Vertical Harvest will be a Wyoming based agri-business that will enhance the local economy by operating year round to sell, for profit, fresh, locally grown produce to the community through multiple venues at a competitive, consistent price.
Provide
Inclusive employment opportunities for our citizens with disabilities.
Grow
Premium grade vegetables and fruit in Jackson all year round.
Develop
An economically self sufficient business that will serve our community for many years to come.
Vertical Harvest of Jackson Hole is an innovative, sustainable agri-business that will fill an increasing demand for locally grown, fresh produce by building a three-story, 13,500 sq ft hydroponics greenhouse in the heart of Jackson.
Vertical Harvest is a year round business that is creating private sector jobs, strengthening the bottom lines of businesses and establishing an innovative model that employs an under-served Wyoming population: adults with developmental disabilities.
The greenhouse will grow and sell locally grown vegetables to Jackson Hole restaurants, local grocery stores and directly to customers year-round, providing a stable, consistent source of produce at competitive prices. The site for the greenhouse is a currently unused 30’ x 150’ lot owned by the Town of Jackson on the southern edge of a public parking garage in the center of Town.
Vertical Harvest has partnered with a nationally recognized and established greenhouse called Arthur and Friends. Arthur and Friends has been in operation for five years and employs adults with disabilities to operate their greenhouses. This partnership provides Vertical Harvest with a proven hydroponic greenhouse production, training and employment model for our project.
THE VISION:
Create a nationally recognized business that positively impacts the environment and community.
Develop a local-based approach to producing fresh, locally grown food in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Support individuals with developmental disabilities in their pursuit of achieving happiness, success, and employment.
Implement and expand on nutritional and educational programs and initiatives within the community.
How big is Vertical Harvest and how much will it be able to produce?
Vertical Harvest is situated on a site that is 1/10 of an acre. Due to the efficiency of hydroponics and our innovative growing carousels, the greenhouse’s production will be equivalent to that of 5 acres of traditional agriculture. Annually we will grow approximately
44,000 lbs of tomatoes
20,000 lbs of lettuce
4,400 lbs of herbs
10,000 lbs of microgreens
7,500 lbs of baby specialty greens
4,725 lbs of strawberries
Why is Vertical Harvest a L3C instead of a 501c3?
Vertical Harvest is a low-profit limited liability (L3C) company that is a for-profit, social enterprise venture that has a stated goal of performing a socially beneficial purpose along with maximizing income.
For-profit firms often face pressure to abandon social goals in favor of increasing profits and non-profit firms and charities are needlessly restricted in their ability to raise capital when they need to grow. Therefore, Vertical Harvest sees a L3C as the most powerful model to support it as a sustainable business that will stand the test of time.
Will Vertical Harvest be able to function in Jackson’s extreme winters?
Vertical Harvest has been designed specifically for Jackson’s altitude, latitude, climate and location. Vertical Harvest retained a well-respected greenhouse engineer, Larssen Ltd. to help with the project. Larssen Ltd. has 20 years of experience in the field, and has built successful greenhouses in other places with similar climates such as Maine, Siberia and Iceland.
How did Vertical Harvest determine its cost of utilities?
We based Vertical Harvest’s utility cost on the energy costs of a greenhouse that operates at the same latitude as Jackson Hole also designed by our greenhouse engineer Larssen Ltd.
Our current numbers included in the Business Plan reflect a 30% increase in utility costs after review by Scott Kornberg, Chief Technology Officer at American Hydroponics, the largest hydroponic distributor in the U.S. and suggestions by our greenhouse consultant.
Will Vertical Harvest hire an experienced grower?
Once Vertical Harvest is fully funded, the first thing Vertical Harvest will do is hire an experienced Director of Production. We have access to a large pool of qualified candidates and intend to retain a person with extensive experience in all aspects of the Hydroponics Industry including:
experience in system design
operations
crop selection
scheduling/production
pest control
specialty produce troubleshooting
marketing
Why is Vertical Harvest using hydroponics to grow?
