Richard Ballard

Richard Ballard is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Zero Carbon Farms, which operates under the name Growing Underground. He is a pioneering figure in the field of urban farming and sustainable food production.

Background and Founding of Growing Underground

Richard Ballard, along with his co-founder Steven Dring, established Growing Underground, the world's first underground farm.12 The idea for this innovative venture came from their shared interest in vertical farming and concerns about soil degradation trends.1 After exploring various options, they settled on using abandoned underground spaces in London, specifically a former World War II air raid shelter 33 meters below Clapham High Street.2

The Underground Farm

Growing Underground produces fresh microgreens and baby leaf vegetables using hydroponic systems and LED lighting.12 The farm operates in a controlled environment, allowing for year-round production with harvests approximately every 10 days.2 By 2022, the farm aimed to produce over 60 tonnes of produce annually from a 528m² area.2

Sustainability Focus

Ballard's vision centers on zero-carbon food production.2 The farm employs various sustainable practices:

• Reducing food miles by growing within the city
• Using 70% less water than conventional farming methods
• Utilizing renewable energy
• Implementing data-driven optimization to reduce energy consumption

Collaboration and Innovation

Ballard has shown a commitment to innovation by collaborating with academic institutions. The farm partnered with researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Alan Turing Institute to develop "smart farming" techniques and create a digital twin of the farm for optimization purposes.2

Experience and Expertise

With nearly a decade of experience in the industry, Ballard has been involved in every aspect of urban farming, from preliminary technology and growing tests to high-level strategic planning.5 His role as COO involves overseeing the farm's operations and driving the company's sustainable growth strategies.3

Richard Ballard's work with Growing Underground has garnered attention in the food industry, including collaboration with two-star Michelin chef Michel Roux.4 His efforts in sustainable urban farming are contributing to shaping the future of food production in cities.