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SWEDEN: Vinnova Grants Swegreen And Research Partners 9,1 MSEK Funding For An AI-driven Vertical Farming Project
Nov 13, 2020
Swegreen, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and Mälardalen University team up in an innovation and research cluster named AIFood - From Farm to Fork.
Swedish AgTech rising star Swegreen, together with research partners RISE and Mälardales University, secures funding from Vinnova, for a 9,1 MSEK project aiming to develop further Swegreens’ platform for AI-driven vertical farming and to evolve a digitalized supply chain from farm to fork.
The research partners Swegreen, Mälardalen University and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, have teamed up together to digitalize the urban farming industry and restructure the urban food industry towards climate neutrality by help of Artificial Intelligence. The core for the partners research is Swegreens’ innovation for hyper-local vertical farming and building connected and circular models for integration of those facilities in host buildings.
The cluster started off earlier this year with the project ‘NeigbourFood’, funded with 2 MSEK by Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova, to further develop a data-driven monitoring and optimization for precision farming in closed-loop indoor environment for Swegreen’s offer for Farming as a Service FaaS. The clusters' new project, called ‘AIFood’, has now been granted with 9,1 MSEK, corresponding to approx. 1 Million USD, to enhance the local and sustainable food production systems in urban environments with help of digital technologies.
– A data-driven approach on Vertical Farming has been Swegreens’ main focus from day one, and sustainability is embedded in our DNA as a greentech company, Andreas Dahlin, CEO of Swegreen, says.
– Hand in hand with our technological development, our concrete collaboration with the leading research and academic institutions of Sweden gives us the upper hand to lead this industry’s development as a spearhead enterprise – and our partnership with RISE and Mälardalen University keeps our position on the edge of the development, globally speaking, Andreas Dahlin continues.
The call ‘AI in the service of the climate’ has been launched by the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova to support initiatives that focus on use of Artificial Intelligence for minimizing various industries' climate-negative impact. The agricultural and food sector accounts for 30% of the global GHG emissions, and vertical farming can create urban symbiosis as a key factor for resource efficiency and integration of farming facilities into urban infrastructure for significant global greenhouse gas emission cutback.
The ‘AIFood’ project runs for two years and focuses on a proof of concept for autonomous orchestration of vertical farming facilities modeling, and on development of an AI-based platform for precision farming, integration of vertical farms into host buildings, and autonomous interaction of the production facilities with the after-harvest actors.
Dr. Baran Cürüklü, from Mälardalen University – a vibrant AI development academic center – is the Project Lead for the cluster.
– AI can go beyond narrow and specific contributions. In this project, our aim is to demonstrate that complex and intricate systems can be orchestrated by AI, and contribute to rapid transition to a more sustainable agriculture, and even innovative services connecting the whole chain from producer to citizens, says Dr. Baran Cürüklü.
The project has a close collaboration with two other national project platforms as reference groups: Sharing Cities Sweden, a national platform for sharing economy with four testbeds in Stockholm, Umeå, Gothenburg, and Lund and a cluster called Fastighetsdatalabb which focuses on data-related advancement of the real-estate sector.
Dr. Charlie Gullström, a senior researcher at RISE, Sweden’s major research institution and head of Sharing Cities Sweden’s Stockholm testbed, plays an indispensable role in this project. She convenes an interdisciplinary climate panel connected to this project including household name researchers who focus on the climate aspect of the project. Dr. Alex Jonsson from RISE is another senior researcher that attends to the needs for the project from a technical perspective.
Dr. Gullström adds:
– I believe that urban food production can speed up climate transition because it has the potential to engage citizens in local consumption and circular business models that both reduce food waste and unnecessary transports. AI allows us to explore how to complement existing agricultural systems by actively involving stakeholders in the value chain as a whole. In this way, AIFOOD really points the way to a new green deal.
Sepehr Mousavi, Chief Innovation Officer of Swegreen remarks:
– We are proud of this collaboration with leading Swedish research institutions and researchers and see it as a successful model for how a private entity could collaborate with academia and offer its assets as a research infrastructure for the good of the whole industry, in a planet and prosperity win-win model.
– This green transformation of the food sector is dependent on empowering factors such as innovation and circularity enhancement, a connectivity-based and data-driven approach through the whole chain; and the application of Artificial Intelligence as an exponential enabler. Autonomous control of the vertical farming facilities for maximum resource efficiency, scalability and preciseness of operations is of extreme and fundamental importance for both the industry and our company to move forward, adds Sepehr Mousavi.
Sepehr Mousavi
Chief Innovation Officer
+46(0)733140043
Tags#AI#SweGreen#ArtificialIntelligence#smartcities#foodtech#faas#Viablecities#RISE#MälardalenUniversity#agriculture
INDIA: Simply Fresh Receives ‘Telangana Best Brand Award’ by CMO Asia
The awards recognize, identify, and celebrate outstanding brand building & marketing initiatives by organizations, individuals, and teams for their innovation, uniqueness, consistency, and performance
The Award Recognizes The Best
And Most Innovative Brands Across Categories
Hyderabad, 01 December 2020: Simply Fresh, has been awarded the ‘Telangana Best Brand’ award by CMO Asia ‘2020. The award was presented at a virtual felicitation ceremony. The awards recognize, identify, and celebrate outstanding brand building & marketing initiatives by organizations, individuals, and teams for their innovation, uniqueness, consistency, and performance.
