UConn researcher invents ‘Plant Factory’ for urban agriculture

With urbanization increasing worldwide, the popularity of urban gardening is on the rise. People are growing food on rooftops, balconies, and backyards – but how about in abandoned warehouses or basements? Professor Xiusheng (Harrison) Yang in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources has…

Don Cazentre with Syracuse

"How betting the farm, and losing it, taught me an invaluable lessons in CEA"

"There is a lot of talk in the news about CEA operations, indoor farms, vertical farms, and even greenhouse operations closing their doors, facing economic uncertainty, and generally not living up to expectations–particularly investor expectations. NYC AgTech Week even hosted a panel discussion titled…

Avisomo's Growth Station nominated for Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2023

"Our nomination to the Fruit Logistica Innovation award is a huge recognition of our system and its potential, but it's also a notable inclusion of vertical farming concepts into the mainstream agricultural landscape. Being nominated among this select group of prominent agriculture actors is a huge…

Aerofarms via patch.com

US (NJ): Indoor farm spreads seeds In Newark school system

A cutting-edge “indoor farm” based in Newark is spreading seeds in the city’s public school system, and it’s a win-win for kids and the company alike, it says. AeroFarms – which has a corporate headquarters in Newark – has been making waves in the world of urban farming since breathing new life into a…

US (PA): Erie's Curtze Co. leader touts potential of aquaponic farm

"I want to take an opportunity to speak to the Erie Aquaponics Center at Savocchio Park, which is a unique private/public collaboration with huge growth potential," says B.…

Sativus Tech raises $1,3 million in crowdfunding

Sativus Tech Corp’s subsidiary, Saffron Tech Ltd, announced it has raised $1.3 million in additional funding from its recent crowdfunding campaign. Approximately 650 new…

Lesson from masterclass: Crop lighting doesn't always work

Two hours in an afternoon were enough to discuss a lot of new interesting insights from sensor data. Some 50 budding horticultural specialists were present. MBO Westland and Sendot jointly organized a Masterclass Plant Insights last week. The venue was the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk, Netherlands.…

NL: How popular is greenhouse horticulture among young people?

The future of greenhouse horticulture lies in the hands of the new generation. But are they interested in it? How attractive is a career in greenhouse horticulture among young people and young adults? We spoke with 25-year-old Stef from Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands, Inholland Delft University of…

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A start-up plans to replace plastic with seaweed alternative

Li Ka-shing-backed start-up Notpla, the latest winner of the prestigious Earthshot Prize, is on a mission to replace plastic packaging with a sustainable alternative made from seaweed to tackle pollution.The start-up, co-founded by Pierre Paslier and Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez in a student kitchen in London…

How to get the best quality out of your Oyster mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms can be quite challenging to grow. Vertical Greens had some problem called 'stretching.' Yet, it seems as if they found a solution, as they documented in the video below.   

New vertical farming installation showcased

Find out how vertical farms work and tell us what you think at the vertical farming showcase at the Science Park in Norwich. Straight-up farming is a new installation of…

JPFA launches a vertical farming training course

The Japan Plant Factory is announcing a new training course on vertical farms from 9-23 March 2023. A live question-and-answer session for all participants will take place…

Neon Greens

US (MO): Container farms to supply greens on site in new St. Louis dining site

Neon Greens, a new, quick-service salad concept from St. Louis native Josh Smith, is set to open in the historic Grove neighborhood of St. Louis this summer at 4176 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110.  Neon Greens is a container farm that will be able to supply from seed to leaf to plate. In addition to…

US (NJ): Princeton High School students competing for nationwide STEM award with saltwater aquaponics entry

Princeton High School has been named one of eight finalists statewide in the 13th annual Samsung Electronics America’s national “Solve for Tomorrow” STEM competition. The high…

US (MI): Negaunee High School brings hydroponic greens to the lunchroom

A Marquette County high school has been awarded a $5,000 grant that will help bring more fresh food into the lunchroom. The grant comes from a health endowment fund by the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Services Agency. Negaunee High School Environmental Science Teacher Todd Backlund says the grant…

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US (IL): Urban Farming Certificate prepares students for expanding industry

Using a hands-on approach in the practice of raising food in urban and suburban areas, College of DuPage students now can work alongside industry professionals in an urban farm setting as part of the College’s new Urban Farming certificate program. “Urban agriculture is a large movement across the…

An electric boiler key to your successful and affordable energy mix?

Extreme fluctuations in electricity prices are expected in the coming years, with prices for usage changing throughout the day and over the course of the year. The energy imbalance is boosting the demand for electric boilers in greenhouse horticulture. Bosman van Zaal has also noticed a sharp increase in…

US: Recall of products due to possible Salmonella contamination

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall on its products containing micro greens, sweet pea leaves, and cat grass because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. SunSprout Enterprises is also voluntarily recalling two lots of Alfalfa Sprouts due to potential contamination…

Robotics’ coolest feature is not the tech itself, but the intelligence behind it

“At Enkitek, we provide the tools needed to industrialize the vertical farming sector by introducing digitalization and artificial intelligence,” says Víctor Cantón Ferrer, CEO at the Barcelona-based agtech company Enkitek. Víctor Cantón Ferrer As Victor explains, Enkitek’s main service is the provision of…

US: Research expanding opportunities for commercial seaweed production

For thousands of years, seaweed has been a dietary staple for people around the world. While Japan may be the culture most frequently associated with seaweed consumption, different types of seaweed are commonly eaten in other Pacific Islands, as well as in China, Iceland, Wales, and Scotland.Seaweed…

Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities hosted at Bustanica

"It was a pleasure to host students from Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities at Bustanica. The students enjoyed a tour of the world’s largest vertical farm followed by a delicious spread courtesy of our Culinary and Events teams," the company shared on their LinkedIn page. 

Why container farms?

The need to rebuild and reinforce the agricultural ecosystem to provide sustainable food sources for global populations is nothing short of an absolute. And so is the need to reduce carbon emissions in an effort to stem the catastrophic effects of climate change. However, these critical objectives are somewhat and sometimes at…

NL: Five elementary school add growing towers to their portfolio

At the initiative of the 'Learning to Eat Young Groningen' incentive program, five primary schools in the province will start growing vertical with Tower Garden for a year…

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Sky high building costs and supply shortages? Try hemp

Houses made from hemp could be the next sustainable solution to Australia’s building supplies crisis. Hemp concrete, or ‘hempcrete,’ is emerging as a greener alternative to traditional bricks and concrete. From domestic housing to city skyscrapers, plant-based materials such as hempcrete cut reliance on…