Why does energy efficiency matter when selecting LED grow lights?

Learn the 3 things to consider when choosing energy efficient lighting in your greenhouse or vertical farm.  __________ Before we get started, let’s set some ground rules for this article.  1. I want to believe that everyone wants to do what’s right for the planet as long as they think their business can afford it, […]

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Chris Higgins environmental movement

Who should lead the environmental movement?

Photo: Our decisions today affect our planet tomorrow.  Protect what you love, whether that be work or play. Simple answer, those with the most passion and perseverance. As the controlled environment agriculture industry we spend a significant amount of time discussing how we are going to improve our communities, the environment, the farming experience and the […]

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Indoor Ag Science Cafe

‘Back to Basics – Plant responses to temperature by Dr. Chieri Kubota

This month’s indoor ag science café covered more basics understanding of how temperature affects plants and which parameters are important to consider. Plant responses are specific to species and cultivars. Dr. Chieri Kubota, from the Ohio State University, also pointed out that scientists do not have these specific (or precise) information of optimum temperatures.  As […]

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Last Chance For Tickets! Pioneering Forum for Sustainability in Agriculture

International scientists, investors, directors, and advisors come together to share global initiatives and spur innovation.  Miami, Fl., October – This month’s Sustainability & Digitalization Leaders forum is the exclusive, comprehensive conversation every thought leader in agtech should be a part of. The SDL agenda demonstrates critical awareness of the most relevant sustainability issues across the […]

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SDL – The Leaders Forum in Agtech and Sustainability

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.  […]

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Humidity Management for Greenhouses: Dramm Partners with Vifra

Humidity Management for Greenhouses: Dramm Partners with Humidity Management Leader, Vifra, To Offer Solutions to North American Market Press Release – Manitowoc, WI – Dramm is pleased to announce that they are partnering with Vifra, the specialists in humidity management, to offer their solutions to North American customers. Vifra focuses on helping growers optimize their […]

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Purdue University hosts the Indiana Horticultural Congress

The Indiana Horticultural Congress is an educational meeting designed to meet the needs of fruit, vegetable, wine, organics, and specialty crop growers and marketers in Indiana and surrounding states. Sessions will focus on climate, insect management and pollinators, biostimulants and much more. Speakers include Dr. Annette Wszelaki from Tennessee, Dr. Lori Hoagland from Purdue and Dr. Matt Ruark […]

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Updated daily light integral (DLI) maps now available

New DLI maps have been created from an updated database that includes data from 1998 to 2009. Daily light integral (DLI) is the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) received each day as a function of light intensity and duration. DLI maps display the ambient light delivered daily during each month across the entire United […]

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Desert Aire Outlines Impact Of Grow Room Vapor Pressure Deficit On HVAC System Design In New Application Note 28

Crop yield improved by proper choices, integrated environmental control Milwaukee, WI, USA – Desert Aire, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of commercial and industrial humidity and climate control systems, has published a new technical resource that explains how carefully defining grow room Vapor Pressure Deficits can produce maximum yields and have favorable impacts on the capital and […]

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What are the production and training issues facing controlled environment agriculture growers?

Ohio State University professor Chieri Kubota is focused on helping to resolve the production and training challenges facing controlled environment growers. Trying to produce vegetables in hot, humid conditions can be difficult for controlled environment growers whether growing in a greenhouse or a warehouse. “The challenges of greenhouse growing in Ohio and the Midwest are […]

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Growing in the Bahamas isn’t always paradise

Originally published in Issue 16 Lucayan Tropical Produce has been growing greenhouse vegetables in The Bahamas for 12 years, but it has taken some adjustments to find the best crops to grow on an island in paradise. Since Lucayan Tropical Produce Ltd. began producing greenhouse vegetables in 2004, the company has experienced three major hurricanes, […]

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Growing in a “perfect” greenhouse climate

Originally published in Issue 16 Although it may be difficult to create the perfect greenhouse climate for growing plants, there are variables growers can control to maximize plant growth. Regardless of the type of crop being grown in a greenhouse, the climate a grower is trying to achieve requires controlling the same variables. “Greenhouse growers […]

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How HVAC maintenance can save you money

Originally published in Issue 12 Proper HVAC Maintenance Delivers Savings and Reliability By John Zimmerman Learn what preventive maintenance should be done on a controlled environment agriculture heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and what it can cost you if it’s not. In Urban Ag News Issue 11, I introduced Jeffrey Orkin, CEO at Greener […]

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Meeting the environmental challenge of growing food crops

Originally published in Issue 12 More predictable production levels and harvest dates are driving growers to adopt controlled environment agriculture. Even though most greenhouse vegetable growers are producing fewer types of crops than ornamental plant growers, trying to control the environment of these food crops can be a much bigger challenge. “The environmental control challenges […]

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