Skip to main content
Center of Excellence For Indoor Agriculture and Microclimates

The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture Announces Partnership With Microclimates, Inc.

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture, a U.S. based company that supports the growth of the vertical farming and greenhouse industry, announced a partnership with Microclimates, a software development company that provides farms with a platform that offers monitoring, control, data analytics and automation to growers.

The new partnership is designed to assist growers from start-up to farm-build to continued operations. The Center brings its business planning, financial analysis, venture strategy and farm operations assessment expertise to the partnership. Microclimates brings its expertise in platform development and software solutions for lighting, climate, fertigation, irrigation, layered mapping and energy management to the partnership. Together they offer clients a robust set of solutions for indoor farm development and growth.

Eric W. Stein, Ph.D., founder and Executive Director of the Center of Excellence notes, “We are delighted to work with Neda Vaseghi and Loren West at Microclimates. They have built a robust and easy-to-use software platform that helps indoor growers to succeed. One of the challenges for growers is to operate a farm in an efficient and sustainable way in order to achieve profitability. Their solution provides a high level of monitoring, control, and automation at an affordable price point.”

Neda Vaseghi, CEO and co-founder of Microclimates says, “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Center of Excellence and Dr. Eric Stein. His unparalleled expertise in indoor agriculture, technology innovation, and sustainable practices perfectly complements our mission to revolutionize CEA. With Dr. Stein’s visionary leadership and our commitment to cutting-edge environmental automation, supported by integration of silos and hardware- agnostic approach, we are poised to unlock new possibilities and drive transformative impact in the agriculture industry. Together, we look forward to shaping a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient future for growers.”

About The Center: The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture provides business expertise and analytical advisory services to investors, entrepreneurs, industry partners, and community organizers to de-risk the process of building sustainable and profitable indoor vertical farms and greenhouses. Services include strategy, due diligence, economic and technical feasibility analysis, market research and analysis, operations assessment, sustainable methods, training and development. The Center and its partners offer indoor farm design solutions based on sustainable architectural design and optimal operations management principles. As the first U.S.-based Center of Excellence dedicated to indoor farming, it promotes best practices, benchmarking, best in class solutions and research. The Center is located in the Philadelphia metro region.

About Microclimates, Inc. Microclimates is a software company that offers a platform for monitoring, control, automation, and data analytics for various aspects of controlled environment agriculture (CEA), including lighting, climate (HVAC), watering, nutrient dosing, energy monitoring, and maps. Its solution aims to address the current scenario where most CEA systems operate independently, functioning as isolated entities. The Microclimates platform seamlessly unifies monitoring & control systems, while providing a hardware- agnostic model. This integration provides users with a centralized software interface, simplifying management by reducing the number of controllers to oversee. Additionally, it brings about cost savings through labor reduction, mitigates risks associated with the use of multiple control systems, harmonizes data across various components, and facilitates informed, data-driven decision-making for operators.

Innovating for Tomorrow: Good Natured Highlights Sustainable Packaging Trend

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

 

good natured Products Inc. (Indoor Ag-Con 2024 Booth #1323) has been making bio-based packaging since 2006 and has witnessed transformative changes in packaging expectations, driven by a deepening commitment to sustainability and a keen response to regulatory and consumer demands. The landscape is changing fast, and companies are trying to make sense of what’s best for their business and the environment. Sometimes, this complexity leads to confusion, and when people are confused, they might hesitate to act. Part of the company’s approach is to provide simplified, actionable insights to make it as easy as possible to make the switch to sustainable packaging.

Key trends to Watch:

  1. Brand Loyalty through Sustainability: Businesses are seeing sustainable packaging as more than an environmental choice—it’s a brand builder. With a significant majority of consumers favoring eco-conscious packaging, adopting recyclable, compostable, and reusable options is becoming a strategic priority for companies that want to stay ahead.
  2. Clarity is King: Transparent packaging isn’t just aesthetically pleasing; it’s a trust builder, offering consumers a clear view of the product, assuring them of its freshness and quality—a critical decision factor in today’s market.
  3. Navigating Regulatory Shifts: The dynamic regulatory environment demands agility and foresight. Collaborating with packaging experts can help businesses stay compliant and help avoid the pitfalls of investing in a packaging platform that may be at risk of regulation in the coming years.
  4. Focus on Freshness and Safety: A combination of materials, closures and design choices can have an impact on enhancing product longevity and safety, both of which are crucial in minimizing waste and boosting consumer confidence.
  5. Material Simplification: Optimizing materials for better recycling and composting is becoming a key topic to reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy in packaging. Although the EU has been moving faster on this front, similar approaches are expected to come to North America in the coming years.

