Considering starting a vertical farm? Think like a farmer, not an engineer.

Stan Kaplita, co-founder and president of Zeste Farms, said potential CEA growers should not become preoccupied with the technology of any type of production system. Photos courtesy of Zeste Farms

As originally seen in Urban Ag News

Zeste Farms has developed its indoor vertical farm production system to be easy to operate and simple to repair.

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Wisconsin’s Alliant Energy Focus On Energy Grower Win

Exciting news for growers! Hort Americas’ L2000 2 bar light fixture not only supports and improves your harvest but also qualifies for the Alliant Energy (Wisconsin) electric utility’s Focus on Energy rebate program. Our clients response was “Awesome” and led them on their way to secure the maximum $120 prescriptive program rebate per fixture.  This resulted in a triple win by (1) having a satisfied customer, (2) reduced project investment, and (3) improved overall return on investment (ROI).  

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Optimizing the production of cannabinoids in medical cannabis using LED grow lights

An increasing number of controlled environment cannabis growers are transitioning to LED grow lights, which provide increased energy efficiency and efficacy, reduced heat emission, a longer lifespan and spectrum customization, compared to conventional lights, including fluorescent and high-pressure sodium. Photo courtesy of Wheatfield Gardens

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How Michigan Growers Can Benefit from Electric Utility Rebates and Incentives

In Michigan, growers can access various incentive awards from electric utilities when they undertake energy-efficient construction projects (new construction or renovation) at their farms or greenhouses. These incentive programs encourage the adoption of energy-efficient practices and technologies. This can lead to significant energy savings and reduced environmental impact.  

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How vine crop growers can reduce waste and labor cost and prevent virus transmission

Hort Americas and Agrifast see the Tomsystem as a simple but elegant piece of agtech that addresses two major issues vine crop greenhouse growers are facing today: labor and sustainability. The Tomsystem replaces traditional crop-supporting methods. Besides the sustainability benefits, the process also lowers the labor cost per hectare, providing the grower a significant net economic gain.

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NC State’s Collado and Hernandez Research Cannabis Water Use Under Supplemental Light

North Carolina State University researchers Professor Ricardo Hernandez and Cristian Collado worked with Current’s Arize® Element L1000 LED top lighting in a greenhouse setting to explore the impact of light levels on the production of cuttings, plant growth, flower production, quality, and water use of a cannabis sativa variety commonly cultivated for its high levels of CBD. The impact of different levels of light throughout the vegetative and reproductive phases of growth was isolated by controlling all other environmental factors, such as temperature, fertigation, CO2, and water usage.

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