Simply Fresh, an innovative agri-tech startup, using precision farming techniques, has commissioned India’s largest 140-acre ‘Plant Factory’ in Telangana. The company uses plant profiling & nutrient management in climate-controlled greenhouses. The greenhouses have retractable roofs & walls, are equipped with growing systems (benches, gutters, pots, etc.), and supported by AI-driven fertigation and irrigation system. Simply Fresh leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) through its proprietary software Farm in A Box (FiAB), which tracks the plant’s life cycle from the initial stage of seeding, plant profiling, monitoring plant health, and nutrient level requirement at each stage of growth. This gives the brand ‘Simply Fresh’ the unique attributes of transparency and ensures quality and consistency in the product.
Speaking on the recognition Mr. Sachin Darbarwar, Founder and CEO of Simply Fresh India said “It is a great honour to receive the award from CMO Asia this year. The award encourages us to work hard and bring outstanding quality for produce including nutraceutical crops, medicinal & aromatic plants, leafy greens, and vine crops using precision farming techniques; for the customers through sustainable agriculture practices.”
About Simply Fresh India:
Simply Fresh Private Limited was founded in 2013 by two Indian software engineers, based in Australia, Sachin Darbarwar (CEO) and Shweta Darbarwar (CMO). With a strong understanding of the technical processes associated with farming techniques, the duo shifted back to their hometown Hyderabad, where they started implementing the latest farming techniques that are inspired by international farming practices.
Simply Fresh uses global technology in farming based on international standards using precision farming techniques. The farm uses AI technology in farming for growing, nourishing, picking, and processing. Farming uses sustainable practices that do not exhaust natural resources. Simply Fresh Farms produces a full line of Medicinal plants and fresh produce year-round at our greenhouses located in Hyderabad. They are a grower-owned processor adhering to industry-leading food safety and quality standards.
For more information please Visit Us on: simplyfresh.co.in
For more information please contact: KONNECTIONS
Anurag Kumar - 8686072400 / anurag.kumar@konnections.co.in
Vertical Farming In New Jersey
Indoor farming represents the cultivation of crops in a controlled environment thus allowing for year-round growing. This approach to growing food includes a range of methods such as greenhouse production, hydroponics, aeroponics, plant factories, and vertical farming
November 19, 2020
By Eric Stein
Introduction
Vertical and indoor farming is an emerging growth industry and New Jersey is show-casing itself as a leader in the field. Some of the most well-known companies like AeroFarms, Bowery Farming, and Element Farms have made New Jersey their home in part due to the proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, which represent huge markets for food and dining out. This post will highlight the impacts these and other indoor farms are having in the Garden State.
What is Indoor Farming?
Indoor farming represents the cultivation of crops in a controlled environment thus allowing for year-round growing. This approach to growing food includes a range of methods such as greenhouse production, hydroponics, aeroponics, plant factories, and vertical farming.
Many new technologies and methods are used to fine-tune nutrient delivery, water use, climate conditions and artificial lighting to create optimal growing conditions using fewer resources. These innovative designs and technologies help make indoor farming methods more sustainable and allow for the production of fresh vegetables and greens anywhere throughout the year.
Benefits of Indoor Farming
The benefits of indoor farming are numerous. Some argue that on a macro scale indoor farming addresses many of the concerns regarding traditional food production methods such as the over-use of pesticides, the consumption of freshwater, soil erosion, and nutrient loading. Furthermore, some argue that it offers a new way to feed an ever increasing world population, which is expected to climb to over 9 billion by 2050.
On a micro level, indoor and vertical farming offers sustainable growing practices, higher yields with the use of less water and space, pesticide-free fresh foods, consistent quality, stable pricing, year-round availability, and local production close to urban centers. The appearance of Covid-19 has highlighted the weakness of long-distance food supply chains in the United States, pointing towards the importance of local and sustainable food sources.
Why New Jersey?
New Jersey has a long agricultural history dating back to pre-colonial times, which is how it acquired its name as the “Garden State.” Traditional cultivation methods of NJ’s fertile land have earned New Jersey its spot as a top producer of several horticultural crops. New Jersey ‘s cultivation of over 720,000 acres is thus seen as vital part of a multi-billion-dollar industry totaling over $115 billion (2019). However, in recent years, the high cost of land and urban encroachment of farmlands has become a serious concern for the state. New Jersey has experienced the highest decline of farmland and rural open land in the United States.
Limited available farmland has pushed some producers into urban and peri-urban areas. Others have been enticed with investments and tax incentives to move operations to urban areas across the Garden State. Companies like AeroFarms, Bowery and others have established themselves in New Jersey’s cities and are benefitting consumers with local fresh foods, offering employment opportunities, and championing urban development initiatives and partnerships.
