World's Deepest Farming Study Begins 1.1km Underground in UK Lab

Researchers have begun growing crops more than a kilometre beneath the surface at a pioneering UK underground laboratory.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council's Boulby Underground Laboratory, located in a working mine off the coast of Whitby, is now hosting the world's deepest vertical farm. The 12-month study will gather the first real-world evidence on whether underground farming can operate at commercial scale.

The naturally stable environment underground could drastically reduce energy costs for heating and ventilation, making food production more sustainable. Researchers hope the project could unlock a model to transform other disused UK mines into food production hubs.

The facility, best known for dark matter research, is now proving its unique environment has unexpected benefits for agriculture. The study brings together cutting-edge commercial technology and academic expertise to test crop viability at record depth.