Alumni Spotlight: Jonathan Rubin Takes Vertical Farming to New Heights
Jonathan Rubin graduated in 2020 with an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy.
this story is originally published Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.
Jonathan Rubin’s deep-seated affinity for nature and the environment blossomed during his Florida growing up. From volunteering at a turtle hospital to biking through the stunning Everglades, he has developed an unbreakable connection to the natural world.
After moving to Israel — where he studied government, diplomacy and strategy as an undergraduate — Rubin pursued a career in policy in the Knesset, known as the parliament, and an internship at the U.S. Congress.To combine his political experience with his love for the environment, he signed up for a year-long MPA Environmental Science and Policy Programprovided jointly by Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and climate schoolAs a student, Rubin was one of the leaders of Israel Trek, a week-long trip that exposed him to groundbreaking practices such as water recycling, solar farms and algae farms. These innovative approaches to sustainability reinforce the valuable lessons he has learned in the classroom.
“At SIPA, many of our courses focused on economics, environmental policy, and biology,” recalls Rubin. “In a course, [adjunct professor] Howard Upsan Showed us the vertical farm. I said, ‘Okay, let me look at vertical farming from all these different angles. So whenever we have to write papers, instead of focusing on such a hugely different environmental field, I focus specifically on vertical farms. “
Rubin received a travel grant from Columbia University to further research sustainable agriculture. Among other things, he studies aquaponic symbiosis, an integrated growing ecosystem where fish and plants live in harmony and where the fish’s excrement acts as a natural fertilizer for the plants. In return, the plants filter and purify the water.
Rubin’s aquaponics experiments laid the groundwork for hydroponic systems, which grow plants in nutrient-rich aqueous solutions without the need for soil.
2021 Rubin Introduced Farm Fresh Floridagrows non-GMO hydroponic lettuce, microgreens, sprouts, herbs, and other leafy greens in Boca Raton — providing fresh produce to South Florida caterers, restaurants, supermarkets, and food banks.
planting crops Stack layers vertically Increases crop yields while requiring less space, water and energy compared to traditional farming, and allows for year-round crop production. Since the crops are grown in a controlled environment, there is less need for pesticides and herbicides.
Fresh Florida Farms now has the capacity to produce 100,000 heads of lettuce a year in a “very small space,” Rubin said.
The remarkable growth of the vertical farming industry, which is expected to reach $9.7 billion in revenue by 2026 (up from $3.1 billion in 2021), attests to its potential.
“There are many parts to being a farmer. Only 30% are actually growing produce. A lot of it has to do with policy, logistical support, and food safety regulations. Farmers will also spend a lot of time researching and working with the USDA Carry out the project.”
While vertical farming is undeniably beneficial to the environment, with a keen understanding of policy issues, Rubin highlights its broader geopolitical implications.
“Many countries are exploring the feasibility of developing vertical farms to address rising food costs and threats to national food security,” he explained, noting that the UAE and Singapore have little arable land. “Many smaller countries may import more than 80% of their produce. If there is a war and borders are closed, people will go hungry. Vertical farms have the potential to reduce farming costs and make fresh produce more affordable.”
Rubin was certainly entrepreneurial—always seeking to maximize growing time, space capacity, and even designed his own automatic watering system—but Fresh Florida Farms also has a social mission. Rubin works with students with special needs, teaching them about the farm and donating surplus crops to local food banks.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing to see the community come together and be able to help benefit different groups of people,” Rubin said. “In addition to the environmental benefits of this kind of operation, there are also many social benefits.”
He’s also eager to connect with the Columbia community, offering advice to current and future students interested in starting their own sustainability ventures: “Get a professor to mentor you, help guide you on how to get along, network at events, try to Win grants.” And, of course, eat leafy greens!