Bowery Farming in Kearny, NJ
Headquartered in New York City, Bowery Farming has farms in Kearny, NJ, Maryland, and Washington DC. Bowery’s recent series B funding led by a $90 million investment by GGV brings the indoor vertical farming company’s venture funding to $117.5 million. The indoor farm in Kearny produces arugula, basil, crispy leaf, and butterhead lettuce in a repurposed industrial space using Bowery’s proprietary technologies, which help to collect data and optimize production. According to its website, the farm claims to be 100 times more productive on the same amount of land and use 90% less water than traditional agricultural methods. Bowery Farming’s produce is now available in over 650 retail stores in the Mid-Atlantic area making it one of the larger producers of vertically farmed greens and herbs in the U.S.
“Climate events continue to disrupt the way food is grown and distributed, and the pandemic exacerbated the vulnerabilities in our already fragile food system. We need a more resilient solution focused on the future, and that’s exactly what we’re building at Bowery,” says Irving Fain, Founder & CEO of Bowery Farming. “Our growth has been driven by consumer demand for safer and more transparently grown produce, and our ability to provide a consistent and reliable supply to our retail partners. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a dynamic team at Bowery that is relentlessly committed to innovation, strengthening our food system, and increasing access to fresh, healthy food.”
In addition to employing local residents, community partnerships with Bowery include a New Jersey food rescue effort, Table to Table, the Maryland Food Bank, DC Central Kitchen, and Teens for Food Justice.
AeroFarms in Newark, NJ
AeroFarms operates a 70,000 square foot farm in a former steel mill in Newark, NJ. They are also building vertical farms in Danville, VA, and in Dubai. AeroFarms raised $100 million in a 2019 funding round, bringing its total funding to over $238 million. Additionally, the company benefits from a grant of $11.14 million in tax incentives over 10 years from the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program, which encouraged them to move to New Jersey. These incentives included requirements for AeroFarms to bring operations into economically depressed areas and make capital improvements to the buildings they occupy.
Their Dream Greens brand features blends of baby greens and microgreens for local retail sales. AeroFarms uses a proprietary aeroponics method to produce its greens. Aerofarms offers fully-controlled indoor vertical farming with 390 times greater productivity per square foot annually vs. traditional field farming while using 95% less water and zero pesticides according to its web site and in statements by CEO David Rosenberg. The company highlights its use of advanced sensing technologies, data science, machine vision, and artificial intelligence to achieve these gains.
Moving forward, AeroFarms will be partnering with the city of Jersey City to create a municipal vertical farm. It is a part of the World Economic Forum’s Healthy Cities and Communities 2030 Initiative whereby produce from its vertical farms are delivered to people in the community. AeroFarms also has partnerships with Table to Table and Matriark Foods in New Jersey.
Other Smaller Indoor Farms in New Jersey
Element Farms produces a variety of baby greens and salad mixes in their greenhouse hydroponics operation which is housed in a new 70,000 square foot facility in Lafayette, NJ, about an hour northwest of Newark. Almost $700,000 was crowdfunded for their expansion into a new greenhouse facility. Element Farms serves the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania tri-state area and seeks to expand into other states in the future.
Sweetleaf Farm in Andover, NJ, also about 50 minutes northwest of Newark, is a smaller, low-tech operation, run by New Jersey locals Cris and Guy Tuhy. They produce an array of greens, herbs, and microgreens. Some are traditional crops but they found that the use of hydroponics in their greenhouse allowed them to serve their community with locally grown produce year-round, using minimal land and water. Fortunately, they have found the demand for safe, local produce has increased since the pandemic began.
In Freehold, NJ, Beyond Organic Growers has transformed the family’s sod farm into a state of the art greenhouse that houses their vertical farming aeroponics operations. The Reid family grows leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and some specialty crops. In addition to the sales of their produce, they have an organic juice bar on-premise and they host events such as farm-to-table dinners and yoga classes in the greenhouse.
Non-Profit Indoor Farms
The town of Robbinsville, NJ created one of the first municipal indoor farms in 2017 using a box container farm purchased rom Freight Farms. The program allows for community participation and provides healthy fresh foods to those in need.
Greens Do Good is a nonprofit organization producing lettuce, microgreens, and basil in Hackensack, NJ to benefit its customers and a portion of the proceeds go to autistic members of the community. The organization offers individuals with autism the opportunity to work alongside their farmers. They also donate 100% of their proceeds to the REED Foundation for Autism, a nonprofit organization that supports adults with autism by providing continuing education, life experience, and work opportunities so they can achieve greater independence and participate meaningfully in their communities.
Kula Urban Farm in Asbury Park, NJ includes a mix of traditional farming and a greenhouse for various hydroponic crops. The farm is run by the non-profit organization Interfaith Neighbors as part of a larger array of programs addressing homelessness and food insecurity in the community.