Hydroponics farming is a highly productive, environmentally friendly, and space efficient means of farming which offers numerous benefits for both the producer and consumer. Hydroponic crops use 90% less water than the same crops do in traditional farming and their growing systems take up 1/4 of the space as traditional agriculture. Hydroponics crops use no herbicide or pesticide chemicals that are known to significantly impact the environment and our bodies. Some hydroponics crops can grow twice as fast as traditionally farmed crops as they receive exactly the correct amount of nutrients, water and oxygen.
Will Vertical Harvest compete with local farmers?
Vertical Harvest produce will not compete with area growers, but instead will compete with currently imported produce from large-scale distributors whose supply is from distant states. Vertical Harvest will grow locally, and target sales will supplant produce imported to restaurants and local grocery stores, making existing Wyoming businesses, our local customers, stronger and more profitable and stronger, eliminating costly up charges for transportation. As Vertical Harvest will highlight the importance of local food sources, our success will only bring increased attention to all others who also provide fresh, nutritious produce to our community.
Vertical Harvest has been successful in raising all capital costs to break ground in the spring of 2014. In collaboration with the Town of Jackson we are in the process of moving forward to bring this project to life! If you have committed as a Pledge Member we are asking that you honor you commitment by sending in your funds today to: P.O. Box 7290, Jackson, WY 83001. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
PEOPLE:
Executive Director
Penny McBride, a cofounder of Vertical Harvest, will act as the full-time Program Director and will report directly to the Board of Directors at each monthly meeting. Penny specializes in systems organization and strategic planning for environmentally based projects. Penny will utilize the comprehensive resources provided by the Arthur and Friends model to oversee the general operations of the greenhouse, initiate, ensure and maintain positive customer relationships, as well to develop and expand educational partnerships within the community. The Program Director will work alongside the Director of Production to oversee the Employment Facilitator, the Production Employees and the volunteers for the organization.
Director of Production
The Director of Production will be an experienced hydroponic grower in charge of health and production in the greenhouse. Vertical Harvest will fill this position well before it is open for business. We have received many qualified resumes for this manager with experience in all aspects of hydroponic production including commercial growing, system set up, crop scheduling, workforce training, produce marketing, troubleshooting and pesticide free insect/disease control.
Employment Facilitator
Caroline Croft Estay will be the part-time Employment Facilitator will in charge of training and managing the production employees. The Employment Facilitator will work closely with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation staff utilizing employment support programs as well as Support Providers with the Wyoming Medicaid Waiver Program. Caroline Croft Estay has been a Case Manager and a Provider for the Behavioral Health Division of Wyoming specializing in care for children and adults with developmental disabilities since 1999.
Production Employees
Vertical Harvest will employ nine citizens and disabilities part-time (4.5 Full Time Equivalent) per day referred from collaborative organizations. The employees partake in highly structured training programs that will teach them the process of hydroponic farming, including skills such as planting, harvesting, crop management and customer service, which will equip them with transferable works skills that they can use in their futures.. This highly structured and supervised work environment will foster the development of skills for individuals with a wide range of disabilities in order for them to become economically independent and marketable in the workforce.
Partner: Arthur and Friends
Vertical Harvest has partnered with the New Jersey Program Arthur and Friends by purchasing its licensing model. This license includes access to their Business Plan, assistance in hiring vital personnel including the Director of Production, oversight of the installation of the growing systems, a complete vocational training program which includes a comprehensive curriculum and train-the trainer program, support with growing, sales, and marketing. They will work with Vertical Harvest on everything from inception to product sales, giving us all the tools and instruments necessary for success and assessment. The goal of our partnership with Arthur and Friends is to ensure the overall sustainability of our business and program.
Business Structure:
Vertical Harvest will generate modest profits to ensure its fiscal sustainability instead of soliciting charitable contributions year after year from our community. Vertical Harvest has been incorporated as a low-profit limited liability (L3C) company, which is a legal form of business entity in Wyoming and throughout the United States that was created to bridge the gap between non-profit and for-profit investing. An L3C provides a structure that facilitates investments in socially beneficial for-profit ventures. It is a hybrid structure that combines the legal and tax flexibility of a traditional LLC and the social benefits and tax benefits of a nonprofit organization. Vertical Harvest will prove to be a fiscally responsible business that will serve our community for many years to come.
