Who We Are Archives - Hydroponic Container Farms and Mushroom Farms

Plants & Family: Get to Know Brynne Doughten, FarmBox’s Sales Program Developer

Brynne Doughten, Sales Program Development for FarmBox Foods

Tell me about where you grew up.

I grew up in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. Downers Grove, where the winters were brutal but the pizza made up for it. 🤪 It was a classic Midwest 90’s upbringing: bike rides until the streetlights came on, lemonade stands with a questionable ROI, and character-building extracurriculars. I was an athlete, a theater kid, and a nature lover – a mix that still defines me today.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

My first career aspiration was to be a “Dolphin Swimmer” at the Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago. That trajectory shifted over time, but I always had a deep curiosity for how things work and a desire to make things better – for people, for communities, and for the planet.

Tell me a little bit about your professional background.

My background is rooted in relationship-building and purpose-driven service. I spent several years in healthcare, supporting operating room teams and women’s health clinicians, particularly in diagnosing and treating breast cancer. It was meaningful and challenging work that taught me the power of impact-driven innovation. Over time, I began to crave a more holistic, community-centered approach to wellness and impact. I wanted to shift from reactive healthcare to proactive solutions that support people and the planet. That calling led me to FarmBox Foods – a place where I could blend my professional skills with my personal values. Here, I get to be part of a mission that’s grounded in sustainability, equity, and food as medicine.

Give a brief overview of your role with the company.

I lead Sales Program Development, which means I’m part strategist, part systems builder, and part professional dot-connector. I refine our sales process, build tools that make our team stronger, and work closely with prospects to turn curiosity into commitment. I also collaborate cross-functionally to ensure our mission stays aligned with the humans we serve – whether hospitals, schools, organizations, or entrepreneurs.

Tell me about your education experience and how it may have prepared you for this role.

My formal education came from the University of Kentucky, and like many people, it wasn’t a straight line. I studied nursing, communications, and healthcare ethics – an unexpected mix that taught me how the body works, how people think, and how they make decisions. But honestly, life and motherhood have been my greatest teachers. They’ve taught me how to juggle priorities, lead with empathy, and stay grounded under pressure. Lessons that shape how I show up in my role every day.

What do you like most about being at FarmBox Foods?

The people. Hands down. This is a team that believes in what we do and shows up – for each other, our partners, and the communities we serve. I also love that I get to be part of something bigger than myself. We’re not just selling a product – we’re changing how the world thinks about food, sustainability, and self-reliance. That’s powerful stuff.

Share a little bit about your personal life and family.

I’m married to my college sweetheart, and we have two awesome kids – Perry, our almost 5-year-old, is thoughtful, nature-loving, and thrives on rhythm and routine. She’s got an old soul and a curious mind. Eamon, our almost 2-year-old, is joyful, wild, and full of mischief in the best way. They keep us humble, tired, and wildly in love with life.

I’m very family-centered. My people are my world. Like Perry, I’m also big on rituals and rhythm – Sunday dinners, bedtime stories, music always playing in the kitchen. That’s where my heart lives.

What do you like to do for fun?

I am a sourdough nerd (I’ve even sell a few loaves on the side), a passionate gardener, and a wannabe herbalist. I love being outside – digging in the dirt, foraging, chasing my kids through the yard. I’m also into cooking from scratch and finding magic in the mundane. When I do get a rare moment alone, you’ll find me with a book, a tea, and probably five tabs open planning my next project.

FarmBox Foods Grateful for ‘Coolest Thing’ Recognition

A high-tech farm housed in an upcycled shipping container was the top winner at this year’s Coolest Thing Made in Colorado contest by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

The top 10 nominees were joined by 300 attendees at the annual awards ceremony Oct. 23 at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, including state dignitaries, business leaders, chamber staff, students and supporters.

The controlled-climate container farm — manufactured in Colorado by FarmBox Foods — has been deployed worldwide to enable people and organizations to sustainably grow food in places where farming is typically not possible, whether due to short growing seasons, poor climate conditions, limited space or infertile soils.

“A recognition like this is a true honor and shows that we’re on the right track,” said Rusty Walker, CEO of FarmBox Foods. “Since the beginning, we have led with our mission and values and followed our instincts, and it’s brought us to this point.”

Walker said having a spotlight like the one that comes with the ‘Coolest Thing’ award could be a catalyst to inspire others to adopt the ag technology and feed people. He promised the company would be “good stewards” of the award and what it stands for.

Jason Brown, vice president of operations for FarmBox Foods and the original designer and builder of the company’s prototypes, said he’s grateful for the excitement generated by something that started with a simple idea: using tech and science to grow food using fewer resources.

