Jon Kozlowski, Vice President of Sales for Surna Cultivation Technologies, stated, “The architectural design for a facility is the backbone of the construction project, and effective coordination with engineering teams and providers of cultivation-specific infrastructure for a facility is absolutely crucial to ensuring that the foundational design is accurate. We’re excited to be able to provide these services at the earliest stages of the design, and to coordinate frequently with the other members of the team. This sets our customers up for an on-time, on-budget project, and long-term operational success.”
•Efficient Design – Surna understands that workflow processes in cultivation facilities are critically important to the bottom line and will work with its customers to deliver a thoughtfully considered plan that addresses every requirement of their business.
• Deep Expertise – Having worked with cultivators all over the world on over 200 commercial cultivation facilities, Surna has a deep understanding of the systems used in cultivation operations and how those systems must be integrated within the building itself.
• Flexibility– From simple floorplan development and schematics, to a fully integrated architectural and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) permit and construction plan set, Surna can help with any or all of a facility’s design needs.
• Long Term Support – From permitting support, to construction administration, to post-construction assistance and future design collaboration, Surna will provide project support for the length of the project.
Indoor Ag-Con 2021 Exhibitor Netled and Oh My Greens (OMG) have signed a contract for a three-year investment programme that will see Netled deliver its Vera vertical farm to OMG, a Swedish supplier of potted herbs. The contract was signed in June 2021 and is worth a total of 15 million euros over three years. The contract also includes a five-year maintenance and cultivation consultancy service, and is estimated to be one of the largest turn-key technology deals specifically between technology provider and farm operator in the indoor agriculture market to date.
The first delivery for the project is under way and is valued at 3.2 million euros; it is due in Q2 of 2022. After commissioning, Netled will continue to provide technical and consultancy services while OMG will focus on producing and supplying vegetables to retailers in Stockholm.
OMG is a farm operator company providing consumers with potted herbs, and has ambitions to achieve major market share in Sweden by the end of the investment programme.
OMG is part of Applied Value Group, a Swedish-American investment, management consultancy, and social impact firm. OMG operates in Sweden together with its sister company, Bake My Day (BMD). BMD is a 25 million USD revenue company serving 800 customers with daily deliveries including around 400 grocery stores.
“We considered 17 different vertical farming technology providers and came to the conclusion that, in terms of its technology, know-how, and delivery capabilities, Netled is years ahead of the competition.” says CEO of OMG, Moses Isik.
“The cooperation with OMG and its sister company, BMD, creates a huge opportunity for Netled to increase its market presence in Sweden. It also solidifies our position as the global leader in vertical farming technology.” says CEO of Netled, Niko Kivioja.
From Indoor Ag-Con ExhibitorOreon: The multi-layer lighting market is evolving rapidly as more and more growers recognize the added value of this sustainable and efficient cultivation method.
The heat between the layers, as well as the rising relative humidity (RH), form a major challenge to growers aiming for a stable climate.
The water cooled Embrace from Oreon provides a welcome solution. Less radiant heat means fewer temperature fluctuations, resulting in stable RH and CO2 levels.
The active water-cooling of the multi-layer fixture keeps the fixture at a low operating temperature. This benefits both the light output. It also benefits the lifespan of the electronics and LEDs.
Read more about water cooled multi-layer LED lighting and how this technology contributes to a stable growing climate at: https://www.oreon-led.com/en/keep-close
Experienced nursery technicians know they can’t water a native perennial at the same rate and frequency as an evergreen or shrub. That’s why the average pop-up lawn sprinkler wouldn’t work in a professional growing environment. Managers at Midwest Groundcovers, LLC understood this. But, they quickly realized that irrigation suppliers are not always on the same page.
Virgil Greenhouse Manager Chris Wacker (left) and Nursery Manager, Mike Krueger (right)
The company’s switch in 2016 to an automated irrigation system customized for a nursery environment has enabled efficiencies that they couldn’t achieve with a previous system designed for golf courses. A precise, easily programmable system is critical for this wholesale grower of nursery stock, including native plants, shrubs, evergreens, perennials and groundcovers, as it continues to expand.
