80 Acres Farms and Soli Organic Merge to Form Major US Indoor Farming Network

By Agroempresario.com

Two of the leading names in indoor agriculture, 80 Acres Farms and Soli Organic, have announced plans to merge, forming one of the world’s largest and most advanced indoor farming networks. The merger aims to deliver high-quality produce at scale across the United States, leveraging the combined expertise, technology, and distribution networks of both companies.

80 Acres Farms, headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio, currently operates five fully automated indoor vertical farms powered by renewable energy. Earlier this year, the company raised $115 million, bringing its total funding to over $350 million, and acquired the assets and intellectual property of former vertical farming leader Kalera, as well as Israeli biotech firm Plantae Biosciences to enhance its focus on plant genomics.

Meanwhile, Soli Organic, based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has been operating since 1989 and controls a significant portion of the US market for organic culinary herbs. In recent years, the company has expanded from outdoor cultivation to include indoor vertical farming, reflecting a broader shift in the industry toward controlled environment agriculture (CEA) for higher consistency, quality, and yield.

“This merger is not just about scale, it’s about superior product quality,” said Mike Zelkind, cofounder and CEO of 80 Acres Farms. “The biggest challenge in CEA has been an overemphasis on pricing. Consumers deserve consistently fresh, high-quality produce, not wilted or subpar vegetables.”

Ulf Jonsson, a founder of Soli Organic, added: “We’ve outgrown what traditional greenhouses can deliver. Vertical farms provide greater consistency, better yields, and premium quality, making them essential for the future of sustainable agriculture.”

The merged company will operate seven indoor farms under the 80 Acres Farms brand, maintaining Hamilton, Ohio as its headquarters, with Zelkind continuing as CEO. The combined network is expected to supply more than 17,000 retail locations across the US, utilizing 80 Acres’ advanced growing technology alongside Soli Organic’s established customer base. Annual production is projected at 15–30 million pounds of fresh produce, with first-year revenues estimated at $200 million.

Despite past challenges in the indoor agriculture sector, including bankruptcies and closures, Zelkind remains optimistic about the industry’s potential. “The promise of indoor agriculture is still very real,” he said. “We are finally delivering on that promise, and the current market correction is a healthy sign that the sector is maturing. We’re not asking if it will succeed, but when—and who will lead the next era.”

The merger signals a new phase for vertical farming in the US, demonstrating the viability of combining cutting-edge technology with established agricultural expertise to meet growing consumer demand for fresh, local, and high-quality produce. Experts suggest this consolidation could pave the way for further growth and innovation in controlled environment agriculture.

With this strategic move, 80 Acres Farms and Soli Organic are positioning themselves as leaders in a more sustainable, efficient, and quality-focused future for indoor farming in the United States.