AmplifiedAg is addressing the complex challenges faced by newcomers to the indoor agriculture sector, offering a range of services and a fully integrated technology platform.
Michael Koziol, Chief Strategy Officer at AmplifiedAg, acknowledges the difficulties involved in decision-making and implementation in this field. He states, “Someone entering the indoor agriculture sector has to make many daunting decisions. It can be difficult to choose a system, design the layout, source the hardware and technology, then develop a business plan and raise the necessary capital to build and become operational.”
In 2023, AmplifiedAg has been making notable progress, catering to various clients, including first-time farmers, retailers, food service companies, distributors, research organizations, and educational institutions.
While predominantly active in North America, AmplifiedAg is now expanding its focus to wider markets, including the Caribbean. Michael Koziol highlights the significance of resilience in farming systems, particularly in the Caribbean region, where extreme weather events and challenging conditions prevail. He emphasizes, “Farms must be able to endure high heat, humidity, and extreme weather events. Our solutions are designed and built to withstand harsh conditions and solve for the extremes.”
AmplifiedAg takes pride in their data-driven approach, leveraging their operational farms and comprehensive understanding of various geographies and growing conditions.
Michael Koziol explains, “When we go to market with a client or partner, we come armed with a lot of data to make sure you launch successfully. We have farms and technology in operation all across the country, so we have a deep understanding of what types of farm implementations are adaptable to different geographies and different conditions while growing various produce.”
This advantage stems from their robust multi-tenant software, which forms a key benefit of being on the AmplifiedAg platform.
The company emphasizes a manageable and scalable approach to farming. By collaborating closely with clients, AmplifiedAg assists in identifying production objectives and challenges, designing customized farm configurations, scales, and technologies.
Michael Koziol explains their strategy, stating, “In terms of farm infrastructure, the level of operation you start with needs to be representative of where you want to get eventually. We help our partners avoid going too big too fast or starting too small. Instead, we set them up with a manageable system and growth plan that is designed to be scaled up.”
AmplifiedAg not only offers expertise in farm design, but also provides comprehensive support services. Their offerings encompass everything from seed to sale, including propagation, farming, employee training, food safety, and research and development.
The level of support depends on the scale of operations, with newer facilities requiring assistance in building operative plants for food safety compliance and manager training. Established customers benefit from regular business reviews to ensure operational success.
In terms of innovation, AmplifiedAg continuously seeks advancements to improve yield and unit economics. They focus on enhancing the farm’s light spectrum, automation, and operating standards.
AmplifiedAg introduced the AmpVPS vertical propagation system in November 2022, enabling growers to cultivate up to 80,000 plants simultaneously.
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As AmplifiedAg moves forward, their goal is to collaborate with growers, demonstrating the value of their technology and services across diverse agricultural environments.
Michael Koziol highlights the ongoing maturation of the vertical farming industry, noting that it allows for a refinement in identifying sustainable systems that can withstand the test of time.