Innovating for a Greener Future – Technology for a Change Season 4 Episode 2

Federico Marques is a visionary entrepreneur who conceived of and raised funds to build the first indoor vertical farm in Texas, Moonflower Farms. He is a leading expert in developing hydroponic growing technology, which advances hyperlocal, sustainable city farming. His innovative technology is now being used to provide fresh leafy greens and herbs to Kroger stores in the Houston market. His goal is to bring sustainable farming to urban centers using space age technology.

Key Takeaways from the Podcast

Fredrico is well-versed in nutrition and sustainable farming practices. He talked about everything from his journey to his expertise to his future plans in this podcast. Let’s go over some things that are worth highlighting from the discussion.

Venturing into Food and Nutrition

Having worked at NASA and seeing them use hydroponics to grow food in space was a big eye-opener in regards to technology and its feasibility. Some life-altering circumstances urged Fredrico to turn towards the nutrition industry. Starting from making greenhouses to launching Houston’s very first green restaurant and eventually the city’s first indoor, vertical farm, his journey was an uphill battle.

The Rise of Food Developers

Fredrico also predicts that in the coming years we’ll be seeing a lot more food developers. Education is the most important aspect of that. He aims to simplify his farming practices to the point that even a high school kid can run the farm. Food development is all about using your creativity to innovate foods that resonate with you. With the right technology, platforms, and training certifications, there’s going to be an explosion of food developers soon. AI will be playing a vital role in this.

Wrapping Up…

Fredrico stresses the importance of technology and education in sustainable farming. He believes that by the end of the decade, a large portion of homes and even schools will be growing their own produce. He wants to help NASA put flowers on the moon with the help of his farm, hence the name “Moonflower Farms.”

This educational podcast was part of our “Technology for Change” podcast series, which aims to provide insights into the lives of entrepreneurs who use technology to scale their businesses rapidly and make an impact in the lives of communities with a value-driven approach to their business.