Freight Farms has customers operating container farms in 49 U.S. states and 34 countries — from city centers to deserts in the Middle East to the snowy Canadian wilderness. A typical Freight Farms unit costs about $150,000, including the install, Friedman said.

The main drawback of shipping container farms is the up-front costs of purchasing one. A new farm will likely cost you well over $75,000, with top of the line models selling for $149,000. These farms function well and are well developed and researched, but that price tag can scare away those wanting to get involved.