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A visit to Amplified Ag, Charleston (SC)

The program connects researchers from thirteen ARS locations across the United States and focuses on topics ranging from crop genetics and hydroponic systems to plant health, integrated pest management, and pollinator biology.
The program connects researchers from thirteen ARS locations across the United States and focuses on topics ranging from crop genetics and hydroponic systems to plant health, integrated pest management, and pollinator biology.
USDA researchers Kousik Shaker and Dr. Kai-Shu Ling pictured with David Flynn of Amplified Ag in the middle
USDA researchers Kousik Shaker and Dr. Kai-Shu Ling pictured with David Flynn of Amplified Ag in the middle
One farm is growing multiple crops at the same time, using a similar growing environment and nutrient mix
One farm is growing multiple crops at the same time, using a similar growing environment and nutrient mix
Dr. Kai-Shu Ling at one of the R&D farms
Dr. Kai-Shu Ling at one of the R&D farms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) R&D objectives
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) R&D objectives
The propagation process begins with tissue culture, allowing pest-free, clean plants. After a few weeks of propagation inside the container, the young plants will be transplanted outdoors.
The propagation process begins with tissue culture, allowing pest-free, clean plants. After a few weeks of propagation inside the container, the young plants will be transplanted outdoors.
"We want to see how plants perform from the very beginning all the way through to the field"
"We want to see how plants perform from the very beginning all the way through to the field"
The plants are grown in cocopeat-based systems, with foil coverings used to protect irrigation channels and prevent algae from growing.
The plants are grown in cocopeat-based systems, with foil coverings used to protect irrigation channels and prevent algae from growing.
Dr. Kai is conducting rice trials as well
Dr. Kai is conducting rice trials as well
Bell pepper seedlings
Bell pepper seedlings
Marigold flowers, also helpful to largely prevent pests
Marigold flowers, also helpful to largely prevent pests
Cilantro
Cilantro
Did someone say pesto? Basil plants are grown inside the same container, alongside other herbs
Did someone say pesto? Basil plants are grown inside the same container, alongside other herbs
Frisée lettuce
Frisée lettuce
All farms are equipped with a cloud-based farm control system, collecting operational data and remote monitoring
All farms are equipped with a cloud-based farm control system, collecting operational data and remote monitoring
Butterhead lettuce with a tint of red
Butterhead lettuce with a tint of red
An Amplified Ag container farm running multiple cultivars for R&D purposes
An Amplified Ag container farm running multiple cultivars for R&D purposes
A head of lettuce
A head of lettuce
Checking the rootzone is not an issue, as gutters can be easily removed and cleaned for maintenance
Checking the rootzone is not an issue, as gutters can be easily removed and cleaned for maintenance
Based on the client's demand, Amplified containers come in various setups to utilize the farm in the best way
Based on the client's demand, Amplified containers come in various setups to utilize the farm in the best way
Boston lettuce
Boston lettuce
"Here we can change one parameter at a time and observe exactly how plants respond," says Kousik Shaker, research lead at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory.
"Here we can change one parameter at a time and observe exactly how plants respond," says Kousik Shaker, research lead at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory.
Seedlings
Seedlings
Each farm comes with a propagation system to grow all the seedlings for the farm
Each farm comes with a propagation system to grow all the seedlings for the farm
Heads of lettuce
Heads of lettuce