Vertical Farming: Growing Rural Prosperity—One Rack at a Time

Fresh, local, and sustainable: Revolutionizing food systems in rural Canada through smart farming partnerships.

Introduction

The Vertical Farming initiative under the P3 Orchestrator Canada Network aims to transform underused rural spaces into high-tech, climate-resilient food hubs. With farmland disappearing and food imports rising, MicroP3 vertical farms offer a local solution—delivering pesticide-free produce, cutting emissions, and creating jobs. These community-designed projects are faster, more adaptable, and focused on wellbeing and economic growth

Who are we looking for?

Tier

Audience

Benefits

Anchor Public Partner

Municipalities, Counties, Indigenous Governments, Economic Development Agencies

Revitalize vacant industrial space, meet food security mandates, generate clean-tech jobs

Private Sector Partner

Vertical farm operators, AgTech OEMs, CPG brands, institutional investors

Market access, fast-track procurement, co-branded products, blended finance opportunities

Supporting Stakeholder A

Logistics firms, renewable energy utilities, funders

Innovation pilot roles, strategic influence, regional recognition

Supporting Stakeholder B

NGOs, academia, small businesses, co-ops

Join innovation circles, access shared data, collaborate on sustainability goals

Observer and Knowledge Partner

Citizens, associations

Insight reports, early project visibility

What Success Looks Like

Modular vertical farms operational within 6–24 months.
Pesticide-free produce available locally within 24 hours of harvest.
New local jobs created in agri-tech, logistics, and renewable energy.
Significant reductions in food-miles and GHG emissions.
Municipal properties repurposed into productive assets.
Blended capital successfully deployed across pilot and scaled farms.
Co-branded local products available on grocery shelves.
Data-backed evidence of impact: yield, employment, emissions, and health.

How Our Network Accelerates Impact

Site and partner matchmaking through a national deal room.
Rapid feasibility sprints and business case development.
Strategic alignment with federal, provincial, and ESG investment priorities.
Community-led planning using adaptive governance models.

Templates for legal agreements, MOUs, and procurement frameworks.
Access to a blended finance toolkit: grants, impact funds, municipal equity.
Implementation playbooks and peer learning networks.
Real-time dashboards tracking KPIs like production, jobs, and emissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes vertical farming a MicroP3 fit?

It’s scalable, community-led, and delivers quick wins in food, jobs, and climate.

Q: Where do these farms get built?

Inside repurposed warehouses or modular containers in rural areas.

Q: Who buys the produce?

Local grocers, schools, hospitals, and residents—via contracts and retail partnerships.

Q: Is this just for leafy greens?

No—innovations now include mushrooms, berries, herbs, and more.

Q: How soon can we start?

Municipal partners can launch pilots within 6–12 months with the right support.

Join our National MicroP3 Initiatives

June 30th Deadline

National and Local Committee Membership available
Join as an Public Anchor, Private Sector Partner, Supporting Stakeholder, and Observer
Lead Initiatives that deliver real impact for your community and across Canada