Vertical Harvest has assembled an active Board of Directors and Advisory Board, representing seasoned business leaders, horticulturists, distributors, and representatives of the food service industry. We will hire an experienced head grower with extensive experience in all aspects of the Hydroponics Industry, including experience in system design, operations, crop selection, scheduling/production, pest control, specialty produce troubleshooting, and marketing. The business plan has been reviewed by key figures in the national hydroponics industry, as well as respected business leaders in our community. Their thoughtful comments and suggestions have been integrated into our business plan.
Vertical Harvest Board of Directors
John Rutter: Vice President and Chief Operating Officer – Grand Teton Lodge Company
Kari Cooper: Executive Director – Jackson Hole AIR
Ted and Noa Staryk: Owners – Snake River Brewery
Anna Olson: Brand Director – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Wes Hamilton: Executive Chef – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Bob Arndt: Former Owner – Jackson Whole Grocer
Jen Jacobsen: Nutrition and Food Safety Coordinator – University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension
Arik Griffin: Operations Director – Circumerro Media
Nona Yehia: Partner – E/Ye Design Architecture
Vertical Harvest Advisors
Wendie Blanchard: Program Director – Arthur and Friends Greenhouse Program
Liz Brimmer: Owner – Brimmer Communications & Public Relations
Gingee Prince: Enhanced Capital Partners, Inc.
Ben Mackay: Principal – Evolve Capital
Nathan Adams: Partner – Stratford Group
Caroline Croft: Case Manager – Community Entry Services
Sally Yocum: Employment Advisor
Alli Noland: Terra Public Relations
Design Team
Greenhouse Engineer:
Thomas Larssen has more than 20 years of experience in the greenhouse industry serving more than 18 of those years as a prime consultant for investors, governments and private owners of green industry projects. Larssen Ltd greenhouse engineers (www.l-ge.com) have been involved with greenhouse projects on four different continents designing greenhouses in harsh climates such as Siberia, Iceland, Greenland and Maine all which operate at a profit. Experts at integrating the newest growing trends into their designs, Larssen Ltd has the ability to leverage their experience with emerging technologies to create state-of-the-art agriculture systems that can operate in any kind of climate. Larssen Engineers have worked on the development of Vertical Harvest for 2 years and have been integral to holistic design of the greenhouse including: growing system, lighting, mechanical system and greenhouse shell design.
Architectural:
E/Ye Design is an architectural firm based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming who is acting as the architect of record for the project. Working with Vertical Harvest from the outset, E/Ye Design has developed the general approach to the greenhouse design and coordinated the work of the consultants crucial to the successful development of the project. E/Ye Design has also worked diligently with the local building department and the Town of Jackson to ensure that the design of the greenhouse adheres to all local building codes and requirements set forth by Town.
Structural:
KL&A is a Colorado-based company of structural designers, steel detailers, and builders. They are transforming the way structures are designed and built by rethinking the traditional structural design process, and integrating it with our involvement in the construction process. KL&A Structural Engineers have designed the foundation and steel structure of the greenhouse to comply with Jackson’s stringent seismic code and conditions.
Pledge Members
Becoming a member of the Vertical Harvest community will not only help us with our Business Council application process,but will give you access to a project that will provide you with fresh produce that has retained all of the essential vitamins and minerals that normal produce loses as it goes through the process of being shipped to Jackson. Please join today. Thank you to those that have given already!