As the agri-food sector evolves, so does its approach to sustainability, extending beyond packaging to encompass all aspects of operation, from water conservation to energy efficiency. Indoor Ag-Con provides a platform to explore these innovations, underscoring the industry’s commitment to sustainable practices.

We’re eager to engage with the forward-thinking community at Indoor Ag-Con, sharing insights and exploring sustainable packaging solutions that align with broader environmental goals,” remarks Paul Antoniadis, CEO of good natured®. “Sustainability is a journey, and every step, no matter how small, is part of our collective path toward environmental change, and from our experience your customers will reward your efforts.”

Visit good natured Products Inc. at Indoor Ag-Con to delve into these trends and discover how integrating sustainable packaging into your business can create value and a positive environmental impact.

Indoor Ag-Con 2024 Features Shark Tank Entrepreneur

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Exhibitor News.

Running March 11 & 12, the Indoor Ag-Con is the largest vertical farming/controlled environment agricultural gathering. One of the new Exhibitors this year was featured on ABC Shark Tank’s popular 100th Episode.

John D. Smith of ViteWall (pronounced like “vitamin”) invented a plastic Drywall Alternative that is made for indoor irrigation required by the vertical farming industry. ViteWall takes just 2 hours to be installed in a room (versus over 2 days for drywall) and has a dual-sided radiant barrier to save electricity. This can reduce 20 to 30% of heat or cold.

Smith was recently quoted in AgWeek: “Ag producers are doing things themselves, so our ViteWalls go up easy and fast, plus are made of PolyPropylene Plastic so they can be easily power-washed. ViteWalls offer a dual sided Foil + White Radiant Barrier to save energy, plus are flame retardant, unlike drywall.”

Visit Vitewall Plastic Drywall Alternative Wall Systems in booth 1321!

Trend Report Part Two – Indoor Ag-Con 2024

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News, Press Releases.

Climate Control, Smart Irrigation, Healthy Super Food

(Photos L-R from Hoogendoorn, FabricAir, NGS, Pure Life Carbon and Dramm)

Indoor Ag-Con returns March 11-12 to Caesars Forum Las Vegas offering attendees an insider look into the driving forces behind the ever-evolving vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture industry. Boasting an expanded Expo Hall with 200+ exhibiting companies showcasing the most cutting-edge products, services and tools on the market, Indoor Ag-Con will offer an immersive experience to farmers, growers, ag tech leaders, suppliers, advocates and enthusiasts.

As a follow-up to Indoor Ag-Con Trend Report One issued earlier this year, below are some of the latest trends shaping the indoor agriculture industry today and a selection of product highlights from Indoor Ag-Con 2024 exhibitors.

Climate Control

In recent years, climate control has emerged as a pivotal trend in indoor agriculture, revolutionizing the way crops are grown in controlled environments. With a heightened focus on sustainability and food security, growers are increasingly turning to sophisticated climate control systems to optimize growing conditions regardless of external weather patterns. These systems integrate advanced technologies such as sensors, automated ventilation, and LED lighting, to create tailored environments that mimic ideal growing conditions. By fine-tuning factors like temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and light intensity, indoor farmers can achieve higher yields, faster growth cycles, and superior crop quality while conserving resources and minimizing environmental impact.

Groupe Eode, (Booth 1306) in partnership with ECU Plus, ATC, and GPS, offers a comprehensive precision climate solution, assisting growers in increasing yields while minimizing risks and energy costs. The ECU plus is a new product line offering a HVAC system capable of delivering the most precise temperature and humidity control in the industry, with exceptional energy efficiency. GPS is a new product line reducing and controlling mildew and pathogen by generating ions in the space. Cost effective and without any maintenance or replacement parts.

Hoogendoorn Growth Management’s (Booth 600) flagship product, IIVO, is a revolutionary climate computer equipped with Intelligent Algorithms, streamlining greenhouse management. IIVO not only simplifies climate optimization but also stands out with proactive Intelligent Algorithms that continuously fine-tune climate control based on forecasted weather conditions, ensuring peak efficiency in greenhouse operations.

Microclimates (Booth 701) is an innovative technology firm specializing in environmental automation tailored for the controlled agricultural sector. In an era where automation systems often operate independently, lacking seamless communication, Microclimates introduces a groundbreaking solution. Unlike traditional siloed approaches, the platform transcends hardware dependencies, providing a unified ecosystem. Through the platform, disparate systems—ranging from climate control and lighting to irrigation and fertigation—are seamlessly integrated onto a single user-friendly interface, facilitating harmonized data management and optimal operational efficiency. Microclimates partnered with Veea Inc. to launch  LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) as the wireless solution for sensing and controlling and its low price point allows for easy deployment in any facility.

