In a groundbreaking development for sustainable agriculture, the world's first large-scale indoor vertical strawberry farm has opened its doors in Richmond, Virginia. This innovative facility, operated by Plenty Unlimited Inc., opened on Sept. 24, 2024, and is set to revolutionize berry production and pave the way for a more sustainable future in farming.

If you’ve ever bought strawberries in the United States, then you’re probably familiar with Driscoll’s. They are one of the largest strawberry producers in North America, and they are leading the charge in vertical farming. Vertical farming is a farm that isn’t splayed out across several acres of flat land. It’s a farm that is structured in a vertical building, making it perfect for farming in the middle of a major city.

A new statistical ranking by TIME and Statista ranks 250 of America’s top sustainability-­focused companies, based on their positive environmental impact, financial strength, and innovation, to see who is rising to the top of the field.