Johnny Howard’s Post

Investing in vertical farming is a strategic move for sustainable agriculture. The efficiency and #innovation of vertical farming are paving the way for a more resilient food production system. Now is the time to explore the opportunities this sector offers. Stay ahead of the curve and consider the benefits of vertical farming. #VerticalFarming #Investment #FridayFarming #SustainableAgriculture

Today marks the beginning of my Ag-tech showcase series: Savvy by Nature - Innovations in Agriculture. Over the last couple of months, I have interviewed 10-15 people per week about new and innovative Ag-tech solutions, and I have found some incredible advancements poised to change CEA as we know it. This week's showcase is on Skygreenscanada.com - A vertical farming rack provider changing the game of growing vertically. One of the most common things I've heard during these discussions over the last few weeks was about the failures of large-scale vertical farming. I kept hearing that the main reason for this, among other things, was the challenge of keeping temperature and airflow within ideal ranges in the 30-foot space between the floor and ceiling. When airflow and temperatures move outside of ideal ranges, plants are weaker and more susceptible to molds, E. coli, and other pathogens that are detrimental to fresh produce, often forcing operators to destroy entire crops because of one small outbreak in the facility. It's precisely this type of cause and effect that has significantly contributed to failures of some very big names in vertical farming. When I heard that Skygreens has a viable solution to the persistent airflow and pathogen issues commonly found with vertical farming applications, the need to dig deeper became obvious. The Skygreens team manufactures the systems in Canada and has developed a vertical farming racking system that rotates on a vertical axis, allowing airflow and light to be as uniform as possible. The coolest part of this design is that the system's vertical rotation is powered by a 40-watt water pump that pours water over a water wheel connected to the drive shaft of the vertical rotation apparatus, creating hyper-efficient movement throughout the canopy. With exclusive manufacturing rights for North America, Skygreens is ready to take things to the next level with pending projects in Canada and Europe. This is going to be a game changer for vertical farming all over the world. Looking forward to see what is next for the Skygreens team. Leave a comment if you are in the process of designing a vertical farming scenario. Curious to hear some feedback on this. #verticalfarming #CEA #microgreens #horticulture

Although the current downturn presents a daunting picture, it’s essential to recognize the resilient foundation and innovative strides that underpin vertical farming. Today’s challenges represent obstacles within the broader narrative of an indispensable agricultural shift. With robust fundamental drivers and a wave of innovative developments on the horizon, vertical farming is on the brink of a resurgence. https://lnkd.in/dV9xt9eq via The Food Institute

Vertical Future is exploring the potential for vertical farming in #Iraq. This innovative approach holds promise for sustainable agriculture and food production in the region. Embracing vertical farming techniques could lead to increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact. #VerticalFarming #SustainableAgriculture.

MB is actively promoting #education and #research to drive innovation in #verticalfarming. By creating opportunities and sharing knowledge, they are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture. Stay updated on the latest developments in vertical farming with MB. #VerticalFarming #SustainableAgriculture #FridayFarming

Vertical Farming Innovations in Singapore Singapore is at the forefront of vertical farming innovations, addressing the challenges of limited land and growing food demand in urban environments. Vertical farming involves cultivating crops in stacked layers… #Singapore #VerticalFarming >>>>> Full article in the link below

Vertical farming faces several challenges that have contributed to its slower adoption and, in some cases, failure. Some key reasons include: 1. High Initial Capital Costs: Setting up a vertical farm requires significant investment in infrastructure, including specialized equipment, climate control systems, and lighting. These upfront costs can be prohibitively high, especially for smaller operators. 2. Energy Consumption: Vertical farming often relies heavily on artificial lighting (LEDs) and climate control systems, which can lead to high energy consumption. In areas where electricity is expensive or not renewable, this can make operations unsustainable and cost-ineffective. 3. Water and Nutrient Management: While vertical farms use less water than traditional agriculture, maintaining a delicate balance of water and nutrients in a closed-loop system can be difficult and costly. Inefficient systems can lead to crop loss or resource waste. 4. Limited Crop Variety: Many vertical farms focus on high-yield, quick-growing crops like leafy greens and herbs. However, growing more diverse or larger crops, such as grains or root vegetables, is more challenging in vertical systems due to space constraints and different growing requirements. 5. Scalability: While vertical farms can work well in controlled environments, scaling them to meet large-scale food production needs can be complex and expensive. Replicating these systems on a larger scale may not provide the same efficiencies as traditional farming. 6. Market and Economic Viability: Vertical farming struggles to compete with traditional farming, especially in regions with abundant, cheap land and labor. The cost per unit of produce in vertical farms may still be higher than in conventional farms, making it harder to reach price competitiveness. 7. Technical Complexity: The technology behind vertical farming, including automation, sensors, and climate control systems, can be complicated to manage and maintain. This adds to operational costs and the risk of technical failure, especially for smaller businesses with less expertise. 8. Consumer Acceptance and Education: Many consumers are not yet fully aware of or convinced by the benefits of vertically farmed produce, which can hinder market demand. There's also a gap in consumer perception regarding the sustainability of vertical farming compared to traditional agriculture. Seems like this tech comes too early or this is a research journey in preparation of the Armageddon. Factor 1,2,5,6&8 are the biggest challenges to for vertical farming farmers and what lead the business goes down and under.Harsh reality which some might not agree or don’t want to talk publicly. https://lnkd.in/gCxwuxwV

Council Post: Resolving The Water Wars: The 4 Key Drivers Of Indoor Vertical Farming Success Eden addresses all four key drivers by offering an affordable, scalable vertical farming solution using advanced aeroponic technology with our proprietary Eden Control System. This system allows anyone, regardless of experience, to grow a full spectrum of crops, including root vegetables and even potatoes. Source: https://bit.ly/4fbxYws Forbes discusses the key drivers of Indoor Farming success in this article. Would you like to have a stake in our future? We are now accepting investments for our SEC Regulated Crowdfunding Campaign where anyone can invest and own a part of a company sure to soar. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3wkGU0U If you have questions email or call us at invest@edengrowsystems.com 877-333-6476, ext 2 Eden Grow Systems #edengrowsystems #farming2point0 #growanything #therealmartian #spaceindustry #aeroponicsystems #futurefarming #diyengineering #grow365 #growtower #foodindependence #spacefarming #liveanywhere #investinthefuture

Farming as a Service Market Share to Reach USD 14.63 Billion Polaris Market Research & Consulting #farmingasaservice #agriculture #agtech #smartfarming #precisionagriculture #sustainablefarming #farmmanagement #digitalagriculture #cropmanagement #farminginnovation #supplychain

Far-Red Light’s Hidden Benefits Transform Lettuce Growth in Vertical Farms In the bustling world of vertical farming, where every inch of space counts and efficiency is paramount, a recent study sheds light on the nuanced role of far-red light in enhancing lettuce growth. Conducted by Jiawei Li from the School of Agricultur https://lnkd.in/egXHefKg