Summary
In New Jersey, not only are we are seeing an interesting mix of businesses large and small as part of a growing industry but also non-profits benefitting the populations they serve. Vertical and indoor farming ventures are versatile in the ways they can operate in the community by bringing fresh healthy foods, sustainable practices, and new opportunities for education and employment. We look forward to seeing how indoor farming continues to add to the rich history of agriculture in the state of New Jersey.
Tags: Industry Snapshot, Knowledge Base, Learning
This 2-Acre Vertical Farm Produces More Than ‘Flat Farms’ That Are Using 720 Acres
The company’s method for growing greens, like baby kale and lettuce, on giant vertical racks, moved around by robotics recently garnered $400 million in investment capital from the likes of SoftBank, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and former Google chairman Eric Schmidt
By Andy Corbley
Nov 24, 2020
Another massively successful vertical farming startup is pushing the future of farming towards the sky, literally and figuratively.
From an ag-tech startup named Plenty, a two-acre indoor vertical farm produces yields that would normally require a 720-acre ‘flat farm’—and it can be done with 95% less water.
Saving water is critical in an agricultural state like arid California, where Plenty is set to supply fresh produce for 430 Albertsons grocery stores.
Plenty
The vision is truly one out of Star Trek, with Plenty’s use of robotics and artificial intelligence to ensure perfect plants year-round.
The reasons to support indoor vertical farming are varied, ranging from climate-related benefits to removing cumbersome logistical challenges like long-distance transportation.
The company’s website says the technology “frees agriculture from the constraints of weather, seasons, time, distance, pests, natural disasters, and climate” that makes GMO-free nutrient-rich plants at scale with “extraordinary flavor.”
Perhaps that is why Driscoll’s, America’s largest fresh berry farmers, have agreed to grow their strawberries year-round in Plenty’s expanding portfolio of vertical farms.
And investors are seeing the potential of seeding their own portfolios with Plenty.
The company’s method for growing greens, like baby kale and lettuce, on giant vertical racks, moved around by robotics recently garnered $400 million in investment capital from the likes of SoftBank, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and former Google chairman Eric Schmidt.
Time to grow
Reductions in transportation chains would eliminate millions of tons of CO2 every year, since instead of importing produce into city centers from farms across the country or the world, you could order it from a warehouse on the edge of town.
Furthermore, Plenty’s farms grow non-GMO crops without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and recycle every drop of water that’s not used, making them extremely friendly to the environment—except for their power usage.
A spokesperson told GNN they were using 100% renewable energy for their flagship farm in San Francisco, to keep emissions down.
Bathed in sun-mimicking LED lights in climate-controlled spaces year-round, the farm ensures veggies grow at an astounding rate, which produces 350-times more food per acre.
Supply-chain breakdowns resulting from COVID-19 and natural disruptions like this year’s California wildfires, demonstrate the need for a predictable and durable supply of produce can only come from vertical farming, says Nate Storey, co-founder of Plenty.
This will be all the more important if continual warming of the planet leads to droughts or other climate-related disruptions that can’t be overcome by farmers and biologists attempting to make crops more climate and drought-resistant.
MORE: The Largest Urban Rooftop Farm in the World is Now Bearing Fruit (and More) in Paris
Furthermore, vegetables and fruits contain far more micronutrients than cereals, but they also spoil fast and therefore are more expensive. Nations and inner cities that have to import all fresh produce places the poorest in the society at an extreme disadvantage nutritionally speaking. Vertical farming could be the way to solve that problem permanently.
Not only that, Plenty told GNN they have introduced new packaging that is not only made of recycled plastic, it is 100% recyclable, and it keeps food fresh longer to cut food waste.
TAGS Innovation Technology California Food Agriculture Eco-Friendly
GoodLeaf Produce Gets ‘Ontario Made’ Designation
Nutrient-dense microgreens and baby greens are harvested daily at GoodLeaf Farms’ innovative indoor vertical farm in Guelph, Ont., using sustainable practices and the latest technology
November 26, 2020
Food in Canada Staff
GoodLeaf Farms entire product line of healthy, Ontario-grown leafy greens has been approved for the Ontario Made designation.
Nutrient-dense microgreens and baby greens are harvested daily at GoodLeaf Farms’ innovative indoor vertical farm in Guelph, Ont., using sustainable practices and the latest technology. Because the farm is indoors, using specialized LED lighting to mimic the rays of the spring sun to optimize photosynthesis, the fully automated farm gives Ontario residents the chance to enjoy fresh local food year-round.
“We are proud to grow and package our fresh microgreens and baby greens right here in Ontario,” says Jacquie Needham, Accounts Manager with GoodLeaf Farms.
“Ontario is a leader in agricultural innovation, and our farm leans heavily on innovation to offer what is often the only Ontario option in a mostly imported produce aisle, particularly during the winter.”
The Ontario Made program, created by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), is supported by the government of Ontario and aims to promote and support locally-made products in the midst of the province’s economic recovery. A label has also been developed to help consumers easily identify, access, and purchase products that are made in Ontario.
