Japan plant factory association (JPFA) is delighted to inform that its 138th workshop, online viewing, has just started and will be available until July 15th at 13:00 (JST). The sessions include the presentation of 80 Acres Farms on tomato production in PFAL/indoor vertical farms, in addition to in-depth discussion with JPFA, mainly on the difference between tomato production in PFAL and greenhouse, a survey report on the impact of COVID-19 by JPFA and a lively panel discussion on the production/hygiene management, future perspective and market creation, etc. with leading plant factory companies from Japan and China, such as 808 Factory,…
Author: urbanagnews
Press Release – Communication on when and how much to irrigate is critical in the production of high quality, uniform plants. The University of Florida IFAS Extension has developed short and simple videos in English and Spanish (“The 1 to 5 Moisture Scale for Container Substrates” / “La Escala de Humedad de 1 a 5 para Sustratos de Macetas”) on its YouTube channel (tinyurl.com/UFGTO) that define the 1 to 5 moisture scale used to manage irrigation of container plants. One of the most challenging aspects in irrigation management is to communicate when and how much to water. How do you…
This comprehensive presentation includes all basics of selecting LED lighting for plant production and the update of recent light quality research at the Runkle Lab at MSU, discussing how lettuce crop responds to blue, green and far-red which affect morphological extension growth. Indoor Ag Science Café is an outreach program of a project OptimIA, funded by USDA SCRI grant program (http://www.scri-optimia.org). The café forums are designed to serve as precompetitive communication platform among scientists and indoor farming professionals. The Café presentations are available from YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwIeYlKrzH_uppaf2SwMIg4JyGb7LRXC Contact Chieri Kubota at the Ohio State University (Kubota.10@osu.edu) to be a Café member to participate.
Multiple USDA representatives assured the Aquaponics Association that aquaponics operations producing qualified crops are eligible for financial support through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The Deadline to apply is August 28, 2020. Growers are also eligible for Small Business Administration Programs. By Thomas Wheet and Brian Filipowich, originally published by the Aquaponics Association The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the American agricultural industry in unprecedented ways. Farmers have watched harvests spoil, been forced to destroy crops, and have euthanized livestock due to the shifts in consumer behavior. The USDA created the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to assist farms that have suffered economically due to…
Connecting Technology & Business to Create Healthy, Resilient Food Systems The Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit is going virtual! This year’s summit will be live online on July 23, 2020, providing an essential opportunity for the industry to meet, network and exchange ideas at this critical time for our industry. The world’s leading farm operators, food retailers and investors will present live, before hosting virtual discussion groups on the emerging trends and technologies that will shape your business as we emerge from the current crisis into a redesigned food system: Key Themes: Finding Growth in Crisis: Responding to a Rapidly Changing…
Blackberries ripen in Florida in May and June, so it’s an ideal time to be thinking about how to grow more of them. Those who produce blackberries in Florida want to increase their yield, and UF/IFAS faculty want to help farmers boost their output. Unfortunately, a UF/IFAS team also knows that those who grow blackberries face barriers in the market. Like all crops in Florida, blackberries can grow better if they improve their tolerance to the heat, humidity and wet climate of the state. Zhanao Deng, a professor of environmental horticulture at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center…
A new web app is available to calculate the light intensity and photoperiod required to achieve a certain daily light integral for plant growth for an electric light source, such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes). In the app, you enter any two of the three items to calculate the third unknown value. For example, enter light intensity and photoperiod to calculate daily light integral. The English/Spanish language app was designed by Dr. Paul Fisher of University of Florida IFAS Extension and Dr. Bruce MacKay of Thomas Baine Ltd. You can access the app here: backpocketgrower.org/constantlightlevels.asp. “Growers often do these lighting calculations…
Announcing the 2020 Bold Open Reverse Pitch PRESS RELEASE – The Bold Open virtual reverse pitch collaboration will flip the traditional pitch to find innovative solutions to food and ag industry challenges. The Bold Open is powered by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, in partnership with MBOLD, and in collaboration with 18 other Minnesota food and agriculture entities. Through the Bold Open, Minnesota companies will solicit innovative solutions from entrepreneurs, researchers, and businesses from around the world to address their specific industry challenges. A live, interactive web-based event on July 27 will bring together innovative industry leaders from across Minnesota to discuss…
Train yourself and your staff to make better decisions about fertilizer and plant nutrient management. Nutrient Management 1 is the second course of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training courses offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. This course is intermediate level and designed for people with some experience or entry university level, who are in production, technical, or sales role for greenhouse and nursery crops. Topics covered include common nutrient problems, essential nutrients, fertilizer types, growing media, and testing (soil, nutrient solution and tissue). The course is offered in English and Spanish. The course runs from July 6 to…
Written by Blaire O’Neal, PhD, San Diego University I am excited to share the survey for my research project, “Systems Analysis of Hydroponic, Aquaponic, and Aeroponic Food Production in the United States. This research is funded by the United State Department of Agriculture and administered by myself, Dr. Blaire O’Neal, a postdoctoral fellow at San Diego State University. This research seeks to evaluate the current state of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic urban farms in the United States, as well as its opportunities and barriers to their continued growth. We hope that gathering data directly from participants in businesses and organizations…
Willo’s personalized cultivation and delivery service brings the highest quality plant produce on Earth directly to consumers Press Release — Willo, a state-of-the-art indoor vertical farming startup, debuted a brand new direct-to-consumer delivery program in San Jose to provide the highest quality custom produce experience in the Bay Area. Founded by brothers Samuel and John Bertram, Willo’s personalized cultivation and delivery service connects consumers directly to their own plot in Willo’s local vertical farm. Willo’s substantially automated farm grows the highest quality plant produce that is uniquely safe, delicious and nutritious year-round without pesticides, herbicides or GMOs. South Bay Area residents will…
The National Science Foundation-funded research project entitled “Strategic FEW (food, energy, water) and Workforce Investments to Enhance Viability of Controlled Environment Agriculture in Metropolitan Areas” (CEA Viability in Metro Areas) seeks to help the CEA industry develop a skilled workforce that will allow it to scale. As part of this project, Anu Rangarajan’s team has conducted research to understand the workforce/labor needs of the broader hydroponics industry (greenhouse and indoor vertical farms). The project has surveyed dozens of stakeholders. In 2019, twelve industry members were brought together in an intensive Designing a Curriculum (DACUM) workshop whereby participants reflected on the skills sets…
Amsterdam, 12 June 2020 – GreenTech Americas is moving from 25 – 27 August 2020 to 16 – 18 March 2021. The current health situation in Mexico, due to COVID-19, does not provide the optimal conditions to organize GreenTech’s first show in Querétaro. RAI Amsterdam and Tarsus, as organizers, recognize the power of face to face interaction as the best environment for successful business. Due to measures put in place by the authorities, many travelers are still confronted with travel restrictions. A new date has been set to maintain the international reach and quality of the event. Opportunities and potentialGreenTech Americas in…
The new study reveals exciting findings for both consumers and vertical farming industry practices. PRESS RELEASE — Today, technology-driven vertical farming company Kalera announced the publication of a new study, “Effect of End-of-Production High-Energy Radiation on Nutritional Quality of Indoor-Grown Red-Leaf Lettuce,” conducted in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The Kalera-sponsored study found that by using high-energy LED lighting prior to harvest, red-leaf lettuce significantly increases the production of antioxidants and especially of anthocyanins, compounds in plants that may offer health-promoting benefits by protecting cells from free radicals — exciting news for health-conscious consumers. By only…