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Understand What Your Initial Investment In A Freight Farm Will Be

These One-Time Costs Cover Purchasing, Setting Up, And Launching Your Farm

Freight Farms

Container Farm Cost

Greenery™ S: $149,000 (International pricing will vary)

Learn about financing options

Farm Logistics

Shipping: Estimated $4.50/mile from Boston, Massachusetts

Depending on the time of year and location of the farm, the delivery and placement cost may fluctuate. While the average is $4.50, we’ve seen delivery costs range from $2.60 per mile to $10.65 per mile.

Placement: Standard crane $1,200–$3,000 (may vary depending on any specialty site needs)

Services: Training Costs

2-Day Boston HQ Farm Camp: $1,250 per person

2-Day Site Visit: $10,000

(up to 8 people can attend)

Local Provider

Internet

The Greenery S requires 5GB of data per month for complete programming and control. Consult your local provider for WiFi/hotspot setup, or hardwiring if a hotspot is not supported in your area. 

Electricity

You will need to hire an electrician on the day of delivery to connect your farm to 150 amp, 240V split-phase power (parts list also available for conversion to 3-phase power). Once your farm site has been determined, consult with a local electrician to discuss rates and any additional work that may be needed to update existing electrical service.

Water

It is recommended to have water access within 50 feet of the farm. Soft plumb (hose access) is recommended. Consult a plumber if you plan to hard plumb. 

  • Water Filtration

  • If you have hard water, you may need filtration. Once your site is identified, have your water source tested. Freight Farms can recommend filtration as needed.

Foundation

The Greenery S weighs 8 tons and requires a foundation. Consult a local contractor for any of the following foundation options: asphalt, trap rock, railroad ties, sonotubes, or a concrete pad.

  • Site Clearing

  • The Greenery S requires a 50’x10’, cleared space for a farm site. Account for any site clearing you may need to do when considering your costs.

  • Permits and Zoning

  • Depending on local regulations, you may need to obtain permits such as for building, water, or electrical for any construction on your site. Consult local regulatory authorities to understand the rules in your area.

  • Recommended Tools

  • Allen wrench set

  • Bolt cutters

  • Micro screwdrivers

  • Socket wrench set

  • Toe jack

  • Laser level

  • Pressure treated wood

  • Laptop or tablet

  • Pliers

OPERATIONAL COSTS

Budget for the ongoing cost of operating and maintaining a Freight Farm. All costs listed are annual estimates.

Annual Supplies & Maintenance

Growing Supplies

Substrate, Nutrients, and Solutions: $7,210
Estimate includes purchase of a 12-month subscription of the farmhand Shop Essentials Kit and a year’s supply of the Starter Kit. (Does not include shipping cost of these items.)
Does not include seeds; we recommend working with a supplier like Johnny's Seeds.

Equipment Maintenance

Cleaning Supplies: $1,500

Maintenance: $2,000–$3,000

First year is covered under a one-year farm hardware warranty. Estimate is for all following years. Labor is not included in the warranty.

Produce Packaging Costs

Plastic clamshells and plastic bags are the most popular produce packaging methods among Freight Farmers because they are the most effective at protecting and preserving produce. Plastic clamshells costs around $40/100 count, and plastic bags cost around $25/1,000 count.

Costs will vary depending on your outlet and distribution model. Read more about packaging options.

CO2 Tank

CO2 Tank Rental and Refill: $2,000

CO2 helps to speed up plant growth and balance energy usage. Tanks can be rented and refilled from welding or restaurant supply companies. We recommend renting two tanks of CO2 for a continual supply. Generally, one 20-lb. tank of CO2 lasts about a week and a half.

The cost to rent a 20-lb. tank of CO2 is around $50 annually. Each refill costs around $30. Keep in mind that costs vary depending on your area, provider, and farm operation.

Project Planning Center

Utilities

Electrical

Electricity usage in the Greenery S is necessary to power different systems like lighting, pumps, fans, and environmental controls, among others. The variation in electricity usage depends on factors such as crop types, inside humidity levels, and the outside climate. It is essential to optimize the controllable factors to ensure the lowest possible energy use.

The Greenery S offers three pre-set LED power modes that operators can select depending on their growing objectives. Each mode has a range of electricity usage and an impact on yield output.

  • Eco Mode (151–246 kWh per day) 

  • Standard Mode (171–268 kWh per day)

  • Performance Mode (191–350 kWh per day)

It is recommended to consult with Freight Farms for a better understanding of potential electricity usage based on your unique situation.

Water

135–200 gallons/month. (Water usage increases if using RO filter.)

Internet

A WiFi signal is necessary for farmhand® connectivity. Farmhand® will use about 5GB of data per month, per farm.

Investment Calculator Tool

Other Operating Costs

Farm Automation Software Cost

Farmhand Enterprise: $2,400/Year (1 Farm, 1 User)

- Additional Farms: $1,200/Year
- Additional Users: $300/Year

Labor Input

One Freight Farm requires 30 hours of labor per week. Consider the cost of your time or the cost of hiring an employee to operate the farm.

Distribution

Account for costs of transporting produce, depending on your distribution model.

Ready to jump-start your farming adventure with Freight Farms?

Speak with a member of our team to learn more about planning and budgeting for a Freight Farm.