Photos from Ny SunWorks Youth Conference on June 2, 2016. Read the full article in Issue 14!
Author: urbanagnews
More than 700 agricultural leaders from across the country will gather in Virginia Beach September 20-22 to identify ways to secure the future success of our nation’s small farms and ranches, numbers of which have been dwindling for decades, while the number of very large farms has seen rapid growth. The conference specifically focuses on small farmers because of the vital role they play in the national economy, environmental sustainability, local (agro-) biodiversity, and landscape and cultural heritage. Yet they face unique challenges that set them apart from mid-size or large farming operations. According to the USDA, a small farm…
Recent tests conducted by Rutgers University and Utah State University confirm the Fluence VYPRx PLUS lighting system has achieved an efficacy 21 percent greater than the best technologies in a previous study; breaks 2.0 micromoles per joule barrier. AUSTIN, Texas, April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Fluence Bioengineering, a photobiology design and manufacturing company, has developed an indoor and greenhouse lighting system with an efficacy above 2.0 micromoles per joule (µmol/J) according to replicate, collaborative testing conducted by Rutgers University and Utah State University. The testing found that the VYPRx PLUS had a 21 percent and 58 percent greater efficacy than the…
The Valoya C-series is complemented with the C75 DIM, a 1475 mm (5 feet) model in addition to the previously launched 1200 and 1800 mm models (4 and 6 feet). C-series fixtures are ideal for growth rooms and chambers, vertical farms and other demanding applications, where high IP rating and high light intensity is needed. The ultra slim design of C-series allows installation in a limited space and the fixture lengths are ideal for replacing 1200 and 1500 mm fluorescent tubes. The dimmable C-series fixtures are available in all Valoya standard spectra for various applications including research with artificial daylight,…
PRESS RELEASE During last month’s GreenTech 2016, the Priva De-Leafing Robot was introduced to the market. This robot is the first product, worldwide, that provides growers with an economically viable alternative for manual de-leafing of tomato crops. Three major growers from the consortium involved in the development, Lans, Prominent and Vereijken Kwekerijen expressed their commitment and will start working with the robot. The Priva De-Leafing Robot is the first in a series of solutions for automated crop labour in horticulture. Labour expenses are a particularly large part of the operational costs, but that’s not all. Labour can be unpredictable and…
American Hydroponics of Arcata and the Humbolt County Office of Education are partnering to build a high production year-round hydroponic vegetable production facility in Eureka. Construction is currently underway at the Redwood Acres Fairground on Harris St. for a 4,320 square foot state of the art hydroponic farm that will provide high quality, pesticide free food for the local community. American Hydroponics, a world wide leader in Hydroponic technology, has been operating in Humbolt County since 1984 and has growing facilities in over 60 countries worldwide. The facility will be operated by the Humbolt County Office of Education. http://americanhydroponics.com/
Orange County Business Journal honors Urban Produce at 17th Annual Awards Gala Irvine, CA, June 2016 – Urban Produce received the prestigious 2016 Small Business Award at the 17th Annual Family Owned Business Awards presented by the Orange County Business Journal on Tuesday, June 21. Nearly 300 guests gathered for the annual award ceremony which honored numerous family owned businesses. Urban Produce is a family owned operation with a total of 9 employees; growing 16 acres of USDA-certified organic produce while using atmospheric water generation at their indoor vertical farm in Irvine, California. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized alongside so many…
PRESS RELEASE DENVER, CO – Hydropods, Inc. has announced that the Hydropods Environment Controller and Hydropods Nutrient Controller are now shipping to customers. These cloud-based Wi-Fi Controllers enable growers to see, monitor and control a grow operation from anywhere using their Smartphone. They are designed for use in at-home hydroponics and for small to medium-sized greenhouse and indoor agriculture growers. The Hydropods Environment Controller monitors humidity, temperature, and CO2. With two included Remote Power Blocks, it can wirelessly control two devices, such as lighting, air conditioning, humidifier, or an exhaust fan. The system can be expanded with additional modules available…
Enriched Biochar Biology Blend, a new substrate additive designed to increase yields was launched in June to coincide with the first day of the Green Tech trade event in Amsterdam. Carbon Gold’s Biology Blend is an easy-to-use growing additive suitable for conventional, hydroponic and organic cultivation systems. The product is a unique blend of biochar, bacteria, fungi and trace elements that boosts yields by improving plant health and increasing the efficiency of nutrient uptake. The product has been tested in both organic soils and a range of conventional substrates including coir, Rockwool and peat by UK and European growers over…
Agra Tech, Inc. in Pittsburg, CA, is a manufacturer of commercial greenhouse systems. They’ve recently unveiled several new High Quality videos that tell the company’s story through the words of its customers and narrated by its own employees. Agra Tech’s Owner John Pound did a voiceover for one of the videos and enjoyed seeing the production process firsthand. “We learned about what they (our customers) think of us, which is always good for any company to know.” Anita Pound at Agra Tech is proud of the video series and loved working with long-time producer, Mike Abinanti, she said. “Working with…
PRESS RELEASE Singapore – Nuetech is proud to announce the launch their new product – The SATURN M8RW 16W LED grow light. The SATURN “High Bay” LED grow light has been designed, developed and built in-house by Nuetech. This is their second category of lighting product from the MERCURY series. The SATURN LED grow light has been designed for different growing applications needs and is suitable for green houses, high ceiling indoor vertical farms, and plant growth with a higher PAR value to activate efficient photosynthesis activities, including plants with a thicker canopy requiring more power to penetrate and reach.…
Michigan State University Extension is now offering the summer session for the non-credit, pre-recorded Greenhouse and Horticultural Lighting online course. The course, which is to be completed between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2016, is intended for greenhouse and ornamental plant growers and others interested in learning about the fundamental concepts about how plants respond to light quality, quantity and duration. It provides introductory to moderately-challenging content based on experiments performed at MSU and Purdue University. The three hours of pre-recorded lecture and video demonstrations are divided into seven units. The first and second units cover the properties of light…
Small farmers are turning to aquaponics and hydroponics in droves. These have a proven record of safe, pesticide-free production. And far from being “sterile,” studies overwhelmingly show beneficial, disease-fighting root flora– a staple of organics– in aquaponics and hydro. Water use is 1/10 to 1/100th of growing the same food in soil. Finally, aquaponics and hydro are especially popular for new farmers and urban agriculture because you don’t have to own land to use them. In spite of these advantages, the USDA is considering banning aquaponics and organic hydro (hydroponics using organic nutrient sources) from organic farming. Add your voice…
Proudly brought to the commercial Hydroponic and Organic grower by Hort Americas and specifically developed for re-circulating NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), the Pre-Empt Organic Hydroponic Fertilizer is packed with the essential micro and macro nutrients, amino acids and vitamins your plants hunger for! Pre-Empt goes through a FIVE stage fermenting process which is above and beyond other products by incorporating molasses with other all-natural plant extracts. This process packs Pre-Empt with essential macro-nutrients, micro-nutrients, amino acids like Humic and Fulvic Acid, as well as an array of vitamins which build a full spectrum of nutrients that plants desire. Excellent for…