The GoodLeaf Farms produce designated as Ontario Made are its Asian Micro Blend, Spicy Mustard Medley, Pea Shoots, Micro Arugula, Baby Arugula, and Baby Kale.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the importance of local food,” says Jacquie. “Ontarians are looking for more local food options. It is fresher, tastes better, and is packed with nutrients. The Ontario Made designation will help them identify those choices in the grocery store.”
GoodLeaf’s leafy greens can be found at Loblaws, Fortinos, Longo’s, Zehrs, Your Independent Grocer, and Whole Foods stores across Ontario.
Search GoodLeaf Farms produce and other Ontario Made products at supportontariomade.ca.
Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #OntarioMade and #SupportOntarioMade.
SINGAPORE: Planting The Seeds For The Future of Farming
Agritech Startup I.F.F.I. Is Injecting
Science And Technology Into Agriculture
Mr. Lim (left) saw a big business opportunity in urban agriculture and its importance in food sustainability. He decided to start I.F.F.I. with Mr. Tham (right), who now heads the subsidiary as its chief executive.
BT PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN
NELSON Lim, who co-founded an agritech startup in Singapore, likes to joke that his crops are incredibly pampered.
"They have to have the right food and the right water, they 'listen' to music, and they even get 'massaged' with wind from a fan," he said with a laugh.
His company I.F.F.I. intends to lead the charge in precision farming, an approach in agriculture where crops are researched and monitored to receive exactly what they need for optimal growth.
"You can control everything - how hard or soft you want your vegetable to be, the nutrition level, the sweetness level and much more. This is no magic. It's all due to science and technology," he said.
Tech solutions not only help to improve the yield and quality of crops but address the perennial challenge of manpower, which is one of the largest cost factors in urban farming.
At I.F.F.I's indoor showroom in Tuas, a robotic arm performs seeding, transplanting, and vision checks on areas such as seed quality, plant growth, and pre-harvest plant condition.
The company uses the Internet of Things (IoT) software to help with remote monitoring, while a special water treatment system reduces bacteria growth and improves yield rate.
Racks for the crops are also customized to different heights and sizes for precision farming, while a customized light spectrum was designed so that crops are cultivated in an optimum way.
I.F.F.I. was founded a year ago as a subsidiary of TranZplus, a precision machinery and components manufacturer.
TranZplus was one of the main vendors for Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific (PFSAP), when Panasonic began venturing into indoor farming five to six years ago and needed to manufacture some racks.
It was then that Mr. Lim, who was then TranZplus' chief executive, met Alfred Tham, the deputy general manager of PFSAP's agricultural unit. Mr. Lim saw a big business opportunity in urban agriculture and its importance in food sustainability.
He decided to start I.F.F.I. (which stands for Indoor Farm Factory Innovation) with Mr. Tham, who now heads the subsidiary as its chief executive.
Mega farm with mega ambition
I.F.F.I. was one of only nine urban farms that were offered a total of S$39.4 million in grants by the Singapore Food Agency in August to support local food production.
The company is planning to launch a 38,000 square foot mega indoor farm by the middle of next year. The farm, which is under development at JTC Space @ Tuas, is expected to churn out 800 kg to 1,000 kg of produce per day. It will be able to accommodate about 12 layers of racks for crops, Mr. Tham said.
Mr Lim described the current Covid-19 crisis as a "wake-up call for everyone". With the pandemic sparking concerns over food security and protectionism by food-producing nations, Singapore's ability to rely on local resources has become more important than ever, he said.
The city-state has a "30 by 30" goal to produce 30 percent of nutritional needs locally by 2030. The current figure stands at less than 10 percent.
Vertical indoor farming will be a huge driver of this growth because of its ability to maximize the use of space in land-scarce Singapore, Mr. Lim said.
I.F.F.I's ambitions are not limited to the borders of Singapore. In food-producing countries that are dependent on seasonal crops, the company sees opportunities in helping enterprises and traditional farmers grow their produce indoors under controlled conditions all year round.
The startup's core business model would be to serve as consultants and designers to businesses looking to set up urban farms. It is currently in discussion with three potential clients - one is in traditional farming and looking to automate some processes, another is in the logistics industry and the third is in the marine sector.
In February, I.F.F.I. signed a memorandum of understanding with a manufacturing company in China to set up a joint venture called I.F.F.I. China. The China facility will feature an indoor farm, a salad cafe with produce from the farm, and a gym facility.
The company also has a collaboration with Singapore firm Pure Active Water, which distributes the French patented ActivH2O water treatment technology.
A few investors have already approached I.F.F.I. and shown "great interest", said Mr. Tham. The company is currently in negotiation with them.
Talent and education
One of the company's biggest goals is to spark interest in farming and help drive research in this sector.
"You don't see many people studying hard to try to go into farming," Mr Lim said with a wry smile.
"Can you imagine if we put 'hiring for a farmer' in our job scope? It's a finished game!"