“Our role has been designing, building and delivering the technology. It’s our customers who are doing great things with it, and having the privilege of watching them impact their community in a positive way will never get old,” Brown said.

The Vertical Hydroponic Farm is a 320-square-foot container farm that reduces water usage and energy consumption associated with food production. It allows users to grow healthy food year-round, no matter the climate, and eliminates the variables that often come with traditional farming, including impacts from weather and pests. Growing near the consumer also reduces food miles and preserves shelf life. The company delivers the farms anywhere in the world they’re needed.

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce organizes the annual Coolest Thing Made in Colorado contest to highlight Colorado’s booming manufacturing industry.

Veterans Dig Into Farming as Their Next Act of Service

Gerard and Jesse Holodak are the husband-and-wife team behind Koa Mushrooms and Rainier Roots Farm, a veteran-owned family farm nestled along the Columbia River in Rainier, Oregon. Both former U.S. Army officers, they bring the same spirit of service and resilience that guided their military careers into their mission of farming. Gerard served in Civil Affairs, while Jesse specialized in logistics, experiences that continue to inform their strategic and community-focused approach to agriculture.

Gerard, a mushroom farm sales rep for FarmBox Foods and soon-to-be owner of a Gourmet Mushroom Farm, grew up surrounded by farmland in Vermont and Oregon. His childhood was steeped in the daily rhythm of agriculture: raising chickens, tending mixed vegetable plots and spending long days helping out in the barn.

“I basically lived in the barn,” he recalls. “I loved it when I was younger.”

That early connection to the land laid the foundation for a life defined by service, first in uniform and later through farming. Answering what he says was a “call to service,” Gerard joined the U.S. Army with a desire to help people and be part of the solution. He spent nearly 13 years in Civil Affairs, a branch that acts as a bridge between military forces and civilian populations in conflict zones. His work centered on stability operations and humanitarian aid, often coordinating with the United Nations and USAID to deliver food, water and shelter in regions struggling with basic needs.

While deployed, Gerard worked in food-insecure rural areas around the world, observing the critical link between agriculture and stability. Those experiences deepened his conviction that sustainable food systems are a cornerstone of peace. That element of civil operations — preventing conflict through stability — was fulfilling, he says.

“After the military, I wanted to continue serving by helping feed people and build communities,” Gerard said.

After medically retiring, Gerard began exploring ways to combine his agricultural roots with his passion for service. He earned a Master’s degree in Civil – Military Interaction and is currently pursuing a master’s in Sustainable Agriculture from Sam Houston State University. The transition to farming was a natural evolution. While still in Hawaii, Gerard and Jesse launched Koa Mushrooms out of their garage on Hickam Air Force Base, selling at local farmers markets and partnering with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to expand. They soon began collaborating with local farmers to create a more permanent mushroom operation, eventually supplying restaurants, stores and wholesale restaurant food distributors.

Their success in Hawaii inspired a new chapter in Oregon, where they founded Rainier Roots Farm. Today, the Holodaks cultivate just under 20 acres, with about a half-acre currently in production. They grow root vegetables like beets, turnips and carrots, along with red cabbage, squash and other winter crops. Their orchard produces apples, plums, pears, peaches and heirloom fruits such as quince, persimmons and apricots. The couple practices no-till agriculture and permaculture, with plans to rewild portions of their land to restore habitat and biodiversity.

As former Army officers, Gerry and Jesse’s lives were dedicated to caring for soldiers and their families, preparing them to face tough missions and recover afterward. That sense of duty didn’t end when we hung up the uniform — it’s what drives their work now. In addition to building a market for fresh produce, they have worked to perfect dried medicinal mushrooms and are looking to partner across the US with veteran-focused coffee, tea, and beer companies to provide functional mushrooms like pre-activated Reishi and Lion’s Mane to help veterans and first responders combat the detrimental effects of stress and trauma in their path toward wellness for them and their families. We want to continue serving by helping veterans and first responders rebuild strength, focus, and resilience through nutrition and community connection.

Their goal for the coming year is to have the storefront open by spring, providing a space for local farmers to sell their crops and strengthen the local food economy.

(Contact Koa Mushrooms at 571-633-4024 or koa.mushrooms@gmail.com)

In addition to managing the farm, Gerard is ready to take delivery of a Gourmet Mushroom Farm made by FarmBox Foods, helping to advance containerized growing technologies for both commercial purposes and humanitarian projects. His background in Civil Affairs and agriculture aligns perfectly with FarmBox’s mission of enabling food security anywhere in the world, even in regions affected by climate change or resource scarcity. He’s particularly determined to see how mobile, modular farming systems can help positively impact island nations facing rising sea levels sustain their food supply.

