Farming in the future

Between the twin perils of drought and deluge, farmers around the world are facing more challenges than ever before.  The El Nino we are presently experiencing is decimating crops in South Florida with non-stop rain.  Rain in California is simultaneously welcome and worrying as it prevents timely planting for the spring and summer crops.   Areas in Australia are reeling from weeks of triple digit temperatures and no rain.  What this means for agriculture is not clear, but some growers are exploring indoor growing as a possible cure for climate disruptions.  In temperature controlled and artificially lighted warehouses spinach and lettuce crops are now being grown.  While the economics are not yet competitive with outdoor growing, as the climate disruptions grow, we may see more and more growers, especially in urban areas turn to man made growing environments.  The ramifications for our future are huge and so far unexamined.