DryGair (Booth 207) develops and manufactures a patented dehumidification solution for commercial-scale horticulture, including greenhouses, nurseries, indoor grow rooms, drying rooms, and more. DG dehumidifiers combine powerful and efficient dehumidification with a unique air circulation mechanism to ensure uniform, optimal conditions in the grow space.

DesertAire (Booth 1305) offers highly efficient, purpose built integrated HVACD equipment specifically designed for indoor agriculture. Desert Aire’s GrowAire™ GreenAire™ and DriCure™ HVACD solutions provide integrated HVAC control of temperature and humidity in order to provide stable VFD to enhance and protect crops. The new Chilled Water Integrated HVACD System for CEA will be shown at Indoor Ag-Con.

FabricAir (Booth 702) provides complete air solutions for indoor farming and vertical grow operations. Their fabric-based air delivery systems are custom engineered to prevent microclimates, facilitate uniform temperature and humidity within the grow space, and allows plants to flourish through every stage of the grow cycle. FabricAir ducts are lightweight, hygienic, washable, and they don’t condensate which eliminates corrosion issues. The Rack Flow system offers custom designed airflow solutions for multi-tiered grow spaces.

A new partnership between Wageningen University & Research and Skytree (Booth 903), focuses on the use of direct air capture (DAC) technology in the Dutch horticulture industry. The project aims to explore how DAC-generated CO2 can affect plant growth, the energy efficiency of producing CO2, and the optimal integration of DAC into existing greenhouses.

  • Quality: The project investigates the impact of DAC-generated CO2 on plant growth, which is crucial for greenhouse quality improvements.
  • Energy: It measures the energy required to produce 1kg of CO2, a key factor in the sustainability of greenhouse operations.
  • Integration: The research focuses on optimizing DAC integration, which is essential for modernizing greenhouse infrastructure.

MJ–Tech (Booth 320) is a leader in providing high-pressure fog systems, from breeding to propagation and/or cultivation. To manage humidity, to have adiabatic cooling (lower temperatures) all in the most flexible way with your overall climate computer steering.

Smart Irrigation

Irrigation in indoor agriculture has undergone a notable transformation, driven by advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on sustainability and efficiency. Traditional irrigation methods, such as flood and drain systems or hand-watering, are being replaced by more precise and automated techniques. Hydroponic and aeroponic systems, utilizing nutrient-rich solutions or misting mechanisms, have gained popularity due to their ability to deliver water directly to plant roots while minimizing waste. Moreover, the integration of sensors, data analytics, and smart controls enables growers to monitor and adjust irrigation schedules in real-time, optimizing water usage and crop health. This shift towards precision irrigation not only conserves water, but also enhances crop yields and quality in indoor farming environments.

Dramm (Booth 613) is pleased to announce their partnership with CE-Line to provide in-line nutrient testing to irrigation water in North America. CE-Line is a unique, laboratory quality, nutrient analysis system that automatically samples water throughout the day. This in-line testing solution provides accurate data within an hour, eliminating the wait for test results from a remote laboratory. Sample results are securely stored in the cloud with APIs available to connect to your climate control and fertigation systems. This connectivity allows for automated optimization of nutrient levels in real-time.”

In the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) sector, Siemens’ (Booth 1400 and 1501) advanced controls systems, innovative infrastructure, and building automation systems empower growers to optimize crop growth, conserve resources, and increase yields—all while harnessing the power of automation and data-driven insights—leaving customers more sustainable, from the field to the table.

FGM USA (Booth 321) offers automated NFT growing systems including all irrigation and water treatment systems, as well as a propagation/vertical grow system manufactured by FGM. FGM a Danish and USA Company is a leading designer and mfg. of horticulture equipment since 1979.

HANS® (Booth 1522) has reinvented every component used to treat water – from the redundant pump to reverse osmosis elements into intelligent, efficient, space-saving devices. They are designed to work together in modular, scalable systems to meet every need. So even if your customers have brackish water, or need de-ionized water, or use a million gallons per day, HANS components can be assembled to get the job done – quickly, easily and effectively.

Super Food

Indoor agriculture presents a promising avenue for exploring alternate food sources, particularly in the realm of sustainable and innovative farming practices. Vertical farms, hydroponics, and aquaponics systems are just a few examples revolutionizing how we grow food. These methods not only maximize space but also offer opportunities to cultivate unconventional crops like microgreens, edible flowers, and specialty herbs. As indoor agriculture continues to evolve, it provides a fertile ground for experimenting with diverse food sources, offering resilience against climate change and bolstering food security for future generations.

Pure Life Carbon (Booth 1222) is a private Canadian clean AgTech firm that has developed the first re-usable, carbon sequestering, soilless growing medium for the controlled environment agriculture market. The products utilize Advanced Carbon technology to solve problems for growers that were unsolvable in the past. Pure Life Carbon is among a high-performing group of global innovators and visionaries working to feed the populations of tomorrow while healing the environment. Pure Life Carbon has developed the first re-usable, carbon sequestering, soilless growing medium for the controlled environment agriculture market.