Thankfully, educational institutions have been working closely with the government and private sector to teach youth about the newest farming technologies.
Mr Tham, for instance, is an associate lecturer at Republic Polytechnic for the school's diploma in urban agricultural technology.
I.F.F.I. plans to dedicate a space within its upcoming mega farm for a training and R&D center. The center will host workshops, seminars, institute courses, and research collaborations for crop recipes and farming methods.
A farm-to-table cafe parked next to a cultivation showroom is also in the works, with the aim to let consumers appreciate the value of fresh homegrown indoor crops.
I.F.F.I's parent company TranZplus has about 50 staff, and Mr. Tham, Mr. Lim, and I.F.F.I general manager Dorothy Wong are the key members leading the subsidiary.
As the company expands on its ambitions, I.F.F.I plans to hire 30 to 40 staff, mostly for its mega farm.
"We want to change the mindset of people, and how they look at farming," Mr Tham said. "Farming can also be very sexy!"
Benefits of Vertical Agriculture And Hydroponics
With a growing population and resource needs, the availability of arable land is going to decrease substantially. Consequently, such rapidly pressing needs should be matched by a higher rate of food production
Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.
It is estimated that 11 percent, or 1.5 billion hectares, of the world’s land is used for crop production, which represents over a third of the total land suitable for crop production. With a growing population and resource needs, the availability of arable land is going to decrease substantially. Consequently, such rapidly pressing needs should be matched by a higher rate of food production.
What alternative solutions are there and what would they provide?
Throughout modern agriculture, conventional systems use large amounts of space, freshwater, fertilizer, and pesticides to maximize yield production and crop health to ensure food security, which unsustainable when looking into a future of widespread environmental and socioeconomic change.
In response, contemporary methods need to evolve to meet the current and predicted requirements of a growing world population.
Alternative solutions include the use of structural modifications such as vertical agriculture as well as entire systems by incorporating elements such as hydroponics, aeroponic, and aquaponics.
These strategies do not require fertile land to be effective, they require less water and space compared with the conventional agricultural systems and are able to increase the yield per unit of area. Additionally, these strategies use significantly fewer agrichemicals, which are potentially harmful to humans and animals.
As such, two strategies that hold promising interests is the implementation of vertical agricultural systems as well as hydroponics.
Integrating verticality into the design of agricultural systems
Agricultural systems have typically been spread over large spans of land as far as the eye can see. The reduction in arable land as well as the increase in demand to house growing populations, however, means that such strategies need to be reconsidered.
Rather than horizontal systems, large vertical walls covered crops can be used instead. These vertical layouts can employ soil, water, or air-powered systems to manage crops, and can be contained in greenhouses, warehouses, or other such facilities.
As a result, vertical agricultural systems, also known as verticulture, can encompass varying sizes and be located within many different areas from the middle of highly urbanized cities to more suburban or rural areas. The verticality aspect can also enhance nutrient and water flow, helping to reuse costly resources in a much better way than traditional methods, as demonstrated by an Indonesian research team in a study published earlier this year.
The potential location of vertical systems means that the cost of transport is nearly nullified as consumers may access them within urban areas. Moreover, the enclosed feature of verticulture means that pests and parasites are easily controlled, reducing the use of pesticides to a minimum. Finally, the reduction in space required means that there is a significant increase in yield per area, holding extensive potential for a future world of urbanization.
Despite such benefits, several limitations persist. Specifically, it is currently difficult and expensive to construct and manage such systems, which has limited their popularity. Some additional costs are also to be considered, particularly the artificial lighting that is required to help the plants grow. However, technological advances may help reduce the economic pressure of sustaining vertical systems as well as improve the overall efficiency of implementing these systems.
The development of hydroponic strategies
The transformation of agricultural systems may also include changes in applied strategies. For instance, transitioning from primary soil-based systems may provide a range of advantages, particularly in a world undergoing considerable changes in environmental conditions.
In particular, the advent of hydroponic systems represents a strategy of soilless agriculture since it uses mineral nutrient solutions in aqueous solvents to grow crops.
By relying essentially on water and nutrients, hydroponic systems are able to reduce the requirement of space and pesticides. Crop demands for nutrients and water can be controlled precisely to optimize growth and adjust to other conditions. Additionally, hydroponics can be used with other strategies, such as verticulture, and be used to address additional non-agricultural issues in urban areas.
Indeed, not only are hydroponic systems easily manageable, but they can also help mitigate issues of sanitation and animal waste processing. For instance, a recent study by African researchers earlier this year demonstrated how treated municipal wastewater can be used to establish hydroponic systems that produce healthy and sustainable crops for consumption. Additionally, a German study from 2016 designed a double recirculating system based on fish waste as fertilizer for tomato plants, with very promising results.
Nonetheless, hydroponic systems rely heavily on water and management measures, making it an expensive solution even to this day. It is therefore difficult to implement such systems at much larger scales, particularly as water scarcity is increasingly frequent and severe in many regions around the globe. In response, the combination of hydroponics with other strategies including recirculating systems or vertical designs may hold additional potential.