Today, workers can focus on the plants instead of managing irrigation controllers thanks to the implementation of an automated system from Argus Controls. “It allows the grower to scout the plants more instead of trying to run all over the nursery opening and closing valves,” says Mike Krueger, Midwest Groundcover’s nursery manager at the Virgil location.
Stuck in the Sand Trap
Early experiences with automation systems don’t always go as planned. Whether it’s a factory or a greenhouse, initial deployments of “smart” technologies are either a boon to business operations or an exercise in frustration.
For Midwest Groundcovers, it was the latter. The company struggled early on with an automated irrigation system at its Virgil production nursery, which opened in 2001. It was an unwieldy system that was difficult to program and manage, says Matthew Fredrickson, the company’s production manager.
“The irrigation system was programmed for a golf course,” Fredrickson recalls. “You would set it, walk away, and everything is watering the same. “What the system designers and engineers couldn’t understand is that we’re a nursery producing plants that are growing, and their need for water is changing throughout the season.”
What the company needed was a system that was easier to program to accommodate the unique needs of different types of plants.
Expansion Planning
In 2013, Midwest Groundcovers found a solution from Argus Controls that met its requirements. The Midwest team was embarking on a 30-acre outdoor expansion, called the Thomsen Growing Center, at its Virgil location to grow containerized shrubs.
The Argus system doesn’t require IT or automation expertise to program, Krueger says. The design made more sense for a grower, with zones and schedules customized for different planting sections. The management team also wanted irrigation controls that could work seamlessly with existing technologies, including the company’s customized fertigation system.
“They made sure the Argus system could talk to those injectors and that the programming was simple enough for a grower to use the system,” Krueger says. “Argus didn’t force us to buy their equipment. They worked around what we had.”
That was important because Midwest Groundcovers had already invested a considerable amount of money into its existing fertilization system, according to Krueger. Starting over with new fertilization injectors would have been costly. The system was up and running in time for the 2016 season.
Fully Automated Future
The company was impressed enough with the Argus irrigation system to begin switching its automated controls to Argus, as well. In 2019, the company switched a portion of its environmental controls in its Virgil nursery greenhouse expansion to the Argus system.
By the end of 2021, the company will extend the automated control system to two growing centers, including a new one that’s under construction, and half of its greenhouses. Midswest Groundcovers’ goal in the future is to expand Argus to the rest of the existing growing centers in Virgil, so the Virgil nursery is standardized with one system. Moving forward, the company will include the Argus system in the design of any new greenhouses or growing shelters, Krueger says.
“We’re really satisfied with Argus,” he says. “We have tried and used several different systems for environmental controls, but we want to standardize the nursery. We like the Argus system and how it works, so for us it made sense for us to continue on that path.”
See what’s new from Argus Controls at the October 4-5, 2021 edition of Indoor Ag-Con and learn more by visiting the company’s website — www.arguscontrols.com
Dolphin Pumps are custom designed and engineered to outperform and outlast other pumps on the market. Their saltwater seals are recommended for all salt water, reef and mineral containing systems, as well as systems containing harsh additives since these environments are considered abrasive.
The saltwater seals are made with high grade stainless steel AISI 316 which includes an additive to help fight off corrosion.
The harder seal faces combined with the stainless steel 316 is most desirable for applications where salt/mineral exposure is a given, providing extra years of life and usage.
For freshwater use, our seal materials and surfaces are designed to provide a much longer service life than typical generic carbon faced freshwater seals.
Dolphin Pumps are designed to handle the toughest environments with the reliability of a magnetic drive pump MINUS all the drawbacks, such as heat transfer, noise, and energy consumption.
Indoor AG-Con 2021 Exhibitor Netled shares that Vera vertical farming technology is now producing strawberry seedlings at the world’s northernmost vertical farm at Kainuu Vocational School, Kajaani, Finland.
