“We are building Shipshape Urban Farms, eight hydroponic farms, on St. Michael Street in downtown Mobile. The whole space is the equivalent of a 20-acre farm on less than 1/4 of an acre and over 56,000 plants can grow at once. We will harvest nearly 9,000 heads of lettuces, herbs, leafy greens, and small vegetables a week and the growing season is 365 days a year. The farm is built from repurposed shipping containers because shipping containers were developed in Mobile in the 1950’s. The first harvest will be the end of November or the first of December. We can also host garden parties and events there.
Baldwin County was all farmland when I was a kid and now it is track houses. We are creating a way to take farmland back in a very small space by growing vertically instead of horizontal and using three-dimensional space. We have also taken out environmental pressures by using LED lighting and drip irrigation systems so plants don’t have to grow in soil. Everything is dense and the root structure sits in a permeable mesh. The water recycles through, it gets to the bottom and goes back up again, so we use the equivalent of 10 gallons of water a day. That is 90 percent less water than a traditional farm. We will be non-GMO and won’t use any pesticides
We will also grow herbs on a vertical wall that is about 700 square feet. We are doing an annual CSA, which is Community Supported Agriculture, and people can buy a share of a crop. It is a way to keep food local and support farmers.
Angela and I have been working on this for nearly two years. I have a background in landscape architecture and urban planning and she has a background in horticulture and she researched hydroponics. I worked for the Bloomberg team and went to work for Auburn as an adjunct professor then we started Shipshape. I am an Iraq war vet and this will have a certification for Homegrown Heroes, certifying this farm is produced by a veteran family. Starting a business is stressful and financing is challenging. It took a while to get our first dollar and show the banks that Mobile wants this. People can support it now by signing up for the CSA.
“This farm has been the focal point of all of our conversations the last two years. We had to figure out how to do bring this to Mobile. We are lucky that our backgrounds compliment each other.”
“We plan to sell to restaurants downtown, farmers markets, and directly to the consumer through CSAs. A lot of the local restaurant owners are interested. Nothing that is worth doing comes easy. Several years ago, people thought we were crazy to live downtown, now everyone thinks it is amazing and asks how they can get an apartment. It is cool to be in Mobile at this time. We are 20 years too late to hit the big cities like Seattle and Austin but you can make a” big difference here. Downtown Mobile two years from now is going to be a very different place from where it is today. It is totally different than it was two years ago.”
“We talked about going to a big city where it would be easy to start this farm, but we wanted to stay here and bring it home. We would like to expand it to other areas on the Gulf Coast.I look forward to seeing our name on a chalkboard outside of a restaurant. It gives me chills thinking about it.”
“Science brought us together. We met in a Biology lab at Faulkner. I walked into class late and she was sitting in the front row. I sat next to her because I thought she was cute.”
“We started as study buddies. I am sure we made the people behind us want to throw up. We were taking night classes and the labs were long. We had the highest grades in the class because studying was an excuse to be together. I guess it worked.”
(You can support Shipshape Urban Farms by joining their CSA)
So proud of you two,cant wait to see you up and running!
Hi Jim Craft,
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
I love your idea! How do I sign up for the CSA?
Hi Lloyd,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
So happy to see downtown mobile may actually be coming back to life. I will support your endeavor by doing there at your first harvest and telling everyone I know to shop there. Just an idea but is there any way you can sell to local nursing homes? Or schools? The young and old would benefit greatly from a healthy alternative to their institutional cooking.
Hi
Thank you for your kind words. Great idea, we are working on becoming GAP certified so we can sell to local schools. We will look into sells at local nursing homes. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
This is so exciting!!! Yay for you and yay for we citizens of Mobile!
What a wonderful idea! I wish you luck on your dream. I’ve read several the limited food resources in many cities. I’m excited to see the many positive things happening in our city and I think your idea is one of the best I’ve heard yet. I look forward to not only seeing your dream become reality but possibly becoming a customer! Good Luck
Hi Elaine,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Would love to help…
Hi Vincenzo,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please send us an email with how you would like to become involved. ( [email protected] ) Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
I’ m so excited to hear you are doing this! Can’t wait till you are running full speed.
Hi Gail,
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
I am interested in joining your CSA, but I don’t know what this entails. May I have the details, please!
Hi Dawn,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Very interested in joining your
CSA! How do I make that happen?
Hi Trish
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
This is awesome !
Hi Nick,
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
So excited! Keep up the good work!
Hi Mary,
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Would love to help
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please send us an email with how you would like to become involved. ( [email protected] ) Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
How does one join the CSA???
