Jason Lewis
Ian Elam
Sahil Raina
Derian Dominguez
Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management
Megan Buchter
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Got Produce? has developed automated hydroponic greenhouse systems to ensure every stage of the production chain is efficiently maximized, which significantly reduces waste and increases production levels. Compared to traditional farming methods, these systems use very little water and land and essentially eliminate transportation costs and carbon by growing and distributing produce close to the consumer. Additionally, these systems have brought high-quality produce to communities that may normally lack access for reasons such as poor climate, etc.
Got Produce? has developed a unique hydroponic greenhouse system that combines automated software, which adapts nutrient formulas to changing weather patterns, with custom-designed pumps, motors, and sensors. These systems are typically franchised and strategically built to serve local businesses or communities. The smart systems ensure only the precise amount of water and nutrients are delivered to crops, which plays a major role in reducing waste and increasing food yields. The company’s systems help in reducing more than 90% of the water required to produce each unit of fruit or vegetable. For example, a head of lettuce typically requires around 50 gallons of water when grown in soil, but only one gallon when grown in a Got Produce? controlled environment. This is critical as roughly 80% of freshwater consumption around the world is used by agriculture. Specifically, in areas where the demand for freshwater exceeds the natural supply, this innovation can have a significant impact. Additionally, the planting to harvesting time of produce grown in Got Produce? systems are up to 4x faster in many cases. Finally, the technology ultimately enables the consistent year-round production of quality produce without herbicides and pesticides and requires very little land to do so.
As an undergraduate student, Deborah Walliser worked on a NASA-funded project to put together hydroponic systems for the International Space Station. Working on this project ultimately sparked Walliser’s entrepreneurial journey as she realized the future potential of this cutting-edge technology. Walliser recalls the groundbreaking day of her journey while driving through North Carolina and seeing different flood-irrigated fields: “Here is this fantastic technology that I know that we have…And we're still farming the same old way…I decided somebody's got to do something about this, and I choose myself, you know to do something about it.” Walliser eventually entered the private business world and began studying agriculture in various desert climates along Interstate 40. Overall, it took several years to develop hydroponic technology that was commercially feasible before Got Produce? officially launched. While her experiences as a student provided an initial spark in her entrepreneurial journey, Walliser described one of the key motivations for pursuing this business venture, which is “To be more sustainable.” Got Produce? progressed and built some of its first few hydroponic greenhouse systems in communities in Sub-Saharan Africa where farming isn’t feasible. These greenhouses brought quality food to these communities that typically lacked access. Seeing the impact of these greenhouses firsthand provided validation towards the innovation and motivated Deborah to keep pushing along in building out Got Produce?.
One major impact of this innovation is reducing carbon emissions that agricultural practices typically emit while also providing communities facing food insecurity access to locally sourced food. Got Produce? voluntarily reports to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which measures things like fertilizer use per output, energy use per output, and water use per output. As mentioned Got Produce? uses 90% less water when growing various produce items. These reports are publicly available and people have access to it to see the environmental impact of the company. Additionally, a decrease in carbon emissions and water usage is beneficial to the well-being of our planet. Furthermore, giving communities access to food that they normally don’t have to can translate to long-term sustainability as these communities are able to continue locally sourcing their food while protecting the well-being of the planet.
Got Produce? has brought quality produce to areas in which growing produce was once thought to not be feasible due to poor climate conditions, etc. Additionally, the advanced technology has helped farmers and franchisees maximize revenues by increasing food yields while also reducing operating costs, which in turn helps increase profit margins. Got Produce? is helping to break up the monoculture and industrial supply chain in the agricultural industry (which currently faces many issues) and make it local again. Finally, the easily scalable franchise business model has opened the door for investment opportunities by individuals looking to make some money while creating a positive real-world impact on society and the environment.
The advanced hydroponic farming innovation created by Got Produce? has truly enabled more sustainable farming. It allows people to use both land and resources more efficiently, which is crucial to communities that lack critical natural resources and food security. Each greenhouse franchised or built by Got Produce? has the ability to create small, incremental environmental changes, which compound over time. In regards to the farmers/franchisees of the greenhouses, placing these greenhouses in strategic locations close to the consumer helps in reducing transportation costs as well as the carbon footprint associated with producing food. For the consumer, this innovation in farming has led to more nutritious, higher quality, pesticide-free produce is available. Overall, the company has produced a consistent positive impact on both society and the environment.
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Deborah Walliser, Founder & CEO
Got Produce? was founded by Deborah Walliser, a hydroponic expert, in 2011. The company offers advanced hydroponic greenhouse solutions that enable the sustainable production of food for businesses and local communities around the world.