Gerard and Jesse’s work is guided by a simple philosophy: that farming is an act of service. Their dedication to sustainable agriculture and community resilience reflects the same values that defined their military careers: commitment, adaptability and care for others. Together with their three daughters, Charlotte, Madeline and Juliet, they’re cultivating more than crops; they’re growing a future rooted in service, sustainability and shared prosperity.

The Many Benefits of Modular Farming

In recent years, interest in container farming has grown rapidly as communities, entrepreneurs and institutions look for ways to build a more sustainable and resilient food system. Using insulated shipping containers that are retrofitted for agriculture, these farms are transforming the way food is produced and distributed. Whether referred to as farm containers, a farm in a container or a container vertical farm, this model of food production is redefining what it means to grow fresh, local food.

What Is Container Farming?

At its core, container farming is the practice of growing crops inside repurposed shipping containers that are equipped with advanced climate control and growing systems. These farms often use hydroponics in a shipping container, allowing plants to grow in nutrient-rich water rather than soil. The result is a tightly controlled environment that minimizes resource use while maximizing yield.

A container farm can be installed almost anywhere, from urban parking lots and rural communities to universities, hospitals and corporate campuses. With modular systems, such as a vertical farm container, operators can expand their production capacity as needed. This flexibility is one of the main reasons why container farming companies are gaining attention worldwide.

Key Advantages of Container Farming

Year-Round Food Production

One of the greatest advantages of a shipping container farm is its ability to produce crops consistently throughout the year. Traditional farming is often disrupted by weather, pests or drought, but a shipping container vertical farm uses controlled lighting, humidity and temperature to ensure steady growth.

Resource Efficiency

Container farming is designed for efficiency. With hydroponic farming containers, plants use up to 95% less water compared to traditional agriculture. Vertical designs and hydroponic grow containers maximize space while conserving nutrients and energy. Many farms even integrate renewable energy solutions, such as solar-powered or insulated farm containers, to reduce operating costs and environmental impact.

Food Security and Local Access

By producing food close to the point of consumption, container farms reduce the distance food travels. A farm-in-a-box shipping container can serve schools, grocery stores and restaurants within the same community. This reduces transportation emissions, shortens supply chains and strengthens food security. For institutions or nonprofits, container farms provide a reliable way to grow fresh produce in underserved areas.

Scalability and Commercial Opportunities

For entrepreneurs, container farms represent a clear business opportunity. Companies can start small with a single container hydroponic farm and expand into multiple container farms for sale as demand grows. Specialty products, such as herbs or microgreens, thrive in hydroponic shipping container farms, making it possible to supply local markets with premium goods.

Specialty Crop Cultivation: Gourmet Mushrooms

Beyond leafy greens and herbs, container systems are ideal for specialty crops like mushrooms. A mushroom container farm provides the perfect humidity and temperature for varieties such as oyster and lion’s mane mushrooms. Businesses interested in gourmet mushroom cultivation are finding that a mushroom shipping container offers predictable, scalable yields. Restaurants, grocers and local markets are increasingly sourcing from growing mushrooms in shipping containers because of their consistent quality and freshness.

Resilient, Climate-Smart Farming

Extreme weather and climate change have put a strain on traditional agriculture, but container agriculture offers resilience. Because they are protected and controlled environments, container farms are insulated from droughts, hail, floods or unexpected frosts. This makes them a dependable food source in regions facing environmental instability.

Applications Across Industries

Urban Farming: A shipping container grow pod can turn unused lots into food production sites.

Education: Schools and universities are using vertical farming in shipping containers to teach students about sustainability, technology and nutrition.

Hospitality: Hotels, resorts and restaurants benefit from having fresh herbs and greens grown on-site in a container vertical farm.

Animal Feed: A fodder farm or hydroponic farms for animal feed inside containers ensures reliable, nutrient-rich food for livestock.

Technology Driving the Movement

The success of container farming is powered by innovations in vertical hydroponics, LED lighting and automated monitoring systems. Advanced sensors track nutrient levels, while sensor-based climate control monitors and adjusts to keep plants thriving. This combination of container farming technology and renewable energy integration helps reduce labor and overhead while producing more food in less space.