Klassman-Dielmann’s (Booth 812) focus will be on the presentation of a genuine innovation for modern horticulture: Nygaia. Nygaia is a new and groundbreaking substrate fiber based on biopolymer technology that is biodegradable and is particularly suitable for use in hydroponic systems.  Under the theme “The magic of innovation,” the completely newly developed, innovative substrate solution will be brought to life with plant examples grown in Nygaia, test kits distributed to interested guests at the Klassman-Dielmann booth or with the appearance of magician Rob Anderson during the Indoor Ag-Con Expo Floor Day One Cocktail reception!

Royal Gold (Booth 505) is the Original Coco soils company, pioneering Coconut based soils and growing mediums for nearly 2 decades. They are leaders in quality and consistency in the marketplace and focus on industry leading customer support for both hobby and commercial cultivation of all crops. Featuring a variety of soils and soilless mediums and offering OMRI/CDFA organic fertilizers and amendments, Royal Gold is the gold standard in gardening. They will be displaying the new All-purpose fertilizer and new 70/30 Coco-Perlite Blend as well as sharing information on its forthcoming Planting Mix and Potting and Propagation Mix.

BIO520 (Booth 1212) is an all-natural essential liquid mineral nutrient for optimal plant cultivation. Derived from a combination of ancient volcanic magma and sea sediments, and free of any harmful chemicals, BIO520 contains an abundance of vital minerals to help plants thrive. BIO520 is beneficial for all plants and crops, indoor or outdoor. Developed from Mother Nature for Mother Nature.

NGS (Booth 1023) manufactures hydroponics for Strawberries, Lettuces and Leafy Greens. NGS is an engineering firm which has been developing automated systems to optimize growing production both by reducing labor and by incrementing production. NGS builds greenhouses that grow lettuce in the desert as well as indoor systems for strawberries. NGS is presenting its patented rotational system for strawberries which doubles normal tabletop production. This new system is revolutionizing the way strawberries are being grown while reducing labor and production costs.

Supreme Perlite (Booth 1216) horticultural perlite products are the ideal indoor, CEA, or hydroponic growing media made here in the U.S.A from domestic raw material sources. The products are sterile, 100% natural, non-toxic, lightweight, pH neutral, durable and insulating. Used as a standalone product, expanded perlite offers clear advantages such as excellent capillarity, water-holding capacity, and air-filled porosity. Combined with other media, perlite boosts drainage rates and aeration, holds moisture and nutrients close to roots, and resists compaction as other substrates begin to break down.

 

EPM (Booth 521) stands at the forefront of eco-friendly plant protection, manufacturing natural solutions in the USA. They excited to debut a 3in1 plant wash, ECO Green, an innovative solution that cleans plant leaves, roots, and acts as an effective pest management alternative. Its unique blend of catalytic enzymes and citric acid not only removes dirt and biofilm but also guards against pests.

For more information on the 2024 exhibitors, please visit www.indoor.ag.

ABOUT:

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse |controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. More information, visit www.indoor.ag

##

Drygair at Indoor Ag-Con

DryGair Is Saving Energy and Improving Yields Across N. American Horticulture

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

Dehumidification system manufacturer, DryGair (Indoor Ag-Con Booth 207), has been at the forefront of the horticulture humidity control market since its inception in 2010. The company has recently established its N. America branch, in order to better serve the U.S. and Canadian markets, as the system is becoming more and more popular, in a wider variety of crops.

Director of the N. America branch, Douglas Miller, mentions DryGair’s success in Europe, most notably in the Netherlands.

“Growers in Europe have been using DryGair for a long time, in a variety of different crops and facilities. It’s become a staple, especially in flowers and other ornamental plants, as well as herbs, leafy greens, and many types of vegetable and vine crops.”

Growers Use DryGair for a Variety of Benefits

The patented dehumidification system was developed at the Volcani Agricultural Research Center, as one of the first solutions for active humidity reduction in horticultural environments. Advanced greenhouses were quick to adopt the technology, as it was shown to not only prevent diseases and improve yields, but also save a significant amount of energy.

“When people think of dehumidification, they think of mold prevention”, Miller says. “But it’s much more than that. Maintaining an ideal relative humidity range, coupled with a uniform climate (thanks to DryGair’s patented air circulation mechanism), has a major impact on the crop. It creates an active climate that stimulates growth and improves quality.”

“The system also saves a lot of energy. By making ventilation unnecessary, you can retain heat inside, which significantly reduces heating requirements. We’ve seen an average of 50% savings, compared to traditional humidity control methods, in trials and customer experiences.”

