Platform system increases efficiency and work safety in vertical farms

Cannabis growers have been using vertical farm methods very successfully – especially thanks to the high value of the cannabis crop. Regardless of that, managing every single detail of a vertical farm operation is a particularly complex endeavor. Yet, when everything is properly designed and in place, challenges wouldn’t be over – just slightly different. One to consider, for instance, is job safety: if this aspect is addressed properly, positive effects would reverberate even into the operational cost of the cultivation as a whole. This is exactly what Pipp Horticulture, together with VAS Vertical Air Solutions, has implemented into their Elevate Platform System. To show that, the company has shared a video.

In the video, James Cunningham with VAS visits Fog City Farm, an indoor cannabis producer based in Santa Cruz, California. While in between two racks filled with cannabis plants up to the building’s ceiling, James takes care to explain the pros of the novel Elevate Platform System by Pipp. “This system is a mobile platform that allows to have access front to back, and maintain safe working for high elevations,” he says. “The racks have a tracking system to slide the platform into and creating a catwalk.” Then, James proceeds to show how easy is to slide the platform and attach them to the racks.

Through this system, work safety is greatly increased since growers don’t have to use ladders and whatnot to get to the highest tiers of the racks. “This solves safety issues with old methods,” he says. But on top of that, he continues, growers will just more easily move to tend to each plant, thus wasting less time on moving ladders and stuff all around.

Ian Swift is the head grower at Fog City Farm, and he gives a demonstration of how easy is to slide the platform into the tracks. “Safety first, kids!” he says. Check the video to see the full presentation.