In this special tribute episode of The Vertical Farming Podcast, I honor the life and legacy of Dr. Dickson Despommier, the visionary who laid the foundation for vertical farming as we know it today.
His book, The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century, completely changed the way I thought about food production, sustainability, and the future of agricultureReading it in 2019 was a turning point for me—it was the spark that led to the creation of this podcast.
Over the years, I’ve spoken with over 150 CEOs and founders in the industry, and so many of them cite Dr. Despommier as a major influence on their work. His vision of growing food in urban skyscrapers was once considered radical, but today, it’s shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
Though he’s no longer with us, his ideas continue to inspire, and it’s up to all of us—researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors—to carry his vision forward. This episode is my way of saying thank you to a man whose ideas changed my life—and the world.
Additional Social Tributes
Honoring Dr. Dickson Despommier: The Visionary Who Planted the Seeds for Vertical Farming’s Future - Henry Gordon-Smith
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Episode Transcript
Hey everyone.
Harry Duran here, host ofthe Vertical Farming Podcast.
Today's episode is a little different.
It's a tribute to someonewho is instrumental in
shaping not just this show.
I.
But the entire industry ofcontrolled environment agriculture.
This week I learned of the passingof Dixon Despommier, the man.
Many considered the godfatherof vertical farming.
And if you've been a long time listener,you've heard me reference his book,
(00:22):
the Vertical Farm, feeding the Worldin the 21st Century as one of the
biggest inspirations behind this show.
Reading his work back in December of2019 completely changed how I thought
about food production, sustainability,and the future of agriculture.
Without his vision, I honestly don'tknow if I would've started this show.
and I know I'm not alone.
His ideas have inspired a wholegeneration of entrepreneurs,
(00:44):
scientists, and advocates workingto make vertical farming a reality.
So today I want to take some time toreflect on who Dixon Des Palmier was,
how his work changed the game, and whyhis legacy will continue to shape the
future of agriculture for decades to come.
I'll also provide links in the shownotes to some recent posts from those in
the ACT industry that had the privilegeof meeting and studying with him.
(01:05):
You'll find those very inspiring as well.
Dixon didn't start out asan agricultural expert.
In fact, his background was inmicrobiology and public health.
He was a professor at ColumbiaUniversity where he spent decades
studying parasitic diseases.
But what made him stand out was thathe was a true innovator, someone who
could connect seemingly unrelatedfields to solve big problems.
(01:26):
The idea for vertical farming actuallycame out of his work in the late
1990s when he and his students werebrainstorming ways to solve food
security issues in urban areas.
The question that sparked it all.
What if we could grow food in cities ina way that required no soil, less water,
and no dependence on seasons at this time?
This was radical thinking.
Most people believed that farming hadto happen on traditional land in open
(01:48):
fields, but Dixon saw the potentialfor cities to become self-sustaining
ecosystems producing their own foodlocally instead of relying on supply
chains that stretch around the world.
In 1999, Dixon and the students developedthe first concepts of vertical farming,
imagining skyscrapers filled with crops.
Hydroponic systems replacing soil andcities feeding themselves sustainably.
(02:10):
It took over a decade forthese ideas to gain traction.
The technology wasn't there yet.
The funding wasn't there,but the vision was.
His book, the Vertical Farm, publishedin 2010 was the turning point.
It outlined not just the sciencebehind vertical farming, but also
the potential environmental benefitsusing 95% less water than traditional
ag growing food year round,independent of climate conditions.
(02:31):
eliminating the need for harmfulpesticides, reducing transportation
costs, and carbon emissions.
And since 2010, verticalfarming has exploded into a
multi-billion dollar industry.
We now see high tech farms in major citiesfrom New York to Singapore, producing
fresh produce and controlled environments,and Dixon's ideas help shape the companies
and technologies we see today, manyof whom I've interviewed on this show.
(02:53):
Several even cite his workas an early inspiration.
It wasn't just his scientificknowledge that made him influential.
It was his ability to communicatecomplex ideas in a way that got
people excited about the future.
He appeared in countless interviews,documentaries, and conferences,
spreading the message that verticalfarming wasn't just an option.
It was a necessity forthe planet's survival.
He was also a mentor tomany in the industry.
(03:14):
And if you ever had a chance to hear himspeak, you know, he had this infectious
energy, this belief that if we putour minds to it, we could completely
redefine how humanity grows food.
So flashback to December, 2019, One ofmy podcast clients at the time gifted me
the book Abundance by Peter Diamandis.
In there, there was a reference toDixon's book, the Vertical Farm,
which I immediately purchasedand downloaded to my Kindle.
(03:36):
I read the book in one sitting.
I was fascinated by the intersectionof sustainability, technology, and
storytelling, and here is this guy layingout a vision that was bold, inspiring,
and completely ahead of its time.
I started the Vertical FarmingPodcast because I believe that more
people needed to hear about thismovement, that the ideas in Dixon's
book weren't just theoretical, butwere actively shaping the world.
(03:56):
over the past five years, I had theprivilege of speaking to over 150 CEOs
and founders of the leading verticalfarming companies from around the world.
And I feel this show is an extensionof Dixon's legacy as it was.
One of the major catalystsfor me starting it.
I believe that's themark of a true visionary.
He didn't just create something.
He inspired thousands of othersto bring his vision to life.
(04:18):
And though he's no longer withus, his work is far from over.
Vertical farming is still at itsearly stages and there are challenges.
Energy costs, scalability,long-term viability.
many of the topics and considerationswe've discussed on this show, but if
Dixon taught us anything, it's that bigideas take time to become reality, and
now it's up to all of us, the researchers,the farmers, the entrepreneurs, the
(04:41):
investors, the podcasters to keep pushingforward, to take the torch and build on
his legacy, to continue the conversations.
To educate more people about whyvertical farming matters and to
innovate, experiment, and create thesustainable food systems of the future.
Because at the end of the day, the worldneeds more people like Dixon Despommier
visionaries who dream of a betterfuture and have the courage to chase it.
(05:03):
I appreciate you listening and watching tothis special tribute episode, and I hope
it gives you a sense of just how importantand influential Dixon Despommier was.
Not just to me but tothis entire industry.
If his work has inspired you inany way, I'd love to hear from
you, connect with me on LinkedInor any of the socials, or email me,
harry@verticalfarmingpodcast.com.
Let's keep his vision alive by continuingthe conversation and sharing his ideas.
(05:26):
And if you haven't read The VerticalFarm, I recommend picking up a copy.
Even now, it remains one ofthe most visionary books on
sustainable ag ever written.
I'll provide a link in the show notes.
Rest in peace, Dr.
Despommier, your work lives on,and until next time, stay curious.
Stay innovative.
And keep growing.
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