When the author, a Columbia professor, set out to solve America's food, water, and energy crises, he didn't just think big, he thought up. His stroke of genius, the vertical farm, has excited scientists, architects, and politicians around the globe. These multi-story intensely managed indoor farms, grown inside skyscrapers, are capable of producing traditional greenhouse crops, as well as pigs and fowl, year-round. They would provide solutions to many of the serious problems the world is facing.

Remodeling nature -- Yesterday's agriculture -- Today's agriculture -- Tomorrow's agriculture -- The vertical farm: advantages -- The vertical farm: form and function -- The vertical farm: social benefits -- The vertical farm: alternate uses -- Food fast-forwarded.