusionInAction #CommunityPoweredFarming
🌱 New Merch Drop Alert! 🌈
Our 1st Edition Run is here — for a limited time only! Rep the mission, support inclusive employment, and grow good with us—one tee and tote at a time.
With every Vertical Harvest swag purchase, you`ll be looking VERY COOL and supporting our Grow Well Model—Vertical Harvest’s customized employment approach that champions personal growth, professional development, and community engagement for our entire farm team. Grow Well drives inclusive hiring and brings joy and meaning to our work culture.
🛒 Orders will be collected through June, followed by screen printing and embroidery. Your swag will arrive by early August—just in time to rock your values at summer’s peak!
👉 Tap the link to grab yours before they`re gone: LINK IN BIO
#VerticalHarvest #GrowGood #InclusiveEmployment #SustainableStyle #GrowWell
📸 What an honor!
Vertical Harvest was recently honored at the Maine Real Estate and Development Association Notable Night as one of the Top 9 Notable Projects built in Maine in 2024! 🌱🏆
It was a true celebration of responsible development and the power of partnership to grow something greater—from sustainable local food systems to inclusive employment opportunities.
Huge thanks to our partners who helped bring this vision to life: Wright-Ryan Construction (@wrightryanconstruction), Harriman, Haley Ward (@haley_ward_inc), FAME (@fame.maine), USDA Rural Development Maine, and Madison One.
We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s feeding communities, empowering people, and investing in Maine’s future. 💚
#MEREDAturns40 #NotableNight2025 #MaineRealEstate #ResponsibleDevelopment #NotableProjectAwardRecipient #UrbanFarming #InclusiveEmployment #VerticalHarvest
Vertical Farming 2.0: Smarter, leaner, and more impactful. 🌱
As the vertical farming industry matures, so do the systems that power it. Our Head of Farm Technology & Systems, Arik Griffin, recently spoke with our partners at Thrive Agritech (@thriveagritech) about what it takes to build the next generation of smart, scalable farms.
In the conversation, Arik shares how Vertical Farming 2.0 is defined by:
✅ Operational efficiency
✅ Profitable, data-driven systems
✅ Refined processes that scale impact
✅ Innovation that strengthens the food system
This is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with purpose. It`s designed to deliver real returns while moving the needle on the future of food.
#VerticalHarvest #VerticalFarming #CEA #AgTech #SmartFarming #FutureOfFood #SustainableAg #FoodSystemInnovation #ControlledEnvironmentAgriculture
🌆 Featured in the Washington Post!
“We’re building a local food system,” says our co-founder and CEO, Nona Yehia (@verticalnona), in our latest Washington Post feature. 📰🌱
What we’re creating in Westbrook, ME shows that inclusive, hyperlocal farming can spark real change—revitalizing cities, creating jobs, and increasing access to fresh food.
As Nona puts it: “We hope this model we`re building in Maine will be in cities across the United States.”
📲 Read more at the link in bio.
This is how we grow the future. Together.
#VerticalHarvest #WashingtonPost #LocalFoodSystem #CEA #FoodEquity #UrbanFarming #HyperlocalFood #FarmingForTheFuture #InclusiveEmployment #SustainableCities
📣 Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). And a great reminder that accessibility isn’t a checkbox, it’s a commitment to equity, dignity, and inclusion.
🌱 Why should every business bring in the Disability Community to view a worksite through the lens of accommodations and accessibility?
Because it changes everything.
Recently, at Vertical Harvest Maine, we invited a group of experts — including ADA specialists, Disability Rights advocates, employment support reps, and most importantly, individuals with lived disability experience — to tour our new farm and offer feedback on how we could increase accessibility in our workspace. @disabilityrightsmaine
What did we learn?
So much.
And that we should have done this even sooner.
Seen here: our new accessibility ramp at Vertical Harvest Maine!
Inclusion at all levels of a project is essential. There are countless considerations that non-disabled individuals might overlook when designing for accessibility. What we gained wasn’t just insights — we gained community.
To other businesses: Don’t avoid this process out of fear of getting it wrong. Be humble. Be open. Instead of worrying about what you missed, get to work making it better. That’s how growth happens.
Stay tuned to learn more (more learnings in the coming months)!
#GAAD2025 #AccessibilityMatters #DisabilityInclusion #InclusiveDesign #VerticalHarvest #BuiltForEveryone #MaineFarm #CommunityDriven #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
🌱 Another big story in Mainebiz!
Hot on the heels of our Washington Post feature, we`re honored to be spotlighted in another major story—this time by @Mainebiz!
The article highlights how our Jackson, Wyoming and Westbrook, Maine facilities are creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. By leveraging technology like Zoom and Google Chat, and tailoring training to diverse learning styles, we`re breaking down barriers to entry and fostering a workforce that reflects the richness of our community.
Co-founder and CEO Nona Yehia (@verticalnona) shares, “First and foremost, this is about smart business. We know that companies that embrace inclusive hiring gain access to a highly motivated, untapped talent pool made of the right people who bring problem solving skills, dedication, and fresh perspectives. We’re addressing this critical national labor issue."
Discover how we`re bridging the gap between workforce shortages and untapped talent pools: Click the link in bio! 🔗
#InclusiveHiring #VerticalFarming #DisabilityEmployment #SmartBusiness #VerticalHarvest
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VERTICAL HARVEST HEADQUARTERS & MEDIA INQUIRIES
info@verticalharvestfarms.com
PO Box 641
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JACKSON, WYOMING
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