Press Release – Autogrow has named Jonathan Morgan as its new Chief Technology Officer responsible for continuing development of their innovation utilizing the latest technology, plant biological science and artificial intelligence. “We are very pleased to welcome Jonathan to the Autogrow family and look forward to seeing him put his talents to use to deliver world class products and customer experiences,” says CEO Darryn Keiller. Jonathan brings to the role more than 18 years of commercial expertise in software and integrated technology solutions for customers. Leading teams in product development, continuous improvement and customer experience. His previous role was as Ventures…
Author: urbanagnews
Press Release – New York, NY – The CEA Food Safety Coalition, comprised of leading controlled environment leafy greens producers, recently completed the formation of its governance structure and is taking steps to accept new members. Controlled environment agriculture (“CEA”) is agricultural food production in environments that are indoors (such as in greenhouses and vertical farms) and controlled, providing crops with ideal growing conditions and protection from outdoor elements (such as weather and animals). The Coalition’s objective is to establish food safety standards, educate, and protect consumer health. The Coalition, a tax exempt 501(c)(6), recently filed its articles of incorporation,…
Empowering growers to make data-driven decisions for peak crop performance Press Release – MILTON – Grodan, part of the ROCKWOOL Group, has now launched e-Gro in the North American market. E-Gro is the ultimate software platform for data-driven Precision Growing, giving growers smarter insights into the greenhouse, allowing them to fully optimize cultivation. E-Gro was officially launched in the Netherlands during the HortiContact trade show in February of 2019 and was awarded the Concept Innovation Award at GreenTech in June 2019. The more you know, the better you grow In the greenhouse, the decisions you make today have a major…
Netled Oy, Finnish specialists in vertical farming systems and greenhouse lighting solutions, have signed a long-term framework agreement with Astwood Infrastructure to supply equipment for industrial scale vertical farms. The agreement covers an initial four such farms, based predominantly in the UK, to be delivered over the next three years and provides a framework for serving global customers. The total value of the agreement, including all project options, reaches over 10 million euros. The rapidly growing vertical farming market has been predicted to grow to 10 billion USD by 2025. Niko Kivioja, CEO, Netled Oy, confirmed: “We have been developing…
University of Florida Greenhouse Training Online courses Costing and Profitability September 2–30, 2019 Develop the skills to accurately estimate production cost and profit for your greenhouse or nursery business. Costing & Profitability is the fourth course of the 2019 Greenhouse Training Online courses program offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. This course is advanced level and it is designed for experienced, well-trained growers, or people with upper university education. The course is offered in English and Spanish, with instructors Paul Fisher, Alan Hodges, Kevin Athearn, and Rosanna Freyre at UF, Charlie Hall from Texas A&M University, and Bill…
International professionals across the supply chain come together to share initiatives and spur innovation. Press Release, 08/05/2019 (Miami, Fl.) – SDL, an independently organized event series, announced the second round of speakers to conduct presentations during the inaugural event this October 22-24, 2019, featuring CEOs, directors and other pioneering figures in sustainability strategy and agtech. The forum will take place inside the James L Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Featured topics include: long term sustainability across our supply chain sectors; soil health and its climate impact; the role of ground level farmers in a fast moving, innovative agricultural future. SDL…
By Joel L. Cuello, Ph.D. Originally published by the Association for Vertical Farming U.S. fast-food customers’ growing expectations for healthier, ethical and more environmentally sustainable options directly correspond with the values and produce that the Vertical Farming industry provides As the vertical farming industry in the United States grows, its market segments correspondingly diversify and widen. Aerofarms, Gotham Greens and Square Roots, for instance, all deliver their produce to local grocers as well as to Whole Foods Market. Plenty sells its leafy greens through the online retailer Good Eggs, San Francisco’s Faletti Foods as well as to fine-dining restaurants, including…
The answer to climate change could lie in the trees. Recent research at Switzerland’s Crowther Lab tells us how many trees would need to be planted to ultimately capture two-thirds of human-made carbon emissions. We’re joined by Professor Thomas Crowther from Crowther Lab in Zurich, Switzerland. As we continue to find better ways to make the most out of our resources, one way we can do more with less is by moving our farms indoors. With an update on the latest in urban ag news, we’re joined by Chris Higgins of Hort Americas who recently attended the Green Tech convention…
by Joel L. Cuello, Ph.D. Originally published by the Association for Vertical Farming The vertical farming industry will likely in turn ultimately enable NASA and other space programs to realize their future food production systems on the Moon, Mars and even beyond. As the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s first Lunar landing and moonwalk on 20 July 1969 is observed this year, it is fitting to recall the myriad innovation spinoffs that NASA’s space program had gifted mankind, ranging from the integrated circuit to computer microchips to satellite television to cordless tools to electric vehicles to freeze-dried food to memory foam, etc.…
Webinars The GLASE Webinar Series features the latest technological innovations and best practices in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry providing the participants an opportunity to discover new solutions and to connect with industry experts. The webinars are free. July 25 • 2-3 p.m. EDT – REGISTER HERESupplemental greenhouse lighting during propagationPresented by Erik Runkle and Roberto Lopez, Michigan State University Aug. 22 • 2-3 p.m. EDT – REGISTER HERENational greenhouse databasePresented by Erico Mattos, GLASE Sept. 26 • 2-3 p.m. EDT – REGISTER HEREHumidity control in greenhouses and other indoor plant environmentsPresented by Nadia Sabeh, Dr. Greenhouse, Inc Oct.…
A negative situation is brewing in Canada that could spread across borders and set back aquaponics’ progress worldwide. CanadaGAP, a government-recognized food safety certification program, stated that it will withdraw CanadaGAP certification for Aquaponic production effective March 31, 2020. Unfortunately, the decision appears to be based on faulty and/or incomplete information: “New information has come to light related to potential chemical hazards (antibiotics, for example) associated with aquaponic production. Further, there may be potential for leafy greens to uptake possible contaminants found in the water from the aquaculture production. Unfortunately, peer-reviewed scientific studies are limited at this time.” This decision…
A webinar series focused on greenhouse-grown industrial hempWhen: Thursdays, July 18 – August 8, 2019Time: 12:30 – 2 p.m. EST Heidi Lindberg, Michigan State University ExtensionIndustrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is cannabis cultivated to produce fiber, grain, biomass, or non-intoxicating medicinal compounds, such as cannabidiol (CBD). Recently, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production of industrial hemp in all 50 states. Therefore, many greenhouse and nursery producers are now looking at industrial hemp as a new opportunity for their businesses. Join Michigan State University Extension for a webinar series to cover the basics of growing industrial hemp and considerations for growers considering entering…
University of Florida Greenhouse Training Online courses Advanced Nutrient Management Train yourself, or your staff, to make better crop management decisions by learning in depth aspects of plant nutrition management. Advanced Nutrient Management is the third course of the 2019 Greenhouse Online Training program offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. This course is advanced level and designed for an experienced, well-trained grower, or upper university level. Topics covered include multiple aspect of pH management, how to formulate your own fertilizer from individual salts, and diagnose nutritional problems and take corrective actions. The course is offered in English and…
Hort Americas is the sole distributor of Current, powered by GE horticulture products to North American customers, including those in the booming regulated cannabis growing industry. Cultivate 2019 is also an industry showcase for Current’s Arize Element Top Light horticulture solution, the industry’s first one-to-one LED replacement for 1000W HPS lighting. COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 13, 2019 – Current, powered by GE today announced Hort Americas as its sole distributor for LED horticulture lighting solutions in North America. The news is being featured as part of Hort Americas’ exhibit (#3317) at the Cultivate conference, where Current is showcasing its new Arize…