DryGair’s Success in the Cannabis Sector

In contrast to the European markets, in the U.S. and Canada, DryGair was mostly popularized in cannabis production.

“We’ve had a lot of success in commercial and medical cannabis production in the U.S. and Canada. Cannabis growers were early adopters, quickly realizing that effective humidity control can make or break entire grow cycles” Miller mentions.

“Of course, when it comes to cannabis, humidity control is extremely important, as it’s the main tool for mold prevention. It’s necessary in all stages of cultivation and is actually a GMP requirement for medicinal cannabis production.”

Popularizing Dehumidification in Vegetable and Flower Cultivation

“However, more and more ‘traditional’ growers have been taking note.” Miller adds. “Vegetable, flower, and potted plant growers are realizing the benefits their counterparts across the world are reaping.”

Drygair At Indoor Ag-Con 2024Once growers understand that this tool can both improve yields and reduce costs, it’s an easy decision,” he adds.

DryGair will be presenting their humidity control solution at the upcoming Indoor Ag-Con. Visit the company at booth #207 to discuss effective humidity control and energy savings possibilities for your facility.

Jiffy to Showcase Sustainable, Automation-Ready Solutions at Indoor Ag-Con 2024 | Booth 1012

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

Jiffy Group looks forward to exhibiting at Indoor Ag-Con March 11-12, 2024, at Caesars Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas.

At Jiffy, we recognize that Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) growers are constantly weighing multiple factors when selecting substrate for various hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic systems.

We have worked alongside many CEA growers to help increase cost savings on inputs and reduce costs on labor by offering solutions that are both environmentally sound and easily compatible with automated systems.

Visit us at Indoor Ag-Con Booth #1012 to see our many innovative solutions and allow us to demonstrate how we can help you achieve more efficient and sustainable growing operations.

Streamlining CEA solutions

The high technology, sustainable and certified solution you are looking for to improve yield and maximize your production with more convenience.

Jiffy’s cost-effective solutions provide the key benefits of helping you attain high germination and yields in a variety of CEA production systems.

Jiffy Pellets and Jiffy Preforma, for example, are cost-effective growing media solutions that are well-suited for leafy greens and herb growers who utilize nutrient film technique (NFT) and deep water culture hydroponic systems.

• Pellets include growing media—either peat, RHP-certified coconut coir, or a mix—in an open wall, and a biodegradable, compostable PLA net. You can purchase pellets in various sizes. Jiffy-7 pellets are shipped dry to save space in storage and maximize freight cost. They then expand upon watering ready for seeding and germination.

• With Preforma, growers can select between multiple peat and coir substrate mixes and tray and dibble sizes. Jiffy designs and formulates Preforma plugs as a ready-to-use growing solution using a substrate binder. This helps the plugs retain optimal physical properties throughout various automated processes such as transplanting.

For growers producing vine crops or strawberries in gutter-based systems with drip irrigation, we recommend our Growbags (including EasyFill Growbags) or loose fill mixes.

Jiffy also offers other products to help with your needs, such as Jiffy Growblocks, which are a great combination with Growbags. Jiffy Pots are the preferred choice for growers with hydroponics systems because they offer several key benefits, not only related to crop quality and quantity but also contribute to the sustainability and profitability of operations.

As you work with us to fulfill your substrate needs, you will also benefit from our global supply chain and sales force, advanced handling of raw materials, and certifications ensuring success at every step.

Adhering to the highest standards

At Jiffy, we prioritize the safety, sustainability, and quality of our products and processes.

Our production facilities are certified with various ISO certification standards: ISO 22000 for food safety, ISO 14001 for sustainability, and ISO 9001 for quality. All our operations are also compliant with California’s Proposition 65. These certifications ensure that the media provided is of the highest quality produced to specifications that allow for optimal results.

For some products and production locations, Jiffy has obtained the quality mark from RHP, the nonprofit European knowledge center for growing media, certifying that raw materials and products meet strict quality and sustainability standards. We also offer a range of OMRI listed organic, 0% plastic, and peat-free solutions helping you to achieve your sustainability goals.

Let’s work together

Opportunities abound for the CEA industry to feed an expanding global population, and Jiffy is glad to assist growers by offering them many customized solutions.

As we further our commitment to the industry, we will be opening a new Preforma factory on the West Coast of the United States in Fall 2024.

We look forward to working with you to make sure your operation is a continued success. Come visit us at Indoor Ag-Con Booth #1012, and let’s grow together.

 

 

Nourse Farms

Nourse Farms Continues to Lead the North American Berry Propagation Industry, Adopting New Tissue Culture Production Technology

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

John Place Nourse Farms
John Place, Nourse Farms CEO

For over 90 years, Nourse Farms (Indoor Ag-Con 2024 Booth 317) has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing growers with high-quality, virus-indexed, highly productive plants grown using the best possible practices. This commitment drives Nourse Farms to stay on the cutting edge of the latest developments in the industry.

