Hello everyone,

I'm excited to join this community as a recent graduate from Shanghai Jiao Tong University with a master's degree, and I'm planning to continue my studies there for a PhD focusing on energy system optimization and conservation in plant factory environments. I firmly believe that the technologies we develop today will pave the way for sustainable agriculture, ensuring food security for the future. I'm particularly interested in the potential of high-value indoor crops as commercially viable products.

As the saying goes, "Benefit today, endure for eternity."

Before I dive into a comprehensive article on this subject, I'd like to discuss how we can maximize the value of our time. Pursuing this career path involves a lot of strategic thinking about long-term commitments. Recently, I've been inspired by contents on the critical aspects of achieving success. Finding one's positive feedback loop and adopting a strategy of consistent progress are essential for sustained productivity and well-being.

In my view, a key task for a doctoral researcher is to address a core issue, fulfill graduation requirements by publishing papers, and contribute to their field. Advancement involves publishing in reputable journals, securing funding, and sustaining progress. However, my path leans towards applied engineering with clear industrial potential. I aim to attract attention not only from respected academics but also from future colleagues, clients, investors, and beyond.

My current focus is on showcasing my work comprehensively and strategically online. I hope to connect with like-minded individuals and showcase the allure of the plant factory industry worldwide.

Here's a glimpse of what I plan to share:

• Educational articles on the intersection of energy and agriculture.
• Engaging energy simulation case studies, ideally related to plant factories/greenhouses (production side) and refrigeration systems of varying scales (distribution side).
• Engineering case studies: Demonstrating solutions from identifying challenges in specific scenarios, system design, to simulated operational outcomes.
• Reader-friendly versions of published or accepted papers.
• Personal insights and observations.

I'm eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions, and I'm open to ideas for simulations or topics that would be of interest to this community. Let's explore the fascinating world of vertical farming together!

Hello Everybody,

It's Sam from Turkey.
I came across vertical farming while surfing the internet. I want to do this in Turkey. Is there anyone in Turkey dealing with this business? What should I pay attention to when getting started and where should I start?

Thanks,

If you have any questions on how to get your farm up and running, feel free to message me on Instagram @getleveldgreens

"Hey folks, I'm looking for recommendations on green bond underwriters in North America. Any suggestions or insights on where to find reputable ones?"

Hi all, anyone have any experience working at or interviewing with Little Leaf Farms? They have no reviews on Glassdoor and only five on Indeed, does anyone have any commentary on what it is like to work at Little Leaf Farms?

Local Lettuce - Little Leaf Farms - New England's Best Tasting Greens!

Thank you very much!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8GYOFHNTDrvXz3Wen-u_ZHS_wkMSMeXu39xRBTzIRdSOPRg/viewform?usp=sf_link

This is a new take on an old story - about a girl sent into the woods to find strawberries in winter...turns out it is possible with vertical farming. Might be a good way to introduce the topic to young people. Story here https://globalcomix.com/c/fast-fables/chapters/en/1/1

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Agrotuneel grow room

Hello,

I’m not sure if this is the right subreddit to ask this question, but I’ll give it a shot. I’m a masters student trying to conduct a cost benefit analysis on vertical farming in Dryden, Ontario. Agritech North is a small business that owns and operates a vertical farm in that area. Is it appropriate to ask this business about their start up costs, ongoing monthly operational costs, and annual profit?

The second part of my question is, can anyone share the specs of their own vertical farm including your start up costs, production volume, monthly perational costs, annual profit etc.

Thanks

Hi iam interested in Hydroponics . I have 2000m2 land , in Tuscany,Italy .Do you think growing herbs in nft system will be profitable. Iam thinking of basil , selling it or creating basil pesto selling it to my city. Do you guys have any suggestions where should i start?

I've been seeing a lot of different ideas on what I should do for grow lights, but I'm just not sure on what to do. Ive been wanting to make a serious, small scale,commercial vertical farm, so I'd like to do this right. I need them to be very energy efficient, but also on the cheaper side. Should I get the cheap 4000k shop lights or the super expensive commercial grade lights. Any information is welcome. Thank you!

Hi guys! I came across the Hippotainer company (https://hippotainer.com/) and found it a pretty cool idea to have a full sized farm in one container.

What are your thoughts on container farming?

Hey fellow Redditors,

I'm diving into the exciting world of vertical farming and looking to gather insights from the community on potential funding sources for my startup. 🚀

Whether you have hands-on experience or know of valuable resources, I'd love to hear your suggestions on:

1. Grants and Subsidies: Are there any agriculture-specific grants or subsidies that could support a vertical farming venture?

2. Investors or Angel Funding: Any recommendations on investors or angel funding groups interested in sustainable agriculture or vertical farming projects?

3. Crowdfunding Platforms: Have you come across successful vertical farming campaigns on crowdfunding platforms? Which ones would you recommend?

4. Government Programs: Are there government programs supporting sustainable agriculture or technology startups that might align with vertical farming?

5. Industry-specific Competitions: Have you heard of competitions or challenges focused on innovative agricultural projects?

