Agripublica

AgriPublica is a Vertical
urban farming Start-up

That will operate multiple, small-scale,
tailored vertical farms across New York City

is to increase New Yorkers’ access to
on-demand, fresh organic produce.

Company
Mission

is to increase New Yorkers’ access to
on-demand, fresh organic produce.

AgriPublica will capitalize on the surplus of vacant office space
in the city to create hyper-local farming operations that cater to
consumers, markets, and restaurants in individual neighborhoods.

FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

A REAL PROBLEM

The future of agriculture is at a crossroads as we grapple with rising demand from a rapidly growing global population. Feeding the 9.7 billion people that are projected to be on earth by 2050 will require an additional 109 million arable hectares of land, but 80% of the world’s arable land is already in use. Meantime, water scarcity, which is only increasing with climate change, means that traditional agriculture will have less access to water, and thus will produce fewer crops, further exacerbating the food crisis.

As we look down the barrel at a dwindling global supply chain, it is obvious that the future of food is local, and the future of production is controlled environments that require less water and turn crops faster.

WHAT IS VERTICAL FARMING?

PART OF THE SOLUTION

Vertical farms are indoor crop production systems where in crops are grown without soil and using liquid nutrient solution that is either flowing (hydroponic) or sprayed (aeroponic). Crops are often assembled on stacked racks to optimize the use of space.

Vertical farms are controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) systems that are ideal for dense urban environments. Utilizing hydroponic or aeroponic growing systems stacked vertically in a controlled indoor environment, vertical farms can produce 530 times more tons of produce per 10,000 square meters than field farms.

They also use 75-90% less water than traditional agriculture and, due to their relatively small footprint, are ideal for urban environments. While vertical farms are not new, the cost involved in operating them has historically be too high to be feasible for widespread adoption and scalability. But emerging technology and improved LED lighting systems is reducing the barriers to entry for new growers. And, in New York City, where the coronavirus has pushed commercial vacancies to 20-year highs, urban lease rates are coming down, making vertical farms in the city feasible for the first time.

Vertical farms integrate technology to automatically regulate and optimize growing conditions. Crops are harvested by humans or robotics.

BENEFITS OF VERTICAL FARMING

The produce grown at each vertical farm will depend on the demographic and business profile of the neighborhood as well as consumer demand. For example, a farm in a building surrounding by Chinese restaurants with a heavy Asian population may incorporate bok choy and mustard greens, while a micro-farm near an Italian specialty market would grow basil and arugula.

The Company’s initial produce selection will include:

✓ Vertical farms use 75-90% less water than traditional agriculture.
✓ Crop production is year-round.
✓ Harvest times are shorter and crop volumes are higher, with no impact on flavor. One study found that vertical farming yields 530 times as many tons of produce per 10,000 square meters than field farms.
✓ Produce grown in vertical farms has a longer shelf life and can be grown to have more nutritional value.
✓ No pesticides or chemicals required.
✓ No soil or arable land required.
✓ Vertical stacking allows for more production in smaller spaces.
✓ Grown in urban environments, reducing transportation costs and emissions for last-mile delivery.

ENTER AGRIPUBLICA

PRODUCTION

The Company will lease office space between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet in mixed use buildings wherein it will install and operate small vertical farms. The Company will produce a mix of greens, vegetables, and herbs that it will then distribute on-demand to residents and businesses in the neighborhood.

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution will be managed by a mobile app and online platform. Residents that live within the same building, or neighboring buildings, as well as restaurants and markets in the immediate vicinity can browse available crops and place an order. Buyers can then pick up their harvest immediately with on-site contactless pick up or can opt for delivery for an additional fee.

REPLICATION

The Company will replicate this model in multiple buildings across the city, effectively creating a hyper- local supply of fresh produce for communities throughout the city. For each vertical farm, the Company will set parameters for the area (typically a 10-minute walk in any direction), which will dictate what residents and businesses are allocated to what facility when they download the app.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

MATTEO PIETROBELLI

FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Matteo Pietrobelli is a seasoned structural designer with experience on projects that repurpose and refurbish aging infrastructure to make them safer and more sustainable, while enhancing local communities and improving the quality of life of its residents. Throughout his ten-year career, he has gained unmatched experience in a diverse array of fields and firms. He has held numerous senior engineering positions, responsible for the structural design, implementation, and associated analytics for bridges, steel structures, transportation systems, buildings, stadiums, and other structures throughout New York City, the USA and around the World.

He has a deep understanding of New York’s buildings, structures, and infrastructure, and a great passion for designing, redesigning, and improving structures with functionality and community responsibility in mind. He is an appreciated team leader and project manager and boasts vast knowledge and expertise in connections design, earthquake engineering, static and dynamic analysis, structural health monitoring, data analysis, and infrastructure asset management, among other areas of knowledge. These skills coupled with Matteo’s passion for responsible and sustainable engineering and design aligns with the Project’s vision and will be instrumental in its success.

Matteo is currently the Principal/Senior Engineer at a structural engineer firm in New York City, with a focus on the structural design of stadiums, bridges, buildings, facades, and long span structures. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the development and design of all projects and managing their documentation and deliverables. He manages teams of people and works closely with all U.S. based clients in a variety of markets.

Matteo is also the Senior Bridge Engineer for Hyperloop Transportation Technology, Inc, where he collaborates on the design of superstructures and substructures of bridges and other transportation system structures and spans. He is involved in the design and modeling of all components and the blast design of sensitive components, including evaluation for security, evacuation, and hazard protection. In this role he developed the Structural Health Monitoring System and of the Asset Management System (Maintenance, Inspections, Assessments and Management) for the structures of the Hyperloop.

JACOPO PIETROBELLI

CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER

Jacopo Pietrobelli is a Real Estate Manager and Consultant with a strong background in the Food & Beverage Industry.

In 2012, he started right away to work as a waiter serving customers in restaurants. By 2015 thanks to his strong attitude towards leadership and team development, allowing to reach the position of Manager, dealing with a team of 15 people, and managing the organizational, financial and operational aspects of the restaurant.

In 2017, he decides to take on a new and more challenging position and he accepts to work fir the Porteño Arena in Milan. During this period he develops his skillset and expertise in Biological agriculture and farming, with a focus towards viticulture and natural wine production and manufacturing. In 2017 he obtains the 1st Level certification of the European Association of Sommelier.

With a strong passion for Architecture and Building environments, in 2019 he decided to take a leap of faith and to switch industry starting to work as a Realtor for residential and commercial buildings between Milan and New York City. While working as a Real Estate Agent, together with his brother Matteo he founded Agripublica, an innovative and technology driven vertical farm in New York City.

info@agripublica.com

AgriPublica is a Vertical
urban farming Start-up

Company Mission

is to increase New Yorkers’ access to
on-demand, fresh organic produce.

Company
Mission

is to increase New Yorkers’ access to
on-demand, fresh organic produce.

FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

A REAL PROBLEM

WHAT IS VERTICAL FARMING?

PART OF THE SOLUTION

BENEFITS OF VERTICAL FARMING

ENTER AGRIPUBLICA

PRODUCTION

DISTRIBUTION

REPLICATION