Hi B,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
I live downtown and would love to purchase from your farm.
Hi Jim,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
How do I sign up for your CSA? Excited for you and look forward to harvest!
Hi Beth,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Great idea!
Good luck.
Hi Carlos
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
This is truly amazing. Much success to the both of you.
Hi Roderick
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
I live in midtown, Leinkauf District, and I am a certified master gardener (Auburn sponsors Master Gardeners) and I am SO EXCITED about this project! I will definitely buy from you!
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
War Eagle
Brenda,
Could you direct me to some resources that would help me determine which plants from my Pacific Northwest garden I could feasibly move with me to Mobile? I tried reaching out to the head of the Alabama state garden club and no one got back to me, so when I read you are a Master Gardener…..
Wonderful!! Would love to help!!!
Hi Ricci,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please send us an email with how you would like to become involved. ( [email protected] ) Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Please let me know how to sign up.
Hi Jeanne,
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Built a garden on the side of the house I lived at midtown and was forced to move so had to transfer what I had to the small apartment porch here in West Mobile( my whole patio is nothing but tomorrow’s curtently). Plan on moving back downtown and buying. How can I become apart of this? Been waiting on something like this for years.
Hi Andy
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. Please send us an email with how you would like to become involved.
( [email protected] ) We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Absolutely wondefulHope you won’t give up on coming to Fairhope. We need this!
Congrats and good luck!
Best of everything to both of you!
I teach 5th grade Science and would love to check this out. It would be great to Skype with you and have you explain this process to the kids.
Hi Jenn,
We would be happy to speak with your class. Please send us an email to discuss the idea further. [email protected]
Hi Jenn,
We would love to speak with your class. Please send us an email [email protected]
Sign me up!
Hi Mary
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Hi Mary
Thank you for your interest in Shipshape Urban Farms! Please check out our website ( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to gain a better understanding of what we’re all about. We have descriptions of CSA options and a Q&A section. We would also be more than happy to answer any additional questions through email or phone. Please like us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) to keep up to date on our progress. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Hi, Dale and Angela!
What an awesome initiative! My fiancé and I are local beekeepers to Mobile and are eager to place beehives on farms in the area. We’ve helped the Mobile Urban Growers in the past with hive setup as well as mentoring their beginner beekeepers. If you’re interested, we’d be happy to discuss it further. We are both very excited to see your progress and wish you both the best of luck.
Best regards,
Brittany and Patrick
If you’d like to check out the work we do, please visit our Instagram page at: @bee_vomit_brittanyandpatrick or our Facebook page at: Facebook.com/BeeVomitbyBrittanyandPatrick
It was great meeting you guys. Talk to you soon.
Fantastic…and congratulations! I also live in the City, but on Dog River. I do hydroponics; mainly tomatoes and leafy greens and have had great success for several years. Going vertical is the way to go! I wish you well in your endeavor!
Hi Travis,
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
I went from one end of St Michael St to the other trying to find your business, and found no sign of it. What’s your address, and how far along is it?
Hi Michael,
We will be located at 610 St. Michael St. Currently, we are in the process of getting approval from the city for our project. The farm is projected to be completed near the end of the year.
Hello,
I came across this post during the research I have been doing for a possible move to Mobile. I snorted when I read this part, “It is cool to be in Mobile at this time. We are 20 years too late to hit the big cities like Seattle and Austin but you can make a” big difference here. Downtown Mobile two years from now is going to be a very different place from where it is today. It is totally different than it was two years ago.” I currently live in Seattle and believe me you don’t want to hit Seattle which unfortunately is going downhill quickly. The reason I am considering Mobile is a smaller, slower place. Also, Seattle is not ‘green’ anymore, we have lost 40% of our tree canopy due to greedy development and much of what you read about Seattle being sustainable is greenwashing. Every other car here is an SUV, etc. Yes, we have some cool CSA’s, farmer’s market and some environmental non-profits, but it isn’t like it used to be. Be glad your change is at a slower pace.
I wish you all success with your new business and I am glad to hear of projects like this in Mobile.
Hi K Redman,
Thank you for your kind words. Please like us on Facebook
( https://www.facebook.com/ShipshapeUrbanFarms/ ) and check out our website
( https://www.shipshapeurbanfarms.com ) to learn more or join our CSA. We can’t do this without support from people like you.
Best,
Dale & Angela
Have y’all purchased the shipping containers already?
I live in Atlanta, but Mobile is still home. Thank you for being a part of that sweet town’s renaissance.