What's the Gig?

Combine agriculture with architecture and what do you get? An Urban Sky Farmer, that's what. This isn't your grandma's garden; it's vertical farming for the future. Think layers of leafy greens stacked in skyscrapers, making sustainable farming in urban environments a reality. This is farming, engineering, and design in one—a career made for anyone who's all about greening up our cities and innovating our food systems.

What's on Your Desk?

A mini hydroponics system, some agricultural sensors, a laptop filled with farm management software, and likely, a few actual plants. Can't forget the green thumb here!

Skills and Schooling

• Bachelor's Degree: Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or Urban Planning.

• Horticultural Know-How: A deep understanding of plant biology.

• Data Analysis: Deciphering sensor data to optimize growth conditions.

• 3D Design: Spatial thinking for vertical layouts.

• Sustainability: A passion for eco-friendly solutions.

Who Will You High-Five?

Expect to collaborate with a cast of diverse characters: architects, urban planners, environmental scientists, and even chefs who are excited about farm-to-table.

Where You Could Hang Your Hat

• AeroFarms: Leaders in the indoor vertical farming game.

• Bowery Farming: Combining AI and agriculture.

• Sky Greens: Known for their low-carbon hydraulic water-driven systems.

• Plenty: The cutting-edge of plant science and machine learning.

• Gotham Greens: Urban farming on rooftops and more.

Why You Might Just Love This

• Tangible Impact: You're contributing to a more sustainable future.

• Innovation: Every day is a new challenge in design and problem-solving.

• Community Connection: You'll help bring fresh food to urban communities.

A Day in the Life of an Urban Sky Farmer

Morning: Monitoring and Maintenance

• 9:00 AM: Coffee and a quick review of the latest sensor data on soil moisture, light levels, and plant health.

• 9:30 AM: Time to visit your vertical farm plots for a physical inspection.

Midday: Data and Design

• 11:00 AM: A meeting with architects to discuss a new vertical farm project in an upcoming urban development.

• 12:00 PM: Lunch, and maybe sample some of the produce you're growing!

Afternoon: Planting and Planning

• 1:30 PM: Seed planting session for a new crop rotation.

• 3:00 PM: Back to the computer to plan out resource allocation and workflow for the next week.

Evening: Research and Relax

• 5:00 PM: Catch up on the latest in sustainable agriculture technologies and trends.

• 6:00 PM: A moment to appreciate the beauty of your vertical garden, maybe even snap a photo for socials.

Final Thoughts

Urban Sky Farming is like the epitome of STEAM—it's science, tech, engineering, art, and even a bit of social justice, all woven together. This is a job for the dreamers and doers, those who want to quite literally sow the seeds for a better tomorrow. 🌱🏢