To amplify Nourse Farms’ commitment to innovation, the North American berry plant propagator is embarking on an exciting journey in 2024. Later this year, Nourse Farms will open the 15-acre North Carolina greenhouse it acquired last year. Additionally, Nourse Farms expects to open a modern tissue culture lab and a seven-acre greenhouse for foundation material in Massachusetts.

Nourse Farms expects to open a modern tissue culture lab and a seven-acre greenhouse for foundation material in Massachusetts later this year.
Nourse Farms expects to open a modern tissue culture lab and a seven-acre greenhouse for foundation material in Massachusetts later this year.

Striving for a new era of excellence in tissue culture production, Nourse Farms’ modern tissue culture lab will include automated tissue culture planters developed and manufactured by Viscon, in close collaboration with ISO Group. The automated tissue culture planters are a tremendous breakthrough for growers, redefining and elevating production while operating in a sterile environment, resulting in increased quality products.

“Tissue culture has been the cornerstone of what we do for decades, so strategic investments in technology and advancements in this part of our operation are not only ideal but necessary,” said Nourse Farms CEO John Place. “With the exciting addition of Viscon’s automated tissue culture planters to our operation, we expect that we will see a significant increase in our production and efficiency.”

This innovative system meticulously transplants individual plants at a predetermined position and depth in the agar, ensuring higher explant quality and improved growth uniformity. The planter includes advanced gripper technology that prioritizes precision and certifies minimal physical plant damage. The automated planter features in-place tool sterilization and automatically sterilizes between transplant batches. Safeguarding sterility reduces the contamination risk seen in manual plant handling.

Nourse Farms’ modern tissue culture lab will include automated tissue culture planters developed and manufactured by Viscon, in close collaboration with ISO Group.
Nourse Farms’ modern tissue culture lab will include automated tissue culture planters developed and manufactured by Viscon, in close collaboration with ISO Group.

By adopting Viscon’s technology, Nourse Farms expects operational efficiency and control to strengthen due to enhanced traceability software that will capture data to help inform process decisions. The software uses barcoding technology that automatically tracks and traces plants in cups. This operation will allow Nourse Farms to monitor and accurately trace plants to the original plant material. By capturing this data, the growers can make informed plant production decisions based on production numbers, multiplication rates, material losses, and location status.

By utilizing this system, Nourse Farms’ skilled lab technicians can focus on preparing and cutting the plants for transplanting.

“This is a transformative time for growers and Nourse Farms is passionate about being at the forefront of implementing modern growing practices,” said Place. “We might be over 90 years old, but we’ve only just begun. We are proud to continue leading the North American berry propagation industry and look forward to what will come out of our new modern tissue culture lab.”

About Nourse Farms

For over 90 years, Nourse Farms has produced and sold premium quality small fruit plants to national and international commercial fruit growers, home gardeners, and resellers. Nourse Farms’ commitment to providing customers with virus-indexed, highly productive plants drives the organization to stay on the cutting edge of the latest developments in the industry. By identifying and testing new varieties and growing techniques, Nourse Farms stands behind its promise to deliver quality. What was once a strawberry nursery serving local growers has grown to be an internationally recognized soft fruit nursery selling strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry plants. For more information about Nourse Farms, visit NourseFarms.com.

Grow-tec Indoor Vegetables

Grow-tec To Showcase Cutting-Edge Indoor Vertical Farming Technology For High-Value Crops At Indoor Ag-Con | Booth 1413

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

Grow-tecGrow-tec is at the forefront in the development of advanced technological solutions for fully indoor Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). The company has developed a world-first cutting edge indoor vertical farming technology designed for high-value crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet bite peppers. This groundbreaking solution delivers unprecedented productivity, boasting significantly higher yields per unit area (m2/sq ft) compared to existing methods.

Grow-tec supplies CEA -Controlled Environment Agriculture operations with industry-leading technology and tailor-made solutions that deliver ultra-high crop yields. State-of-the-art equipment and expert professional services increase profitability while minimizing resource consumption and enabling year-round cultivation worldwide.

Grow-tec envisions itself as the world leader in autonomous vertical farming solutions for CEAs, driving the global revolution in fruiting vegetables.

Shlomy Raziel, CEO and co-founder of Grow-tec, emphasizes the company’s unique value proposition: “We provide a patented, integrated solution for vertical farming in a controlled environment that includes both the hardware and software and is underpinned by solid unit economics. This unique solution is designed for cultivating fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, as opposed to solutions offered by other companies that are primarily designed for leafy greens.”

He further states: “We chose to focus on cultivating these vegetables in order to distinguish ourselves from the other players in a crowded field. Grow-tec tackled significant challenges that other players shy away from due to their technological and agronomic complexity.”

