LettUs Grow, a climate-crisis-fighting agritech company founded by University of Bristol alumni, has introduced its environmentally-friendly methods to a prison setting for the first time in the UK. The trial is part of a strategy to aid rehabilitation by empowering prisoners and helping them develop new skills to reintegrate back into society.

LettUs Grow was founded in 2015 and joined SETsquared Bristol’s incubation programme in 2017. The seed for LettUs Grow was sown in response to the growing threat of climate change and global food insecurity by developing a vertical and indoor farming system that grows plants suspended in the air using a mist to deliver nutrients. This provides consistent, climate-resilient year-round harvests without using fertile land or pesticides and using 95% less water.

The company recently delivered an aeroponic container farm, called DROP & GROW, to HM Prison Hewell in Worcestershire where prisoners will be introduced to indoor farming practices to gain experience in a fast-growing industry and train in horticulture, with the aim of helping them secure full-time employment upon release.

Charlie Guy, CEO of LettUs Grow, remarked that he was excited to be involved in a project that would have both an environmental and social impact. He said: “In the first half of this year alone, an estimated £22 million worth of fruit and vegetables has been wasted directly because of workforce shortages in agriculture.

“The programme we’re supporting at HMP Hewell, trains people in highly skilled work in a growing industry. Unlike typical agricultural work, indoor farming employment is much more stable as it’s year-round and not ruled by the seasons. It’s a unique development activity for prisoners, providing an introduction to an industry where there are good opportunities for career development, whilst contributing to their own food production in the prison as well.”

The main purpose of the farm is training rather than food production. The salad, vegetables and herbs produced in the container farm will be incorporated into prisoner meals. The prisoners will learn plant husbandry skills, how aeroponics works, how to use a farm management software platform, indoor farm standard operating procedures, as well as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Food Safety.

They will also be taught how to grow plants with state-of-the-art ultrasonic aeroponic technology. Aeroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, in a nutrient-rich mist.

Prisons Minister Stuart Andrew MP said: “This innovative scheme reflects our drive to equip prisoners with the cutting-edge practical skills needed to gain employment and play a positive role in society.”

Ralph Lubowski, Governor of HMP said: “I am delighted to partner with LettUs Grow in this fantastic initiative, which will give our prisoners the opportunity, confidence and training to turn their lives around.

Vertical farming is an innovative, emerging industry and this partnership highlights our commitment to ensuring that prisoners are skilled up to find work on release.”