• Grand Teton Lodge Company
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Vertical Harvest Seed Fund: $5000 + Pledge
• Mark Sullivan
• Don Baker
• Jeff & Darcy Rice / Jackson Whole Grocer
• 3 anonymous donors
Vertical Harvest Cultivators: $1000 + Pledge
• Alice H Tully
• Becky Eidemiller
• Dane Buk
• Elaine Delmonte
• Ken Zegar
• Timothy Croft
• Travis Rice
• Bridget A. Mullen & Michael Stern
Vertical Harvest Community: $500 + Pledge
• Bob Arndt
• Mark Brooks
• Dan & Sharon Zelenko
• David Toran
• Dimmie Zeigler
• Duke Berry
• George Rapier
• Heath Kuszak
• Alice &Rod Moorhead
• Jennifer Noland
• John Frechette
• John Reed
• Marian Woessner
• Samir Yahia
• Saul J Silverstein
• Susan Pieper-Bailey
• Teagan & Joe Carter
• Virginia R Dabney
Vertical Harvest Facilitators: $250 +Pledge
• Anne Macquarie
• Chris Davis
• James R Little
Vertical Harvest Starters: $100 + Pledge
• Anthony Saxe
• Bob Millsap
• Camille Musser
• Chris Hashley
• Chuck & Missy Woessner
• Colin Musselman
• Gary Silberberg
• Geneva W. Chong
• Hal Tepfer
• Isaiah Frantz
• Jacqueline Ra
• Jakub Galczynski
• Jen Jacobsen
• Jim Carolan
• John Tozzi
• Kari Cooper
• Kimberly Sieradzki
• Mike Dieriex
• Paul Nichols
• Peg Gilday
• Scott Stabile
• Shelby Wyckoff
• Stephen Sullivan
• Susan Boos
• Theresa Dowling Phillips
• Travis Taylor
• Tucker Max
• Wendie Blanchard
Vertical Harvest Members: $50 + Pledge
• Aaron Fein
• Adam Kravetz
• Allison Romaine
• Amy Partrick
• Andi Gordon
• Sndreas Van Rooijen
• Anne Quinn Corr
• Bland Hoke
• Cara Rank
• Caroline Estay
• Carolyn and Andy Ripps
• Carrie Hooper Smith
• Cathy Blount
• Claire Perrin
• Commander Kevin Jameson
• Cynthia Wood
• David A. Gonzales
• David Felsen
• Demetrios Comodromos
• Ellen Sontag Miller
• Giuliano Rinaldi
• Glen Ivey
• Greg Epstein
• Gregory R. Miles
• Jamie Storrs
• Janette Lutz
• Jason Jones
• Jean and Andy Schwartz
• Jean Sazevich
• Jeff Adams
• Joshua Miller
• Katy Niner
• Kendall Meade
• Kerry Grande
• Mark Henderson
• Mark Schulz
• Mary Schroeder
• Nathan Doerr
• Nils-Anders Nøttseter
• Banyon Jarvis
• Patrick Haggood
• Paul Giordano
• Sally Yocum
• Shari Brownfield
• Stephen Rider
• Stuart Kronick
• Suzanne McCash
• Travis Cook
• Wendy Umphrey
• William McQueeney
Kickstarter Members
$1000-$2000
Dane Buk
Timothy L Croft
Elaine Delmonte
Becky Eidemiller
Bridget A. Mullen &
Michael Stern
Travis Rice
Alice H Tully
Ken Zegar
$500
Bob Arndt
Duke Berry
Teagan & Joe Carter
Virginia R Dabney
Heath Kuszak
John Frechette
Jennifer Noland
Susan Pieper-Bailey
George Rapier
John Reed
Saul J Silverstein
David Toran
Marian Woessner
Samir Yahia
Dimmie Zeigler
Dan & Sharon Zelenko
$250
Chris Davis
James R Little
Anne Macquarie
$100
Wendie Blanchard
Susan Boos
Jim Carolan
Kari Cooper
Geneva W. Chong
Mike Dieriex
Isaiah Frantz
Jakub Galczynski
Peggy Gilday
Chris Hashley
Jen Jacobsen
Tucker Max
Bob Millsap
Colin Musselman
Paul Nichols
Theresa Dowling Phillips
Jacqueline Ra
Scott
Anthony Saxe
Kimberly Sieradzki
Gary Silberberg
Stephen Sullivan
Travis Taylor
Hal Tepfer
John Tozzi
Chuck & Missy Woessner
Shelby l Wyckoff
$50
Jeff Adams
Cathy
Cynthia
Ellen
Shari Brownfield
Demetrios Comodromos
Ann Quinn Corr
Travis Cook
Nathan Doerr
Greg Epstein
Caroline Estay
Aaron Fein
David Felsen
Paul Giordano
David A. Gonzales
Andi Gordon
Kerry Grande
Patrick Haggood
Mark Henderson
Bland Hoke
Glen Ivey
Jameson