Image Credit: Peter Acker/Shutterstock.com
Alternative strategies in an era of global environmental and socioeconomic changes
Conventional agricultural systems have considerable dependencies on space and resources. Using strategies such as vertical designs and elements including hydroponics could be sustainable alternatives as they require less water, less fertilizer, and less space. Such benefits are key to consider in a rapidly changing world, particularly in terms of saving space and energy.
Rising global temperatures and the increased frequency, as well as the severity of extreme weather events, has considerable implications for crop production around the world. Moreover, geographic regions that are predicted to undergo the most environmental changes are ones that are already under socioeconomic stress, therefore exacerbating existing disparities. In response, alternative strategies that incorporate elements of sustainability are urgently required.
However, many limitations remain when considering alternative agricultural systems. In particular, the cost-effectiveness of designing and implementing such strategies may be out of reach of many regions. In response, technological advances are expected to improve our understanding of crop management and reduce the costs of strategy implementation, which can directly help to inform sustainable strategies to increase efficiency and decrease reliance on resources.
Ultimately, strategies are likely to be used in combination to complement one another and reduce the limitations that may occur. Such a coalition of strategies holds promising potential for addressing current as well as future socioeconomic and environmental challenges, yet considerable research is still required to refine such a cause.
References
Ichwan, N. et al. (2020) ‘Shallot’s growth and production under sub-surface irrigation in vertical agriculture (verticulture) system’, IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. IOP Publishing, 454, p. 12044. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/454/1/012044.
Magwaza, S. T. et al. (2020) ‘Hydroponic technology as decentralized system for domestic wastewater treatment and vegetable production in urban agriculture: A review’, Science of The Total Environment, 698, p. 134154. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134154.
Suhl, J. et al. (2016) ‘Advanced aquaponics: Evaluation of intensive tomato production in aquaponics vs. conventional hydroponics’, Agricultural Water Management, 178, pp. 335–344. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2016.10.013.
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Further Reading
Artificial Intelligence could help the agriculture industry meet increasing food demands
Leaf litter converted to biochar could reduce N20 emissions from vegetable fields
The use of natural hydrogels in food and agriculture practices
Lead photo: Image Credit: YEINISM/Shutterstock.com
Last Updated: Nov 26, 2020
Scottish Technology Firm, IGS, Named As A 2020 Red Herring Top 100 North America Winner
IGS is an agritech innovator delivering state-of-the-art vertical farming technology designed to help producers improve the productivity of their crops – including yield, quality and consistency – whilst dramatically driving down the cost of power and labour
30 November 2020
Scottish-based agritech and smart spaces business, IGS Limited, has been named amongst the winners of Red Herring’s Top 100 North America 2020 event, which recognises some of the world’s most exciting and innovative technology companies.
IGS is an agritech innovator delivering state-of-the-art vertical farming technology designed to help producers improve the productivity of their crops – including yield, quality and consistency – whilst dramatically driving down the cost of power and labour. The company was shortlisted from thousands of entries before being invited to present at Red Herring’s virtual conference on November 17th and 18th where they were selected to join the final 100 winners.
Previous winners of the awards include household names such as Alibaba, Kakao, Skype, Spotify, Twitter and YouTube.
David Farquhar, CEO of IGS, commented: “We are delighted to see IGS included in the Red Herring’s Top 100 North America 2020 list. It’s an incredible accolade for a relatively small company based in Scotland to have been recognised alongside major global players in the world of technology and innovation. This achievement is truly testament to the ingenuity and forward-thinking approach of our team.”
Industry experts, insiders and journalists who examined the entrants against a wide variety of criteria including financial performance, innovation, business strategy, and market penetration. Winners were selected from a wide variety of verticals, from FinTech and Artificial Intelligence to Security, IoT, and many more industries.
“2020’s crop of Top 100 winners has been among our most intriguing yet,” said Red Herring chairman Alex Vieux, “What has excited me most is to see so many people forging niches in high-tech and cutting-edge sectors. Some of the technical wizardry and first-rate business models showcased at the conference has been fantastic to learn about. We believe IGS embodies the drive, skill and passion on which tech thrives. IGS should be proud of its achievement - the competition was incredibly strong.”
A full list of the 2020 Red Herring Top 100 North America Winners is available here.
Ends
Notes to editors:
For more information: please contact Kate Forster on kate@intelligentgrowthsolutions.com / +44 7787 534999 or Georgia Lea on georgia@intelligentgrowthsolutions.com / +44 7897 539954.
About IGS:
Founded in 2013, IGS brought together decades of farming and engineering experience to create an agritech business with a vision to revolutionise the indoor growing market. Its commitment to innovation has continued apace and it has evolved the applications of its technology beyond agriculture to create solutions for a wide variety of indoor environments which enhance life for people, plants and animals.
IGS launched its first vertical farming demonstration facility in August 2018, based at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie.
