Vertical Farming Pioneer Dickson Despommier Dies at 84

Dickson Despommier, a microbiologist known for his pioneering work in vertical farming, passed away on February 7th in Manhattan at the age of 84. His wife, Marlene Bloom, confirmed the news.

Dr. Despommier, a professor at Columbia's School of Public Health for 38 years, specialized in parasitic diseases but gained international recognition as a leading figure in the vertical farming movement.

A Visionary Concept

In 2001, Dr. Despommier and his students conceptualized a 30-story building designed to cultivate food for 50,000 people. This innovative design featured multiple floors dedicated to growing 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables, with chickens housed on lower levels. A sustainable system was also implemented, with fish feeding on plant waste.

His work popularized the term "vertical farming" and transformed it from a theoretical concept to a global reality, paving the way for sustainable urban agriculture solutions.