Jason Jones
Adam K
Commander Kevin
Stuart Kronick
Janette Lutz
Suzanne McCash
William McQueeney
Kendall Meade
Gregory R. Miles
Joshua Miller
Katy Niner
Nils-Anders N√∏ttseter
Panther Page
Claire Perrin
Cara Rank
Giuliano Rinaldi
Allison Romaine
Carolyn and Andy Ripps
Jean Sazevich
Mary Schroeder
Jean and Andy Schwartz
Carrie Hooper Smith
Stephen
Jamie Storrs
Andreas van Rooijen
Wendy Umphrey
Sally Yocum
$25
Nancy Alfs
Avena
Dan Bailey
Marek Belski
Vladimir Boyko
Pat Butera
Curiosity
Fern Culhane
Mary Ann Davis
Jeff Enlow
Betty Erickson
Mike Frank
Dagny Griffin
Arcy Hawks
Casey Holladay
Gary Holmbo
Marissa Fabrizio
Chad Jackson
Jesse
James Keller
Jill Kline
Kuznetsov
Ted Ladd
Josh Leong
Chef Paul Lively
Steven Lopez
Ellen McMicking
Liza Millet
Mycah Miller
Bronwyn Minton
Nam-ho Park
Katrina Petryk
Stephanie Reeve
Ray Redhead
John Rentschler
Don Robertson
Roc
Miga Rossetti
Whitney Royster
Rebecca Rueckert
Joseph Seliga
Jonathan Smith
Chris Smothers
Amy St. Pierre
Terry (Eye Toldyoosso)
Timothk
TetonGravityResearch
Brian Thornton
Erin Threadwell
MellowTigger
Kathy tompkins
Salvador Torres
Pat A Traynor
Greg West
Andrew White
Jeff White
Michael B Wood
Michael B Wood
$10 Joshua Seth Adams
Shaun Banner
Erika Berry
Bradley
Sue Bullock
Mike Canetta
Christopher
Jhana Chinamasta
Lindsey Ekland
Debbie Phillips
Nikki Jeske
Jen Gaber
JP Houed
Beatrice Johnston
H Lynnea
Heiko Maiwand
Wendy Mcdougall
Jeff Meier
Erin Melissa
Adam Meyn
Rob Meyer
Jeff McCoskey
Michelle
Ground Nine
Karl Okerholm
Drew Parrott
Bryan Pizzuti
Michael Ralph
Rachel Reich
Jenny Minor Rogers
Ponteir Sackrey
Giancarlo Jusino Sanchez
Ben Sokoloski
Derek Steen
Sarah Stern
Karen Storrs
Tamara Urben-Imbeault
Todd Waller
Walker
Katie Wolitarky
Tieg Zaharia
$5
Jessica Abbazio
Eleanor Amari
Alexander James Begg
Doug Carter
Robert Clark
Cranderson
Stephan Ditz
Jason Ferris
BlackOpsFlavor
Kevin Flynn
Sharon Fralin
Ochieng Francisca
R.S.Geiger
Domagoj Guscic
SEO Hamburg
Kristian Hanstad
John Haugeland
Kitt Hodsden
Travis Hollaway
Jans Ingber
Garrett W. Jacobs
Aren Jensen
Jhansonxi
Patrice Kangas
Mark Kozak
Josh Kralovic
Inka Leisma
Louis Lipp
Anthony Lobaido
Adam John Manns
Matt McDowell
Una McGurk
David Newman
Janessa Portner
Wyatt Roscoe
Samuel
Elizabeth Sickels
Sleep
Frank Smith
Adam Sorkin
Tyler Strandberg
Shawn Stutzel
Stephen Teng
Mark Terrano
Jean-Philippe Theriault
Shirley Thomas
Cameron Colby Thomson
Kevin Thompson
Nicole Thompson
James Turnbull
Adam Van Sickle
Adam W
David Wardrop
Victor Warkentin
Cameron Colby Thomson
James Turnbull
R.S.Geiger
SEO Hamburg
Sharon Fralin
Louis Lipp
Jans Ingber
David Wardrop
Shawn Stutzel
Elizabeth Sickels
Shaun Banner
Kristian Hanstad
Stephan Ditz
BlackOpsFlavor
Eleanor Amari
Una McGurk
Travis Hollaway
Adam Van Sickle
Frank Smith
Adam W
Jessica Abbazio
Shirley Thomas
Matt McDowell
Grand Teton Lodging Company
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
1% for the Planet
Vertical Harvest is very pleased to announce the partnership of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and 1% for the Planet. JHMR has graciously chosen Vertical Harvest to be the beneficiary of the proceeds earned through this partnership. Please visit JHMR this summer, take the free gondola ride up and dine at The Couloir or The Deck this summer to support this amazing initiative! The Deck happy hour from 4:30 – 6:30 with 2 for 1 margaritas, mojitos, draft beers and wine by the glass is the perfect spot to unwind after an adventurous day! Read more about the new partnership below!
