80 Acres Farms and Soli Organic merge to create $200 million vertical farming company

Indoor farming startup 80 Acres Farms has merged with Soli Organic, one of the largest U.S. growers of organic herbs, in a deal that will create a company with annual revenues of nearly $200 million. The combined business will operate under the 80 Acres Farms name and retain its headquarters in Hamilton, Ohio. It will employ about 1,400 people, reflecting the addition of Soli’s 1,000-strong workforce. Financial terms of the merger were not disclosed.

Mike Zelkind, co-founder and chief executive of 80 Acres, will continue to lead the company. He said the deal gives the group “real scale” and a nationwide footprint, allowing it to serve more than 17,000 retail locations across the U.S., including Kroger, Walmart, H-E-B and Food Lion.

Virginia-based Soli Organic, which has operated for 35 years, grows culinary herbs such as basil, cilantro and mint using a soil-based system. Its portfolio will complement 80 Acres’ pesticide-free lettuce, spinach, microgreens, tomatoes and herbs, produced with renewable electricity and water-efficient technology.

The deal marks 80 Acres’ fourth acquisition since 2024. Earlier this year, it bought three vertical farms and intellectual property from Kalera Inc., and previously acquired Israeli ag-tech firm Plantae Biosciences and the Mother Raw salad dressing business.

Soli’s assets include a 140,000-square-foot, $50 million indoor farm in San Antonio, Texas, opened in 2024. Combined with 80 Acres’ five existing farms, the group will operate seven production sites nationwide.