How do we feed 9 Billion People Food security Declining arable land Loss of water resources Declining nutrient and mineral content Climate change Vertical Farm Systems – One Solution

Vertical Farm Systems Our Company - Leading the way in agricultural technology Vertical Farm Systems is a privately owned company founded in 2009 by a dedicated team of professionals committed to the ongoing development of world class controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems for the commercial production of food in all geographic locations and climates. With ongoing research program focused on minimum water use, low energy use, high efficiency LED lighting and bioponic growing technologies. Vertical Farm Systems has developed fully integrated intelligent systems that provide practical solutions for global food production. After several years of research, patent development and practical testing, Vertical Farm Systems launched to the global commercial market in late 2011.

About Bioponics – Everything Plants and Humans Need Bioponic farming produces quality wholesome food that is full of flavour and nutrition essential for the human body. Edible plants grown with bioponics have shown higher levels of nutrients and minerals than hydroponic cultivation and some organic produce. Why Bioponics How it Works Bioponic Advantages – High levels of nutrition and minerals – No use of chemicals and pesticides – Reduced water usage – High crop yields in reduced growing areas – Competitive advantage for commercial growers

Advantages of Vertical Farming Minimum Input – Maximum Output Vertical Farm Systems are a revolutionary approach to producing high quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food all year round, without relying on skilled labour, favourable weather, high soil fertility or high water usage The smart technology integrated into our systems offers many advantages, including: 1.Reliable Harvests 2.Minimum Overheads 3.Increased Growing Area 4.Maximum Crop Yield 5.Wide Range of Crops

Reliable Harvests Vertical Farm Systems growing cycles are consistent and reliable, allowing commercial growers to confidently commit to delivery schedules and supply contracts. In a well managed Vertical Farm System there are no such thing as ‘seasonal crops’ and there are no crop losses. Vertical Farm Systems are fully enclosed and climate controlled, completely removing external environment factors such as disease, pest or predator attacks. It also means our farms are not dependant on fertile land and can be established in any region globally, irrespective of seasonal daylight hours and extremes in temperature.

Minimum Overheads Production overheads in Vertical Farm Systems installations are commercially competitive and predictable. In some cases profitability of over 30% has been demonstrated even after deducting full amortisation of capital equipment over a 10 year period. Minimum overheads and grow costs are maintained through: 1.LOW ENERGY USE 2. LOW LABOUR COSTS 3.LOW WATER USAGE 4.REDUCED WASHING AND PROCESSING 5.REDUCED TRANSPORT COSTS

Increased Growing Area For the same floor area, Vertical Farm Systems multi-level design provides nearly 8 times more growing area than a single level hydroponic or greenhouse system. This compact design enables cost-effective farming installations in industrial estates, urban warehouses and other low cost and typically under- utilised environments not previously associated with high-quality, high-margin agricultural activities. As an example, a 2000m2 (21500ft) warehouse or multi-storey building can be outfitted with 55 of the XT432 units, all networked to a single command centre and growing any mixture of crop varieties at any one time. This one example provides over 1 Ha (2.5acres) of prime farming land with a 12 month growing season capable of producing over 5 tonnes of leafy green vegetables per week. For the same For

Maximum Crop Area Irrespective of external conditions, Vertical Farm Systems can reliably provide more crop rotations per year than open field agriculture and other farming practices. Crop cycles are also faster due to the systems controlled temperature, humidity, daylight hours optimisation and the use of bioponic biologically active organic plant nutrients. The systems can produce market grade produce of several crops within just 21 days.

Wide range of Crops Vertical Farm Systems has a wide range of crops that are able to be grown in the system. The crop growth is controlled by a comprehensive computer database that manages and maintains the optimum growing conditions for each specific crop variety being produced. Current Crops include: Baby Spinach – 8 varieties Baby Rocket – 5 Varieties Loose Leaf Lettuce – 7 Varieties Seedlings Basil and many herbs VFS has an ongoing program of database development for new crop varieties. Additional crops are being progressively developed and added to the database.

Fully Integrated Technology Profitability in commercial horticulture requires the ability to cost-effectively and consistently provide plants with optimum growing conditions from germination through to harvest. Vertical Farm Systems monitors and controls the levels of air, water and nutrition to provide optimum growing requirements with a fully integrated computer management system. 1.Optimum Air Quality 2.Optimum Nutrient and Mineral Quality 3.Optimum Water Quality 4.Optimum Light Quality