Association is optimistic that a new leader will be named by Cultivate’16. March 15, 2016 – Press Release David Savoia, former interim president & CEO of AmericanHort, has stepped down from this position to pursue other priorities, according to a press release from the horticulture association. AmericanHort is currently operating under the leadership of Sherry L. Johnson, AmericanHort vice president of knowledge and business advancement and interim CEO, as well as the team of vice presidents including Craig Regelbrugge, senior VP of industry advocacy and research, and Alicia Rittenhouse, VP of member and strategic engagement. “We are grateful for David’s…
Author: urbanagnews
CropKing is a supplier of quality hydroponic growing supplies and equipment. But more than just supplying the best equipment for growing, it is important to educate both new growers and potential growers about the industry that they are venturing into. A good understanding of what is involved in the growing process, as well as the options that are available gives a potential customer the ability to make smart decisions. What Information is Covered in the Grower Workshop? An introduction to greenhouse and hydroponic systems and plants as well as the cropping practices that take place in these systems are…
In celebration of its 20th successful year of trading, Coventry-based HydroGarden Wholesale Supplies Ltd, has embarked on a long term sponsorship of Zuuranys Primêr, a primary school near Kareedouw, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. HydroGarden employee Daniel van Straaten approached the board of directors on behalf of the school where his mother is the principal to find out if they could offer any support. Anna van Straaten started teaching at the School in 1991 and was promoted to principal in 2003. It offers free education to 54 children from age five to 13 and has three full-time teachers…
Should greenhouse hydroponics or vertical farm hydroponics be allowed to be organically certified? Thank you to all who have participated in our poll! A ton of you did! Here are the results as of March 15, 2016 This poll is now closed.
AeroFarms, an indoor, aeroponic farm transforming agriculture as we know it has grown more than 250 varieties of leafy greens and herbs with unparalleled consistency and flavor, selling to a wide range of customers including chefs and restaurants. NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 08, 2016 AeroFarms, an indoor, aeroponic farm transforming agriculture as we know it, has grown more than 250 varieties of leafy greens and herbs with unparalleled consistency and flavor, selling to a wide range of customers including chefs and restaurants. Based in Newark, NJ, AeroFarms serves the NY metro area, using its own unique aeroponic growing system…
Choosing a Hydroponic Substrate: Tips From the Pros Hort Americas has partnered with Upstart Farmers – Bright Agrotech to offer a free webinar on choosing a hydroponic substrate! Knowing what your hydroponic system needs can be hard. To help you out, Dr. Nate from Bright Agrotech, Chris Higgins, and Tyler Baras from HortAmericas lent their experience and knowledge in choosing a hydroponic substrate. Hydroponic medium/substrate selection is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a grower. Substrate selection effects germination, growth rates, and operation costs. Each substrate option has unique benefits and limitations. We’re joined by the experts at Hort Americas to…
The California Giant Foundation announces several exciting changes to Tour de Fresh in year three WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 1, 2016) – This year’s Tour de Fresh cycling event, presented by The California Giant Foundation and supporting Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools, is heading back to the west coast. The three-day ride leading up to PMA Foodservice Conference will begin July 26 in Napa Valley and end July 28 in Monterey, Calif. Additionally, Tour de Fresh announced a second event – a one-day, 100k ride in Dallas/Fort Worth. Tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1, 2016, this event will also benefit the…
Thank you if you participated in our poll on “Which presidential candidate do you think will be best best for the future of agriculture?” The results are in and here they are! Seems like Bernie is the ag favorite! Hillary and Trump are runner-ups!
LAS VEGAS, NV. (February 3, 2016) — Indoor agriculture is one of the fastest-growing parts of global farming as it aids in tackling issues of drought and offers local fresh produce year-round to consumers. Indoor Ag-Con – the US indoor agriculture industry’s leading conference – will be hosting its 4th Annual Indoor Ag-Con in Las Vegas, NV on April 5-6, 2016 to discuss the prospects for this technology-rich industry. The two-day seminar will be hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and is tailored toward corporate executives from the technology, investment, vertical farming, greenhouse growing, and food and beverage industries, along with…
LEDs show potential as cost-saving alternative to overhead high-pressure sodium lamps AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – To satisfy increasing consumer demand for locally grown, fresh tomatoes during off-seasons, greenhouse tomato growers often need to rely on supplemental lighting. Tomato growers are looking to light-emitting diodes (LEDs), favored for their energy-saving potential, as an alternative to high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) in greenhouse operations. A recent study offers new information about the feasibility of using LEDs in greenhouse tomato operations. Michael Dzakovich, Celina Gómez, and Cary Mitchell from the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University…
The University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) 2016 Short Course will focus on Controlled Environment Agriculture for food production within traditional rural and nontraditional urban farms, with special concerns for water, energy use and environmental stewardship. The 15th annual Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course will be held from March 20 – 25, 2016 at the beautiful Westward Look Resort in Tucson, AZ. New to the 2016 course are specific half-day sessions on “Indoor Growing” and “Lighting for Growing Crops in CEA.” In addition to the new sessions, the short course will feature a comprehensive program…
If you missed the e-GRO webinar “Managing Nutrient Solutions for Hydroponic Leafy Greens and Herbs” on Jan. 22, 2016, which was sponsored by Hort Americas, you can still view the webinar on YouTube. Hydroponic greens and herbs are produced in systems with recirculating nutrient solutions. In order to maintain productive and quality crops, it is important to know how to properly maintain the nutrient solutions. Dr. Chris Currey at Iowa State University and Dr. Neil Mattson at Cornell University discuss strategies for managing pH and EC, formulating nutrient solutions and identifying common nutrient disorders. Part 1: Common production systems, pH and EC management Presented…
Hort Americas offers several Riococo coir substrate products. Two of those substrates recently received OMRI certification for use in organic crop production. Riococo Coir Starter Blocks allow growers to propagate easier and faster to produce healthy plants organically. These biodegradable blocks are made from a 100 percent coir fiber compressed disc packed in biodegradable cellulose paper. The blocks have excellent water holding capacity. Equal distribution of water throughout the blocks ensures optimum management of the air and water balance and the equal distribution of nutrient solutions. The blocks’ natural coir fibers retain water and keep roots well-aerated. The blocks’ open structure is maintained…
Click here to download the issue. Urban Ag News Issue 12 | January 2016 Urban Ag News’ Issue 12 cover story on Westland Orchids and Westland Produce focuses on the father-son team of Jerry and David Van Wingerden. Find out how their companies have evolved to stay relevant and profitable as the horticulture industry has changed. If you are interested in how the international controlled environment agriculture industries are developing, be sure to read columnist Eri Hayashi’s special report on Japan’s plant factories and the Q&A article with National Taiwan University professor Wei Fang on his country’s plant factories. If you’re a fanatic about providing…