Feel free to share your experiences, success stories, or any valuable tips you think might help in securing funding for a vertical farming startup. Your insights could make a significant difference on this green journey!

Thanks a bunch! 🌿💚 #VerticalFarming #StartupFunding #AgricultureInnovation

Edit: I’m based in the US. I have a science background.

I can't seem to find the answer via Google

We are interested to learn more about vertical farming and would like to visit one in-person. Does any one know if there are vertical farms open for public visit around Toronto area?

I want to avoid leafy greens that are grown on farms subject to potential cattle refuse contamination, is there a symbol of some kind on the packaging to identify produce grown via VF? Just watched a documentary on Netflix on how farm produce gets contaminated with some scary bacteria from cow poops.

Thanks.

Hello fellow vertical farmers! Check out this free to play game about vertical farming on Roblox: https://youtu.be/If32DiJzTG0?si=JtJ5O25WRA8oD26L. So fun.

Hi guys,

I was thinking if it is the same, can I just buy red and blue LED strips and use them?

As grow lights are red and blue lights, what if I buy a roll of red LEDs and a roll of blue LEDs and use them with even spacing systematically.

Will there be a difference if the ones I buy have a different wavelength to standards of grow light to my plants?

Grow lights are pretty expensive at my location.

Also, what is your take on green light?

I hope I was able to explain myself.

Thanks in advance!

Long, well researched article chronicling Appharvest:

https://grist.org/agriculture/appharvest-indoor-farming-morehead-kentucky/

While not affiliated with the company, former senior employees confirmed that ousted CEO Jonathan Webb was the one who personally made sure that the migrant and foreign workers were bussed off site for press tours etc.

He was also known for living in his airstream trailer next to the facility and taking solo, middle of the night trips into the greenhouse, in tactical gear, including night vision goggles etc, while not following any of the GMP / food safety protocols, for no apparent reason, after being asked/told not to repeatedly.

To “boost morale” he organized an actual circus to perform on site, inside the facility, bringing animals and performers, against the advise of operational leadership, entirely against food safety protocols.

Hello,

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We were advised by someone on the "r/greenhouses" to mention our "hobby farm for sale" on here.

Is this true. Are we permitted?

Please advise,

Thank you

AppHarvest was my first and last venture into the stock market. What happens now to shareholders? Since AP seems to have called this a long-term plan, is there a chance of not losing that investment, if they reorganize and make a comeback?

I want to start feeding seedlings plants growing in a greenhouse using a misting system from a specialized liquid nutrient mix.

The liquid nutrient mix would be mixed and stored in a 20-litre bucket and dispersed through a misting system (see photos below).

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20-litre bucket

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misting system

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misting heads

The misting system will eventually have up to 50 misting heads (0.4mm in size). The 1/4'' (ID 4mm OD 6.35mm 4/7mm) garden irrigation agriculture misting hose will be about 15 feet in length and will have to travel up to 6 feet in height.

I expect that the misting system may be triggered every 15 minutes for a run time of approximately 10 seconds each 15 minutes. With up to 50 misting heads, I don't expect a large volume of water to be pushed through the system.

Would this Seaflo Rv Supreme 55Psi/11.3Lpm 12V Water Pump be strong enough to handle my requirements (photo below)?

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Seaflo Rv Supreme 55Psi/11.3Lpm 12V Water Pump

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Any other advice would be appreciated.

Hi everyone!

I work for a large agricultural producer in Kazakhstan. I’ve been fascinated by vertical farming technology for quite some time, so now I would like to convince my company to branch off into this field.

I have been reading up about the technology, completed an online introductory course and now I want to start making steps towards building a commercial VF in Astana or Almaty. However I’m not quite sure where to start exactly, I was hoping you could help me what.

Perhaps there are resources that can help me or communities that can that are willing to share their experiences. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Cheers in advance!

Hello Vertical Farming Experts,

Not trying to promote my podcast that's why I haven't included any links in my post.

I'm here to invite seasoned vertical farmers to be featured guests on my podcast, which celebrates the journeys of individuals with captivating professions, stories of resilience, and those who epitomize the spirit of polymathy.

Vertical farming is a remarkable field, pushing the boundaries of sustainable agriculture and addressing the ever-pressing challenges of our environment. I'm convinced that the world needs to hear your stories, insights, and experiences, and that's why I'm extending this invitation to you.

What to expect as a guest:

1. A spotlight on your expertise: Vertical farming is an industry brimming with innovation and solutions for our future. Your experiences and knowledge deserve a platform.
2. Connection with a broad audience: Our podcast has a diverse, engaged audience eager to learn from experts like you. You'll have the opportunity to inspire aspiring farmers, sustainability enthusiasts, and fellow professionals.
3. Relaxed, insightful conversation: I strive to make every episode an enjoyable, informative experience. You won't need to stress about the interview - it's more like having a friendly chat.
4. Promotion for your vertical farm or initiatives: If you have a farm, online store, or related projects, this is an ideal chance to showcase them to a wider audience.

If you're interested or have any questions, please feel free to send me a direct message or comment below.

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Survey on AI in vertical farming!

https://forms.gle/3NMayogRtsxUe6eu6