“Furthermore, tomatoes account for 60% of global Fruiting vegetable consumption, making it a highly attractive business proposition.”

Grow-tec has been involved in advanced agricultural projects since its establishment in 2004. This extensive experience allowed the company to cultivate deep expertise in CEA including precise climate andenvironmental control, and the application of soilless technologies. Grow-Tec’s customers come from countries facing long-standing agricultural challenges such as unfavorable climate, a lack of fertile soil, water scarcity, labor shortages, and more.

The company’s success is based on a blend of its unique expertise, and multidisciplinary capabilities, including ergonomics (identifying optimal conditions for each plant), technological know-how (providing the solution which creates optimal conditions), operational understanding (establishing efficient and effective production systems and supply chains), commercial knowledge (building a business model that adds enhanced value to the customer), and more.

Grow-tec high-yield solutions

Challenges of Modern Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the oldest human endeavors and its development is crucial to sustaining the growing global population. Modern agriculture utilizes advanced systems for precise irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and pollination. Nevertheless, it faces a variety of challenges that make it difficult to provide an effective and efficient solution for supplying food to the entire population, particularly in densely populated urban centers and regions susceptible to dramatic climate changes.

Some of the challenges being faced are:

1. Food Security: Disruptions in the supply chain, such as those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasize the need for local food production to ensure critical food supply. Additionally, there is a shortage of labor and skilled workers in the agricultural industry.

2. Climate Change: Climate change affects crop yields, reduces water supply, makes food production unpredictable, and increases the dependency on long-distance transportation.

3. Consumer Demand: Changing consumer preferences, such as the “farm to table” movement, increases the demand for fresh and locally sourced pesticide-free produce.

Benefits of the Technological Revolution

Technological advancements in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), especially in urban areas, offer a new paradigm, and provide effective solutions to these challenges. The benefits of this technological revolution include:

1. Flexibility and Localization: Allows for year-round cultivation of any plant, reducing the distance between production and consumption, improving product freshness, and reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions.

2. Resource Conservation and Efficiency: CEA minimizes resource usage, including soil, water, fertilizers, and labor. It operates in a closed cycle without external pollution, chemicals, or pests. CEA also maximizes yield per unit area and minimizes resource waste.

3. Higher Quality and Healthier Produce: It allows for the production of premium-quality crops, free from diseases and pesticides.

Shlomy Raziel, CEO of Grow-tec, sheds light on the technological revolution taking place within CEA. He underscores the pivotal role of clean rooms and specialized environmental conditions for optimizing plant growth and maximizing yield. Ideal conditions include inert substrates, precise climate control, including air disinfection, carbon dioxide supplementation, and advanced LED lighting. These factors contribute to high-quality, fresh produce that is free from contaminants.

Grow-tec CEA VF2

Supply of Inputs:

Supply of Consumables such as seeds, fertilizer, substrates, and other materials vital for precise facility operation according to the protocols established by the company over the long term.

Grow-tec’s CEO, Shlomy Raziel outlines their next steps, including integrating automation systems with advanced robotics to replace manual processes such as pollination and harvesting. Grow-tec also plans to offer even larger, highly efficient facilities, enabling customers to produce an entire salad’s worth of ingredients within a single optimized environment.

For more information, please visit Grow-tec’s website at www.grow-tec.com, and the company’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grow-tec or email: rpoffice@grow-tec.com

See Grow-tec’s innovations first-hand  at Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, 2024  in booth #1413 at Caesars Forum Las Vegas!

Grow-tec at Indoor Ag-con

 

Klasmann-Deilmann: The Magic of Innovation

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

Klasmann-Deilmann will showcase its latest introductions in booth 812 during the March 11-12, 2024 edition of Indoor Ag-Con. The focus will be on the presentation of a genuine innovation for modern horticulture: Nygaia. Nygaia is a substrate based on biopolymer technology that is biodegradable and is particularly suitable for use in hydroponic systems.

Under the theme “The magic of innovation,” the completely newly developed product will be presented to a wide audience. In addition to theoretical information – which will be communicated at the trade fair booth – the product will also be brought to life for trade fair visitors on site.

Be it with test kits, which will be distributed to interested guests at the booth. Or with the appearance of Rob Anderson. The magician has been seen on Good Morning America, Today, and Comedy Central performing his impressive feats of sleight-of-hand and mind-reading. Rob will be making an appearance during Ag-Con exclusively at the Klasmann-Deilmann booth and during the welcome cocktail reception on the expo floor.

And when even the President of MTV Networks says about Rob ” … I know how rare it is to come upon a talent like him.”, this live event is definitely not to be missed. The special performance is scheduled for March 11 , 2024 from 5:15 to 5:45 pm in the Expo Theater on the show floor during the opening day cocktail reception.