Last year Netled delivered and commissioned its Vera LED lighting and climate control technology to the Seppälä vertical farm in Kainuu Vocational School, Kajaani, Finland. Seppälä vertical farm is the northernmost vertical farm in the world, just 250km south of the Arctic Circle.
In addition to its northern latitude, Seppälä vertical is also the largest vertical project for teaching and research purposes in the world.
“The fantastic facilities at Seppälä vertical enable the education of versatile growers and important research in the field. This will also be an immense help for the companies developing vertical farming technology”, comments Niko Kivioja, CEO at Netled.
The Seppälä vertical farm serves as a great example of the benefits of vertical farming: even at over 64 degrees north, the location doesn’t influence the vertical farming process.
During the first year of operations, different types of salad and herbs have been grown, as well as two different batches of strawberry seedlings.
Different recipes for growing have also been created during the first year.
The overall incentive of the project is to better understand the plants and the entire growing process. In the future, Seppälä vertical farm aims to have a completely carbon-neutral production method and run on solar power.
Kari Komulainen, Head Grower at Peuraniemi Nursery, has been extremely satisfied with the results of the vertical farm so far: “The two batches of strawberry seedlings we have grown so far have proven without doubt the efficiency and profitability of producing seedlings vertically”, Kari explains.
Watch the video to see what else Kari has to say about growing strawberry seedlings at the world’s most northern vertical farm
Indoor Ag-Con 2021 Exhibitor ZipGrow has expanded its footprint, moving from leased premises to its own building at the corner of Cumberland and Seventh Street in Cornwall, Ontario Canada. The new building more than doubles the amount of space available to the manufacturer of the world’s most installed vertical hydroponic equipment.
“Demand for our products continues to soar,” says Eric Lang, President of ZipGrow. “The new building allows us to be more efficient while at the same time giving us room to grow in the future.”
Growth is on the menu at ZipGrow, with the company launching an innovative partnership with Sodexo to introduce sustainable growing systems to facilities throughout Canada and the United States.
“Having been installed throughout the world over the past decade, our system enables growers, both big and small, to access fresh produce no matter where they are located”, explains Mr. Lang. “We are excited to move ahead with this new partnership with Sodexo. Together we will be able to introduce sustainable food to Sodexo locations throughout North America.”
ZipGrow technology is a patented system that utilizes both hydroponic growing systems and vertical planes to maximize production volume within a small footprint. Primarily growing leafy greens such as lettuce and kale, along with herbs and small fruiting crops such as strawberries, ZipGrow systems will be installed in Sodexo locations including educational institutions, conference facilities, and corporate food service centres.
“This new partnership with ZipGrow not only enables us to reduce our carbon emissions of distance traveled for food source, onsite food waste, and packaging requirements, but also to introduce innovative technology to our facilities and team members”, said Normand St-Gelais, Director of Corporate Responsibility, Sodexo Canada.
About ZipGrow
ZipGrow is an international leader in indoor, vertical farming technology. The company’s flagship product, the ZipGrow Tower, is a core component of many of the world’s most innovative farms; from indoor hydroponic warehouses to vertical aquaponic greenhouses and high-density container farms
Indoor Ag-Con 2021 Exhibitor HortAmericas shares this news from GE Current:
GE Current, a Daintree company, today introduced the Arize Factor Multilayer (ML) Series, the latest addition to its lineup of horticulture fixtures for indoor farms and greenhouses. Assembled in the USA, the Arize Factor packages improved optics and optimized light spectrums to become an industry-leading, efficient choice for indoor vertical farms.
Assembled in the USA, the new Arize® Factor ML Series from Current offers superior performance for cannabis growers and vertical farm operations.
The series includes two versions: the Arize Factor ML900, a 2-bar array designed to provide high light output for indoor cannabis growing; and the Arize Factor ML300, which features 4-, 5- and 6-bar arrays designed specifically for optimized growth of densely packed leafy greens, herbs and microgreens.