The Economic Case for Container Farms

While many first hear about the environmental benefits of container farming, the economic advantages are equally important. A shipping container farm for sale can generate steady revenue for farmers, small businesses and nonprofits alike. Mushroom farms, in particular, are very profitable, with 70-percent profit margins common when selling a mix of wholesale and retail. By supplying local communities directly, operators cut out costly middlemen (and women) while keeping margins healthy. Additionally, with financing programs available to fund a container farm, the initial investment is more accessible than ever, especially when lease-to-own options are available.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Food Production

As demand for fresh, locally grown food continues to rise, container farming will play an even bigger role in shaping the agricultural landscape. Container hydroponics farms, mushroom production systems and modular vertical farms offer scalable solutions to global food insecurity. They provide a sustainable alternative that doesn’t just supplement traditional farming but enhances it, making food systems more resilient, efficient and adaptable.

Communities everywhere are beginning to embrace the concept of a farm in container agriculture model, not only because it addresses immediate needs like food security and water conservation, but also because it represents a long-term shift toward sustainable living.

CEO Rusty Walker Recognized As Small Biz Leader

We’re happy to announce that our CEO, Rusty Walker, is among the first class of Small Business Leader Award winners from the Denver Business Journal. Nominees were judged on the impacts they have as a leader of their organization and the business community. He was honored during a ceremony in Denver on May 22 and featured in a special section of the DBJ the following day.

CEO Rusty Walker pictured on stage holding his Small Business Leader Award and standing next to Denver Business Journal Publisher Keith Dennis and Aubrey Ebbs, executive vice president of FirstBank, on May 22, 2025 — FarmBox Foods CEO Rusty Walker, center, with Denver Business Journal Publisher Keith Dennis and Aubrey Ebbs, executive vice president of FirstBank, on May 22, 2025.

Anyone who knows Rusty knows that he is all about relationships, whether it’s with customers, partners, vendors, colleagues, advocates or friends. It’s those strong relationships — some of them decades old — that have served him well throughout his influential and distinguished career as CEO of FarmBox Foods and president of Absolute Logistics, among other positions. There are few (if any) more deserving of this recognition, and we collectively tip our hats to the captain of this FarmBox ship.

Statement on the Closure of Freight Farms

We recognize that the recent news about the bankruptcy filing by Freight Farms has resulted in a lot of discussion and speculation. We respectfully acknowledge the many years of hard work that their employees, stakeholders and customers put into finding a more sustainable path to produce healthy food. Freight Farms played a significant role in developing some of the first automated modular farm systems and putting the industry on the map.

Even with big changes in our sector, we firmly believe the future of our company and the controlled-environment agriculture industry is sound. FarmBox Foods has been a privately funded company since our inception in 2017, and that has allowed us to put the customer first.

We’ve spent considerable time aligning our operations with our core values: a relationship with each customer through the life of their farm, quality craftsmanship, user-friendly design, and a focus on helping feed communities. This model has proven resilient, and our commitment to supporting customers through high-quality service and solutions remains unchanged.

We’ve also followed an intentional and measured strategic growth plan that has served us well. We’ve continued to innovate and introduce new product lines, including a Gourmet Mushroom Farm that is a strong profit center for customers.

We’ve always considered Freight Farms an industry peer and we’re grateful for their contributions to advancing a technology that will continue to have positive real-world impacts for years to come.

If you are a Freight Farms customer or partner and have questions regarding potential support, partnerships or opportunities with FarmBox Foods, please direct all inquiries to the form on our website.

Ops Support Manager Named One of Colorado’s Leaders in Ag

Nick Brooks, operations support manager for FarmBox Foods, was named by the Denver Business Journal as one of the 20 leaders in agriculture for the whole state of Colorado. He was honored at a ceremony on March 20 at CSU-Spur.

Nick joined us as an intern in mid-2022 while he was still studying agricultural business at Colorado State University. He’s become a valuable part of our team, running farms on our campus in Sedalia, Colo., and training customers on how to grow successfully in our FarmBoxes. Congratulations, Nick! This is a well-deserved recognition!

We also want to mention that another member of FarmBox Foods’ extended family, Don Richards, was announced as one of the honorees this year, too. Don is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and, as an active member of the local farm bureau, he advocates for farms and farmers of all types. We’re immensely grateful to have his unwavering support. Congratulations, Don!

Moving the Needle on Hunger, One Container at a Time

Food production is undergoing a radical transformation, with controlled-climate farming in shipping containers emerging as an innovative solution for age-old challenges.

