Association of vertical farming
germany
About the Association
The Association for Vertical Farming (AVF) is the leading global, non-profit organisation that enables international exchange and cooperation in order to accelerate the development of the indoor/vertical farming industry.
Mission
The Association for Vertical Farming is the leading, global non-profit organisation for raising awareness and connecting all stakeholders to advance the implementation of vertical farming.
Vision
Leadership
Christine Zimmermann-Loessl
Christine Zimmermann-Loessl is AVFs chairwoman since its foundation 2013. She holds a Master degree in Political Science, Philosophy and Chinese from LMU Munich. Her interest and experience in international work and collaboration to create a more sustainable and friendly world met with the new concepts of Vertical Farming. She is a known speaker in this field and advocates for a broad implementation of Vertical Farming around the world.
Dr. Joel Cuello
Dr. Joel L. Cuello is Professor of Biosystems Engineering and Director of the Global Initiative for Strategic Agriculture in Dry Lands (GISAD) at The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. He is also currently Vice-Chair of the International Association for Vertical Farming (AVF).
A globally recognized expert in the engineering of sustainable biological and agricultural systems, his technical expertise in both engineering and biology provides the platform for engineering designs in various agricultural and biological systems with an emphasis on optimizing productivities while fostering resource sustainability and environmental protection.
Focus Areas
| Controlled-environment agriculture research & innovation |
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Industry collaboration and technology development partnerships |
Policy advocacy for sustainable, climate-smart food systems |
Demonstration and pilot project support in major global cities |
Global Reach & Membership
- AVF represents a growing global network of:
- Vertical farm operators
- Agritech and horticultural technology companies
- Universities and research centers
- Sustainability and urban development institutions
AVF Academy
Curious about how Aquaponics and Hydroponics are revolutionizing food production? Join our inspiring educational platform where knowledge and experience come together. If you’re looking to deepen your expertise, this is your chance to connect, learn, and become part of a thriving community that’s redefining agriculture for a sustainable future. Enroll in expert-led courses, exclusively available on AVF-Academy — an initiative by the Association of Vertical Farming (AVF).
SIF (Sustainable Indoor Farming Certificate)
It comprises a set of sustainability criteria tailored to vertical farming, with consistent data collection and continuous improvement as core values. It ensures that they key environmental benefits of vertical farming – absence of pesticide use, stronger nutrient efficiency and a significant reduction in water use – are being realised.