Growers will be able to take advantage of a number of options and additional features with the Factor:
A custom light optic provides extra wide, uniform light dispersion over the grow area. The end result is fewer hotspots, more even growth and fewer bars needed to achieve optimum harvests.
Installation is easier than with the competition thanks to its modular design and two mounting options. Growers can choose universal wire hangers to suspend the grow lights from the top of the rack, or a transversal member that easily clips onto the sides of the grow rack and mounts to the bars.
There are three broad spectra options to select from depending on the crop, along with multiple plug options available for connection flexibility and dimming capabilities.
The Factor boasts an L90 rating of 50,000 hours.
Assembled in the USA
Notably, the Factor is the first of Current’s horticulture fixtures to be assembled in the USA in its Hendersonville, North Carolina, factory. Built in 1955, this 850,000-square-foot manufacturing facility employs over 325 people, with more jobs anticipated as demand for Current solutions and Arize products increases.
“The Arize Factor incorporates 20-plus years of LED fixture design combined with over 65 years of manufacturing excellence and scale in Hendersonville, North Carolina,” said Mike Doss, Current’s VP of Specialty. “Whatever crop you are growing, there is a Factor “flavor” that will suit your needs, proudly assembled in the Appalachians.”
Melissa Wesorick, chief marketing & strategy officer at Current, added: “Our recent investments in the factory and the hiring of more workers demonstrate our commitment to the Hendersonville area. The onshoring of horticultural fixture assembly is part of our long-term strategic vision of creating an American center of excellence in horticulture, in addition to supporting American jobs and reducing lead time for our customers.”
Customers should contact Hort Americas for more details.
To learn more about Current, the new Arize Factor and Current’s leadership in the horticulture industry, visit www.gecurrent.com/horticulture.
About GE Current, a Daintree company:
Current enhances commercial, industrial, city and specialty applications with advanced lighting and intelligent controls. Working with our partners, we deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers. See why Current is always on at www.gecurrent.com.
In May 2021, Rambridge will take delivery of the Vera Compact vertical farming system, which will also become Netled’s first vertical farm in North America. It will produce lettuce and herbs and function as a working example for North American customers. Vera Compact is a modular vertical farming system that allows growers to start small and scale up their operations in line with demand.
Vertical Farming In Canada
“Vertical farming is still quite early-stage in Canada. Growers have been setting up their own systems because there is no current turn-key provider who can guarantee quality technology, equipment, and installation. Netled’s Vera products fill that gap,” says Brent Parker, President at Rambridge Wholesale Supply.
“The market for a system like the Vera Compact is significant. There are many places like close-to-market supermarkets and restaurants who would benefit hugely from the Compact system. It also suits growers who want to start small, but have growth expectations. Vera Compact allows them to grow in a modular way as their operations, market share and budget grow,” he continues.
“At Rambridge, we are super excited to be able to offer top-quality vertical farming technology via the Vera Compact system.”
About Rambridge Wholesale Supply and Netled Ltd
Rambridge Wholesale Supply is a family-run manufacturer and wholesale distributor based in Calgary, Canada, with a focus on indoor and outdoor garden and greenhouse goods.
Netled Ltd. designs and builds the high-tech platform for the world’s smartest vertical farms offering an extensive range of products for all segments of vertical farming from in-store growing cabinets all the way to massive-scale industrial projects via its Vera technology.
Chief Operating Officer, Niko Kurumaa, who is also in charge of North American sales, understands the significance of the partnership with Rambridge.
“This is a key strategic partnership with Rambridge that allows us to bring our Vera technology to the North American market via an established and well-respected company. Rambridge has supplied garden and greenhouse goods throughout Canada and the United States for over 35 years. Now they can also offer their customers cutting-edge vertical farming technology as a turn-key service. We are thrilled to be working with them to both serve and develop the North American market,” says Kurumaa.
The Market For Vertical Farming Systems In North America
The market for vertical farming systems throughout North America is rapidly developing. Brent Parker thinks that now is the perfect time to capitalize on those developments.
