CubicAcres

CubicAcres is a vertical farming company operating in the Long Island and New York City metropolitan areas, specializing in the cultivation of agricultural produce for the local community. The company was co-founded by Ryan McGann (CTO) and Bruce Newman (CFO). McGann, who also serves as CEO, has a background as a chef and an engineer, a combination that informs the company's approach to food production. The initial idea for the company formed in 2020, leading to the launch of a container farm as a proof of concept in 2021. This was followed by securing a permanent facility in 2022 and introducing advanced automation and vertical farming systems in 2023.

The company's business is centered on providing fresh, sustainable produce to distributors and restaurants. Its product line includes a variety of crops such as baby arugula, basil, kale, bibb, romaine, and microgreens. A key milestone was a $3.7 million funding round in partnership with Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), a Scottish agricultural technology firm. This capital is designated for a significant expansion of production capacity, including the construction of a new 11,000-square-foot, fully automated vertical farming facility in Calverton, Long Island, projected to yield one to three million heads of lettuce annually.

CubicAcres utilizes a soil-free, chemical-free hydroponic system. The technology, powered by IGS, involves growing crops in stacked layers within a controlled indoor environment, which allows for year-round production independent of external weather conditions. The farms are 100% automated, from seeding to harvesting, and feature advanced climate control that monitors and adjusts light, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels in real-time. This methodology is highly efficient, using up to 95% less water than traditional farming and eliminating the need for pesticides. The company states its produce is grown using methods that exceed organic standards. The controlled environment also allows for the replication of specific growing conditions from different parts of the world to cultivate specialized products, such as Genevese basil.

Keywords: vertical farming, hydroponics, agricultural technology, sustainable agriculture, urban farming, controlled environment agriculture, fresh produce, local food production, AgTech, food supply chain, automated farming, soil-free farming, indoor farming, lettuce cultivation, microgreens, Long Island agriculture, New York City food market, Intelligent Growth Solutions, sustainable food systems, innovative farming