Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
New York City is becoming an unlikely capital of the agricultural revolution.
In this episode of NYC Innovates, we explore two radically different visions for how cities can feed themselves sustainably. On Brooklyn Navy Yard's 11-story rooftop, Brooklyn Grange operates the world's largest soil-based rooftop farm, growing over 100 different crops across 65,000 square feet. But just floors below, Kubota's Plant X system represents a completely different future: sealed indoor farms using hydroponic technology, artificial lighting, and AI-driven automation to grow food in just 25 days.
Rooftop farms offer green infrastructure, community engagement, and beautiful urban spaces. Vertical farms promise 50% lower production costs, less water usage, and the ability to grow food year-round.
So which approach will take over the future of American cities?
0:33 Indoor vertical farming vs. rooftop green spaces
1:23 Brooklyn Grange's origin story and mission
3:12 Tour of crops and farming techniques
7:26 Environmental benefits: stormwater management
8:46 Kubota's Plant X vertical farming system
11:56 The community impact and future of urban farming
Connect with Cheddar!
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New York City is becoming an unlikely capital of the agricultural revolution.
In this episode of NYC Innovates, we explore two radically different visions for how cities can feed themselves sustainably. On Brooklyn Navy Yard's 11-story rooftop, Brooklyn Grange operates the world's largest soil-based rooftop farm, growing over 100 different crops across 65,000 square feet. But just floors below, Kubota's Plant X system represents a completely different future: sealed indoor farms using hydroponic technology, artificial lighting, and AI-driven automation to grow food in just 25 days.
Rooftop farms offer green infrastructure, community engagement, and beautiful urban spaces. Vertical farms promise 50% lower production costs, less water usage, and the ability to grow food year-round.
So which approach will take over the future of American cities?
0:33 Indoor vertical farming vs. rooftop green spaces
1:23 Brooklyn Grange's origin story and mission
3:12 Tour of crops and farming techniques
7:26 Environmental benefits: stormwater management
8:46 Kubota's Plant X vertical farming system
11:56 The community impact and future of urban farming
Connect with Cheddar!
On Facebook: facebook.com/cheddar
On Instagram: instagram.com/cheddar
On the web: cheddar.com
In your inbox: need2know.cheddar.com/subscribe