“Vertical farming represents the future of controlled-environment production in Canada. As the climate changes and ever-more unpredictable weather, pest, and disease pressures become commonplace, vertical farming represents an opportunity for safe and reliable food production. Vertical farming also means food is produced locally, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation, reduces supply-chain costs, and reduces water consumption. It ensures customers are able to enjoy a fresher product, and one that is more sustainably produced,” says Parker.
“And we’re not just talking about the Compact system. There is a huge potential market for the Vera Instore system too,” he continues. “Grocery stores across the country would benefit immensely from hyper-local crop production and instore growing cabinets. We can’t wait to bring Netled and its Vera technology to North America,” he concludes.
On March 11, 2021 two international industry leaders, Sodexoand ZipGrow Inc., launched a first of its kind partnership to develop more sustainable local food chains throughout North America.
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, has joined forces with ZipGrow Inc., the manufacturer of the world’s most installed vertical hydroponic equipment. Together they wll develop a unique program to introduce sustainable growing systems to facilities throughout Canada and the United States of America.
Introducing Innovative Technology
One of Sodexo’s primary goals is to ensure all our operations are industry leading from a sustainability perspective. “This new partnership with ZipGrow Inc. not only enables us to reduce our carbon emissions of distance traveled for food source, onsite food waste, and packaging requirements, but also to introduce innovative technology to our facilities and team members”, said Normand St-Gelais, Director of Corporate Responsibility, Sodexo Canada.
ZipGrow Systems To Be Installed At Sodexo Locations
ZipGrow™ technology is a patented system that utilizes both hydroponic growing systems and vertical planes to maximize production volume within a small footprint. Primarily growing leafy greens such as lettuce and kale, along with herbs and small fruiting crops such as strawberries, ZipGrow systems will be installed in Sodexo locations including educational institutions, conference facilities, and corporate food service centres.
“Having been installed throughout the world over the past decade, our system enables growers, both big and small, to access fresh produce no matter where they are located”, explains Eric Lang, President of ZipGrow Inc. “We are excited to move ahead with this new partnership with Sodexo. Together we will be able to introduce sustainable food to Sodexo locations throughout North America.”
“As a Chef, we are always looking for ways to introduce the freshest possible produce to our kitchens”, said Chef Davide Del Brocco, Sustainability Manager, Sodexo Canada. “By having a grow system on site, we can now not only customize our produce to meet our upcoming needs, but we can also now harvest fresh greens and use them that same day.”
“Having like-minded partners like ZipGrow who understand what is important to us and who are aligned with our values and goals is crucial in working together for a Better Tomorrow.” said Andrea Cantin, Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator, Sodexo Canada. With Sodexo and ZipGrow Inc. both having company values strongly embedded in sustainability, this new partnership will see this innovative agriculture technology being introduced to multiple Sodexo facilities in Canada and the US.
About Sodexo
Sodexo delivers a wide range of customized solutions, designed to optimize work and living environments. The company has been providing food and facilities management services in Canada for over 40 years, with a focus on enhancing safety, work process and well-being. A market leader in Canada, Sodexo has been recognized as a top employer for the past seven consecutive years. Sodexo is proud to have created the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, an independent charitable organization that has raised over $3 million to fight hunger and donated more than one million meals to at-risk youth across Canada since 2007. It is included in the CAC 40, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI indices.
Key figures (as November 2020)
420,000 employees
1st in its sector in both the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) and the 2020 SAM sustainability yearbook
64 countries
100 million consumers served daily
About ZipGrow Inc.
ZipGrow Inc. is an international leader in indoor, vertical farming technology. Our flagship product, the ZipGrow™ Tower, is a core component of many of the world’s most innovative farms; from indoor hydroponic warehouses to vertical aquaponic greenhouses and and high-density container farms. For more information contact hello@zipgrow.com or at 1-855-ZIPGROW.
Netled
On March 11, 2021 two international industry leaders, 