University of Arizona and Philips Lighting collaborated to create improved lighting for plant production in Mars-lunar greenhouses Non-water-cooled LED lights used 56 percent less energy; more than doubling production of edible biomass per kilowatt-hour (kWh) compared to previous water-cooled high pressure sodium system Research findings to inform development of new innovations in urban farming SOMERSET, N.J.–Philips Lighting, a Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX, PHIA) company and global leader in lighting, has collaborated with The University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) to test energy efficient ways to grow food that will help feed astronauts on missions to the moon,…
Author: urbanagnews
A One Day Conference on July 7, 2016 at the University of Warwick, UK Confirmed Keynote: Dr Chiara Tornaghi (Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, UK) Urban gardening has long promised radical alternatives to industrialized food production and the organization of modern urban spaces. Yet despite recent increases in popularity and a conspicuous proliferation of its forms, urban gardening appears to have had minimal material influence on how we eat or how we live. It is now time to ask what the future holds for urban gardening. What evidence is emerging of urban gardening’s social and environmental impacts? Can such forms…
The face of agriculture is dramatically changing in and around cities worldwide. From Anchorage, Alaska to Tokyo, Japan, multi-story indoor farms provide fresh produce, fish and other products to local residents. Some facilities are greenhouses using natural sunlight, others use grow lights. Proponents of these farms argue they use less water and pesticides, while reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions. But critics argue they are not cost effective and consume too much energy. Guest host Maria Hinojosa and a panel of guests discuss the pros and cons of indoor urban farms for this month’s Environmental Outlook. Guests Stan Cox senior…
Dr. Roberto Lopez has joined the faculty in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan as an Assistant Professor and Controlled Environment/Floriculture Extension Specialist. He will have a 45% research, 30% teaching, and 25% extension appointment. Roberto will add to MSU’s lighting expertise with his research background in traditional and LED supplemental and sole-source lighting and become part of the Floriculture Research Alliance and. Roberto says he will continue investigating how light (quantity, quality, and duration), carbon dioxide, air and substrate temperature during the young and finished plant stages influence timing, rooting, quality, and subsequent…
Humans have spent the last 10,000 years mastering agriculture. But a freak summer storm or bad drought can still mar many a well-planted harvest. Not anymore, says Japanese plant physiologist Shigeharu Shimamura, who has moved industrial-scale farming indoors thanks to special LED lights developed by GE. Working in Miyagi Prefecture in eastern Japan, which was badly hit by powerful earthquake and tsunamis in 2011, Shimamura turned a former Sony Corporation semiconductor factory into the world’s largest indoor farm illuminated by LEDs. The special LED fixtures were developed by GE Lighting and emit light at wavelengths optimal for plant growth. The farm…
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…
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…