About Nygaia 

Nygaia is the substrate solution of the future that will soon be able to completely replace conventional substrates, e.g. in the cultivation of leafy vegetables in hydroponics and vertical cultivation systems. The innovative substrate fibre consists of 60% natural, bio-based raw materials and is completely biodegradable.

 

This means it produces neither waste nor microplastics. The Nygaia substrate fibre for hydroponics is inert, salt-free and provides a perfect water retention capacity. It also offers very good air capacity, which optimally supports healthy root growth of plants. Nygaia is a product development of the close collaboration of Klasmann-Deilmann and Maan Biobased Products.

Innovation in plant propagation: The GROWCOON

In addition to Nygaia, Klasmann-Deilmann will also showcase Growcoon, a fully biodegradable propagation plug based on polymer technology with a stable but flexible open net structure. It forms a stable root ball when used in combination with a high-quality seedling substrate. Therefore, Growcoon is the optimal system for all types of propagation methods such as sowing, rooting of cuttings, grafting but proves to be particularly effective in vertical farming and hydroponic systems.
The Growcoon is available in many different standard sizes and suitable for all common tray sizes and can be used in all established propagation systems and with different trays and any loose fill substrate. Moreover, Growcoon is a solution for pot-free cultivation, which can significantly reduce the use of plastic. For this, Growcoon is also available in larger dimensions and suitable for growing bedding plants, perennials, or pot herbs in small pots. Growcoon is a product developed within the close collaboration of Klasmann-Deilmann and Maan Biobased Products.

About Klasmann-Deilmann

Klasmann-Deilmann is the leading corporate group in the international substrate industry, with numerous sales and production companies in Europe, Asia and America, and a network of sales and production partners on every continent. Our growing media provide worldwide a vital basis for the growth of soft fruit, vegetables, edible mushrooms, herbs, ornamental plants, trees and shrubs. They help ensure the success of our partners and customers in the commercial horticulture sector and are an integral part of the food sector value chain.

The strategic focus of our company, a medium-sized family business, is extremely forward-looking. Keen to remain the most successful and sustainable producer of growing media, we are single-mindedly building on the lead we have in the development and use of renewable resources, ground-breaking substrate blends and innovative solutions for commercial horticulture. Our ADVANCED substrates as well as Growcoon, Nygaia and the Growbag ADVANCED are the latest examples of our sustainable, innovative growing solutions.

Learn more about Klassmann-Deilmann.

 

AmHydro Partners With Ryzee To Introduce New All-in-one Farm Optimization Platform

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News.

American Hydroponics (AmHydro), provider of best-in-class hydroponic growing systems and CEA grower support, and Ryzee, an Agtech startup that develops hardware and data-driven software systems for CEA markets are pleased to announce the strategic partnership and collaboration to develop a groundbreaking all-in-one farm optimization platform, designed from the ground up to address pain points that growers deal with on a daily basis.

The OnSite app will be publicly unveiled and demoed for the first time in Las Vegas at Indoor Ag-Con 2024, where attendees will have the opportunity to visit Booth 715 learn more and apply for free access as pre-launch testers.

The tablet-based platform utilizes hardware and software – in the greenhouse and remotely – to help farmers track operations, automate daily tasks, and optimize crop planning. It’s farmer-tested and affordable, with features and functionality that address real feedback and needs expressed by AmHydro customers on a regular basis.

“I’ve spent decades in the industry, both as a commercial grower and working with AmHydro. I know what the struggles are. I’ve seen a lot of technologies that have made growers’ lives easier, but I’ve never seen an all-in-one solution that solves so many farm management issues this well. It’s been so exciting to team up with Ryzee to bring this platform to life. I think the features will speak for themselves, and I’m so excited to let everyone see what we’ve been working on.”
– Joe Swartz, VP, AmHydro

“Our team at Ryzee is very excited about the partnership with American Hydroponics on the OnSite tool. By combining our respective strengths, we are streamlining farm management and increasing productivity to address farmers’ real needs.”
– Mike M. Liu, CEO, Ryzee

With minimal setup required, OnSite will allow growers access to a full suite of features. Crop Walk combines RFID crop and harvest tracking and visual assessments to create useful at-a-glance reports on plant health and productivity. Utilization Based Planning will allow full optimization of planting sites, allowing growers to schedule rolling harvests without leaving channels empty. Crop automations will respond to real farm data to schedule and track tasks, ensuring growers and farm workers know exactly what to do and when.

Future releases are planned to further enhance productivity and automate operation activities.

Growers and investors attending Indoor Ag-Con 2024 are welcome to drop by the AmHydro X Ryzee booth to learn more about trialing the platform at no cost before it is officially launched.

Privacy Policy.