Teton Heritage Landscaping Inc.
THL, Inc is a locally owned and operated company that has been making a name for itself for quite some time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We specialize in projects of all sizes from the design and installation of stone patios to large-scale commercial landscaping. We offer tree moving and replanting and boast three sizes of tree spades to get any job done efficiently. Our team of experts continues to grow but one thing stays the constant – our dedication to our clientele.
Terra Firma Organics
Over the past nine years, Terra Firma has consistently demonstrated the will and experience necessary to achieve excellence in various endeavors. We maintain our success is a result of solving real-world problems for clients. Providing rationale behind every critical decision has gained the confidence of private, public and political clients. From landscaping to organics, our dedication and unique approach to business provide excellent service and the best products.
Jackson Hole Flower Company
There’s something peaceful and inspiring blooming on Teton Village Road. The Jackson Hole Flower Company offers a contemporary fresh approach to floral & garden design. Our custom arrangements reflect our clients individualized style designed exclusively for their special occasions. We use local organic products when available, and focus on eco-friendly plant selections for the home, succulents and Orchids being our favorite…
The shop is a place for Artists to hang their paintings and filled with treasures from around the world.
Our successful Wedding & garden design business has become a favorite among both locals and out of town brides. In June, you will likely find garden designers Sue Bullock tucking Scabiosas, Cosmos, and fragrant herbs into containers. Our containers are living works of Art.
The Harmonic Spa
The Harmonic Spa is a holistic day spa featuring Therapeutic Massage and Acutonics® Sound and Vibrational Therapy and by Nancy Alfs, MA.
Find us in the cozy white house at 155 West Pearl Street in Jackson, Wyoming located next door to Pearl Street Bagels and one block from the Milward Free Parking facility.
First Interstate Bank
Headquartered in Billings Montana, First Interstate has evolved since 1968 from a singlebank in Sheridan, Wyoming to operating over 50 branches.
Jackson Whole Grocer
A supermarket that offers organic and conventional groceries. Features special foods sections, recipes, events, a glossary, store specials, and news and events.
Sprout
A company that has been in the business of making timepieces for over 50 years. Our strength as a company comes from our employees who collectively have invaluable knowledge, technical expertise, experience and a real passion for the traditions of watch making. But that doesnt mean we dont have a bunch of ambitious, freethinking, rebel employees with an entrepreneurial spirit who are committed to looking ahead to a greener future for our company and our planet. Asking the simple question, How can we make a greener watch? they looked for an answer. After countless hours of research and development and a lot of lunches eaten over their keyboards, two years later Sprout was born.
