SHIPPING CONTAINERS: THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

New and used shipping containers for sale are the future of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) as it solves problems by creating better conditions for growing plants and raising farm animals. There are different shipping container sizes for various projects and locations.

We will discuss what shipping containers are, their value in agriculture, the importance of the CEA, and how to get the right container for your specific situation. We will also cover how they improve the process from farm to plate and how they are revolutionizing the future, along with different modifications to new and used shipping containers.

What are New and Used Shipping Containers?

Shipping containers are used in transportation for large equipment or many small items to fit in one storage facility. They are metal high cube containers or Conex container that are easily loaded on a trailer or boat to transport the supplies inside and keep them safe.

You can find a shipping container for sale, new or used, online or anywhere that uses it for transportation purposes. Use Google or your favorite search engine to find information about locations near you. You can also find storage containers for rent at any storage container rental lot.

If you are in the market to buy shipping containers for agricultural purposes, the best one to use is a 40' container or a 40 high cube container. The shipping container price will be between $2,500 to $4,000. For the high cube container, they can go as high as $6,000 per container.

We recommend you buy a shipping container instead of renting one if you want to do long-term agricultural business. You will find used containers for sale are closer to the $2,000 range, which is easier to get a return on investment.

The Value of Controlled Environment Agriculture

More farmers are finding shipping containers create the perfect environment for CEA. The idea stems from greenhouses, but they have a more reliable sturdiness, and the atmosphere is easier to control on the inside. There are several benefits to using CEA methods in vertical farming that improve the needs of existing farming techniques. They are as follows:

Adding Flavor: By adjusting the climate, everything is focused on how the crops grow and harvest. The harvest is proven to have a better taste in the controlled environment than in field crops.
Producing More Reliable Crops: Productivity in a controlled environment allows the plants to grow to their total capacity and produce more harvest. The crop yield is more significant due to the lighting and better nutrients provided. There is also a shorter season, which allows for a quicker harvest. Overall, the plants grow healthier.
Freshness is Guaranteed: Since each container for sale is portable, they are placed closer to the retailers, which cuts down on transportation time. The produce is immediately harvested and shipped, keeping the nutrients, color, and freshness in motion.
Pure Crops: The area is contained, and no harmful critters or bugs will eat or tear up the plants. Therefore, no pesticides are used in the growing facilities. They are easily monitored, and the harvest is guaranteed pure with no harmful chemicals.
Location and Availability: Since the shipping container is a climate-controlled building, crops are grown on any site and made available to any area at close range. For example, any winter crop is produced in the summer and vice versa with no issues.
Tracing the Origins: Customers who buy the produce want to know where their food comes from. The shipping containers keep the produce local, and retailers and farmers' markets love the idea and will purchase more to support local farmers.

How Insulated Shipping Containers Are Revolutionizing Food Production and Farming

The use of insulated shipping containers is called Freight Farming. It is revolutionizing food production and farming across several states and even moving into Canadian provinces. LED lights are used inside the containers to grow acres of crops.

The crops are easier to maintain and grow as the insulation keeps the cold out during winter and the heat out in summer. It makes it easier to keep the temperature between 63 degrees and 70 degrees for growing the perfect crops year-round.

Freight farms started in 2010 and are steadily becoming more popular as a different way of farming. As more people move toward organic products without pesticides and other chemicals, this type of farming is revolutionizing the industry to a higher level than expected.

It is not easy with the start-up cost, but the crop yield makes up for the perfect investment. All it takes is one used container for sale to start an entire Freight Farm and grow from there.

Container Modification Ideas to Begin Freight Farming

To enter the agricultural business, you must buy shipping container modifications to meet your growing needs. These are the items you will need:

Insulation;
LED Lights;
Air Conditioning;
Heating;
Shelves to Stack Plants;
Generators or Some Form of Power Source.

Another option is turning it into a refrigerator container to grow winter crops requiring lower temperatures than 60 degrees. Most of these crops are called winter greens, such as mustard greens, collards, spinach, and kale. There are more options, but those are the popular ones in refrigerator containers.

Holes are cut into sheet metal to place window units. Other modifications are available to make it a refrigerator container.

Farm to Plate Solutions and the Future

Farm-to-plate solutions find that farmers use different shipping container sizes and are putting forth high-quality produce. They are pulling in more profits for farmers because containers are closer to the customers, and the weight is higher in the harvest than in traditional farming. They make more profits off the weight, and more people buy the crops from Freight Farms due to the better flavor.

There are also no restrictions on seasons, allowing the farmers to grow their choice of crops more in demand at different times of the year. This leaves the future looking brighter as its popularity grows.

About Container Alliance – Whether you’re seeking a storage container rental or to buy shipping containers, Container Alliance offers a wide range of container storage solutions. If you’re looking for a company that can provide everything from a high cube container or a refrigerated container to an insulated shipping container, consider Container Alliance. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 888-896-5084 for a complimentary container consultation.