This method involves growing crops inside repurposed shipping containers equipped with advanced climate control, hydroponic systems and LED lighting. By creating a fully controllable environment, farmers can optimize conditions for year-round cultivation, regardless of weather patterns or geographical location. As traditional farming faces mounting challenges such as climate change, soil degradation and unpredictable weather events, container farming presents a promising alternative that can boost food security and enhance agricultural resilience for communities around the world. And FarmBox Foods is here for it.

“We really do have a unique opportunity to move the needle in a positive direction, and tackle these struggles that people have faced for generations,” said Rusty Walker, CEO of FarmBox Foods, a Colorado-based manufacturer that also supports customers in their growing. “Putting ag technology into the hands of people who want to make a difference in their community has an exponential benefit that lifts people up in ways that we couldn’t have imagined when this company was starting out.”

One of the key advantages of controlled-climate farming is its efficient use of resources. Unlike traditional agriculture, which requires vast amounts of land and water, container farms can operate in urban spaces or areas typically unsuitable for farming. These systems use up to 95% less water than conventional methods and do not rely on harmful pesticides or fertilizers, making them more environmentally sustainable. The vertical stacking of crops within containers maximizes space efficiency, allowing farmers to produce large yields in small areas. This efficiency is particularly valuable as urban populations continue to grow, increasing the demand for fresh, locally sourced food.

Another transformative aspect of container farming is its ability to decentralize food production. Bringing farms closer to consumers reduces the need for long-distance transportation, thereby minimizing carbon emissions and food spoilage. Communities in food deserts — areas with limited access to fresh produce — can benefit immensely from the presence of container farms, which offer a reliable and consistent supply of nutritious food. This localized approach not only supports regional food systems but also strengthens community resilience during supply chain disruptions.

Looking ahead, the wide-scale integration of smart technologies will further enhance the impact of container farming. Innovations in data analytics, artificial intelligence and automation will allow farmers to monitor and adjust growing conditions in real-time, optimizing yields and reducing operational costs. As more companies, municipalities and nonprofits invest in and adopt these advanced systems, container farming has the potential to become a cornerstone of sustainable food production, reshaping how we think about agriculture and our connection to the food we consume. Through adaptability, efficiency and innovation, this food production model offers a scalable solution to feeding a growing global population while at the same time protecting the planet’s precious resources.

— — —

Greenhouse alternatives, functional mushroom growing, mushroom tincture, vegetable farming unit, mushroom growing system, mushroom grow box, organic food production, stranded oil and gas asset usage, uses for flare gas, Conex growing container, zoo food production, grow your own feed, barley for grassfed beef, Wagyu cattle feed, how to spend esser funds, grow your own feed, cattle feed production, barley grass chicken feed, growing livestock fodder, barley grass production, off-grid farming, tree propagation, how to grow tree seedlings, DIY mushrooms, starting a farm, how to start hydroponic growing, how to start growing mushrooms, container startup business, solutions to food deserts, island agriculture practices, sustainable food production on islands, small-scale farming in island communities, resilient food systems for islands, island permaculture initiatives, hydroponics in island farming, local food sourcing on islands, sustainable urban agriculture, vertical farming techniques, small space farming ideas, urban homesteading practices, indoor farming innovations, container gardening in a city, hydroponic systems for urban farms, sustainable agriculture, water-efficient farming, eco-friendly farm, sustainable food production, organic farming for sustainability, and climate-smart agricultural practices

FarmBox Foods Now A Colorado Proud Member

We’re now officially a Colorado Proud member!! The Colorado Department of Agriculture developed Colorado Proud in 1999 to help consumers, restaurants and retailers identify and purchase Colorado food and agricultural products. More than 90% of Coloradans would buy more Colorado grown and produced products if they were available and identified as being from Colorado. The distinctive Colorado Proud logo helps residents of our state, other states and other countries easily identify Colorado food and agricultural products.

Consumers should keep an eye out for the Colorado Proud logo at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, garden centers and restaurants. By buying locally grown, raised and processed food and agricultural products, you’re receiving high-quality fresh products and helping Colorado’s economy, local farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and processors in your area!

Jason Brown Named Colorado Leader in Ag

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Jason Brown, our VP of Operations, is one of 22 people in the entire state of Colorado to be named as a Leader in Agriculture by the Denver Business Journal. Jason was employee No. 1 at FarmBox and he designed and built our very first container farm from scratch.

A general contractor by trade, Jason has dived into his leadership role and oversees the deployment of all of our farms, among many other responsibilities. We’re fortunate to have a hardworking, forward-thinking person like Jason on our team, and we appreciate all that he’s contributed to our company and the world.

Jason was honored alongside the other 21 recipients during a ceremony on March 28, 2024, at the CSU Spur Hydro Building.