By David Kuack for GLASE (Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering Do you have questions about the optimum light levels for growing controlled environment crops? What about which grow lights would work best for your crops and production facility? More importantly, do you want to know how much is it going to cost you to operate those grow lights? These questions and many more will be answered during the first Plant Lighting Short Course. This six-week virtual event is scheduled for Oct. 14 to Nov. 18, 2021. The Short Course was developed through a partnership of the Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium, OptimIA and LAMP.…
Author: urbanagnews
Watsonville, Calif. – Fresh berry leader Driscoll’s has partnered with Think Beyond Plastic to launch an inaugural Agricultural Plastics Innovation Challenge, which aims to stimulate new recycling processes and the development of alternatives to conventionally used field plastics. Innovators, entrepreneurs, research institutes, start-ups and institutions are encouraged to submit applications for innovative solutions, and winners will have the opportunity to pilot their innovations in a commercial environment. A dedicated Ag Plastics Innovation portal is available for submissions with a deadline of Nov. 30, 2021. The use of plastic in berry production has proven to have significant benefits, such as improved yield, reduced food loss and improved food…
Are you interested in growing crops with aquaponics? Join the University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center for the Online Aquaponic Intensive Workshop – October 19th& 20th via Zoom. This two-day event, taught by Dr. Matthew Recsetar, is perfect for those using or wanting to use small to medium-scale systems. Both sessions will be packed with tons of critical information to ensure your operation will be the most effective. Sign up today to get access to numerous lecture materials, personal question follow-ups, a certificate of completion, and tons of knowledge! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Limited seats are available. For more…
Managing the nutrient solution of hydroponic crops can be much more challenging than container grown crops because: 1) hydroponic solutions are often captured and reused which can, overtime, lead to deficiencies of some elements and excess of others; and 2) pH changes much more quickly in hydroponics than in container-grown plants. Hydroponic growers should monitor nutrient solution pH and EC daily as well as periodically have their nutrient solution tested by a laboratory to make sure nutrient supply meets plant needs. Monitoring plants to look for visual symptoms is another tool that can be used to detect nutrient deficiencies. Lettuce…
Our last Greenhouse Training Online courses for 2021! Weed Management Course Earn CEUs An intermediate level course that teaches all aspects of weed management in nurseries and greenhouses, including weed identification, developing herbicide programs, and the latest non-chemical methods of weed control that work. Rated 4.5 out of 5 by grower participants. Hydroponic Vegetable Production Course An intermediate level course where you will learn to manage different hydroponics systems, as well as the fundamentals of climate, water, nutrition, and plant health in these systems. The course also teaches business management and food safety. Rated 4.3 out of 5 by grower…
Amsterdam – Today the winners of the GreenTech Innovation Awards were announced at the opening of GreenTech Live & Online. The winners out of a total of 20 entries are: Corvus drones BV with Corvus Drones in the category ‘Concept’ and Van Iperen International with GreenSwitch Original in the category ‘Innovation’. Chairwoman Liselotte de Vries (TU Delft AgTech Institute) explains: “The winners teamed up with other expert partners and have a system approach, which is key for future circularity and upcycling solutions to hold commercially and to drive meaningful impact. It’s a strength that they do not look at the greenhouse…
FLORIDA – Two University of Florida scientists have joined a national research effort to promote phosphorus sustainability across the United States. Together they will work under the funding auspices of the National Science Foundation-Science and Technology Center (NSF-STC) in the newly established Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS). Jehangir Bhadha, an assistant professor of soil and water sciences at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Everglades Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS EREC), and Sandra Guzmán, an agricultural engineer and assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS IRREC) have joined the STEPS center…
This sets the stage for the company to deliver next level brand growth, building off its 25-year history (Mona, Utah, Aug 11th, 2021) Houweling US Holdings, Inc. is launching the Longvine Growing Co as the company rebrands and resets for the next evolution of company growth. The rebranding project was initiated in early 2020 as the Houweling Family exited its ownership position from the US operations. An exhaustive search was conducted to find a world-class agency that could unlock new potential through rebranding, while capturing the essence of the valuable team of people who have collectively contributed to the company’s…
Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) are among the most damaging greenhouse pests especially onstrawberries. Adult thrips are slender insects about 1mm long. Thrips feed by piercing the cells and sucking out their contents leading to silver/gray patches. Thrips especially feed on growing points and flower buds leading to distortion of these tissues as they develop. Greenhouse strawberry crops are sensitive to thrips damage which can cause severe plant damage and unmarketable fruit. This article will introduce the issue of thrips in strawberries, describe common symptomology, present an initial framework for integrated pest management, and conclude with some additional resources. Read…
iUNU has completed the acquisition of Artemis, forwarding its mission to provide the most comprehensive technology powering the controlled environment agriculture industry. SEATTLE, Washington, September 27, 2021 — iUNU, the leading AI agtech company, today announced its acquisition of Artemis, the leading enterprise Cultivation Management Platform (CMP). Together, the two companies offer some of the most widely used technologies in the indoor agriculture industry. iUNU’s acquisition of Artemis marks its latest step in driving the future of controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The two mission-driven companies are joining forces to accelerate their market share and expand the market. Both iUNU and…
Her Excellency Mariam Al Mheiri will open the briefing, which will discuss how government leaders, investors, technology companies, food brands and farm operators can collaborate to establish an effective agri-food innovation ecosystem and a food-secure future in the GCC. The inaugural Middle East Agri-Food Briefing will bring together business and innovation leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman to reveal how new investments and partnerships are transforming domestic food supplies, diversifying local economies, and attracting new companies to the region from start-ups to scale-ups. Commenting on the opportunity for the region, HE Mariam Al…
The winners of the 2021 Vertical Farming World Awards were announced on 21 September in an online awards ceremony during the 2021 Vertical Farming World Congress. The inaugural awards were organised by food and drink experts Zenith Global, with support from Headline Sponsor Cultivatd and Category Sponsor Light Science Technologies. Celebrating excellence and innovation across the global vertical farming industry, 18 winners have been awarded across the 16 categories. The Winners Best Crop Innovation 80 Acres Farms – 80 Acres Farms Best Crop Enhancement Moleaer Inc – Nanobubbles Best Yield Improvement Moleaer Inc – Nanobubbles Best Lighting Development Fluence by OSRAM…
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2021 /CNW/ – Village Farms International, Inc. (“Village Farms” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: VFF) (TSX: VFF) today unveiled new corporate branding and launched its new corporate website at www.villagefarms.com. Village Farms International, Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Village Farms International, Inc.) Village Farms’ new corporate branding embodies the Company’s evolution over the last four years to a vertically integrated plant-based consumer products company, targeting high-growth, large-market opportunities in North America and around the world, with a specific focus on cannabinoids and related health products. Village Farms is building a family of brands that improve life’s journey for the wellbeing…
Organizers of next week’s Vertical Farming World Congress on 20-22 September online are confident that recent developments mean the sector is about to expand even faster than anticipated. “Up to now, pioneering companies have been concentrating on quality, systems and efficiency,” commented Richard Hall, Chairman of specialist independent food and drink consultancy Zenith Global. “This year has seen two fundamental changes. One is an acceleration in funding for geographic expansion. The other is a widening realisation that existing complex supply chains are at underlying risk from multiple forces, such as climate change, covid and Brexit. “Our Congress is designed to…