For more information visit www.intelligentgrowthsolutions.com or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
A Look At Geoponic Technology For Vertical Farming
It involves growing plants within soil or an aggregate, which is probably the most familiar option to people who are not agriculture professionals
November 26, 2020
You’ve probably heard people talk about how vertical farms and their space-saving approaches to agriculture could help promote future food security and bring produce closer to those who consume it.
Many of today’s currently operating or planned vertical farms use hydroponic methods to grow the plants in water or aeroponic techniques where growers suspend the plants in the air and mist them. However, some vertical farms also use geoponic technology. It involves growing plants within soil or an aggregate, which is probably the most familiar option to people who are not agriculture professionals.
Here’s a glimpse at what’s possible when agricultural companies combine vertical farming with the latest options in geoponic technology.
Letting people pick their produce from the wall
When most shoppers visit the produce department in a grocery store, they pick items from shelves or bins. Such setups are still the most common across the world, but that could change due to geoponic technology that allows grocery stores to grow produce up their walls.
In New York, Evergreen Kosher Market introduced consumers to a 20-foot-high “wall farm,” where each offering sits in an individual pot. Shoppers can pick from a selection of arugula, basil, kale, lettuce, and cilantro. These products are pesticide-free and raised in soil free from bug exposure. Moreover, this type of farming yields a new crop every week, meaning the products are always in season for the people who want to buy them.
Getting optimal results with energy-efficient lights
Certain kinds of energy-efficient lights also cause positive effects for the crops. For example, the high-pressure sodium lights used in conventional horticultural lighting can get too hot and damage plants.
That’s why Canada’s GoodLeaf Community Farms used light-emitting diode (LED) options at its vertical farm. That way, the plants can grow as close as six inches from the light sources without encountering excessive warmth. The agricultural operation also uses a preset spectrum for the light output, specially chosen for providing an optimal level of brightness across the facility, which grows kale, broccoli, arugula, and peas in a peat-based medium.
Trying to solve the food crisis
People are increasingly concerned about the logistics associated with getting produce to individuals who live in urban areas or may otherwise have difficulty accessing nutritious foods. Many challenges exist.
For example, as produce travels to its destination, long routes can increase emissions that pollute the planet. Moreover, a shortage of available farmland could exacerbate food shortages for people everywhere.
One of the top advantages of vertical farming compared to other types is that it can happen in substantially smaller spaces than conventional agricultural efforts require. That feature makes it especially appropriate for the world’s sprawling areas that may not have expansive stretches of land to use for farming.
Statistics indicate that urban areas will likely contain 68% of the world’s population by 2050. People in some cities enjoy fresh produce through methods such as community-tended rooftop gardens. Geoponic vertical farms could offer another possibility.
One company sells shipping container-style gardens that can fit in parking lots and use geoponic technology. Destinations such as shopping centers and apartment complexes could start featuring those as competitive advantages. They’d give people quicker and more convenient access to produce than shopping in stores allows.
Sticking to soil-based methods while embracing new technologies
Most companies specializing in vertical farming mention their soil-free options. However, as the examples here show, geoponic-based methods can support non-horizontal agriculture methods, too. That reality could make some people more eager to get involved with this approach to growing food.
For example, many households have soil-based gardens in their backyards but are less familiar with hydroponic and aeroponic options that do not require dirt. If a person wants to get involved in vertical farming with a reduced learning curve, geoponic options could be their best bets.
All kinds of vertical farming approaches typically use sensors that ensure the crops get enough light, water, and nutrients. This lower-waste approach promotes a more sustainable future and could lead to higher yields throughout the year rather than in smaller seasonal windows.
For these reasons and others, vertical farming is worth following for the foreseeable future. It’ll undoubtedly be interesting to see the geoponic-specific use cases and companies that arrive on the market, too.
YouTube: Vertical Farming at NY Farm-to-Table Restaurant Amid COVID-19
Photo credit: The feature image is owned by Evergreen Kosher and Vertical Field. The plant close-up photo was taken by Kathleen Phillips for Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The photo showing a design engineer was prepared by This is Engineering.
Source: Evergreen Kosher press release on New Hope Network / Mark Halper (LEDs Magazine) / Aaron Reich (Jerusalem Post)
PODCAST: Learn About Urban Farming And The Technologies Fueling This Industry
We also talk about the brief history of hydroponics
Joe Swartz & Nick Greens | 11/27/2020
Learn about Urban Farming and the technologies fueling this industry. We also talk about the brief history of hydroponics.
Our new podcast called Polygreens Podcast with Joe Swartz from AmHydro and Nick Greens from Nick Greens Grow Team brings agriculture and technology together in educational episodes. This podcast is about hydroponics, greenhouse, urban farming, vertical indoor farming, and much more.
AUSTRALIA: Sydney's First Underground Farm Reducing Distance Between Paddock And Plate
From pink kale, spicy radish, coriander, basil, and cabbage, the vertical garden is controlled almost entirely by artificial means including fans which imitate a light breeze to help the plans grow
Underneath Sydney's bustling CBD, a group of savvy farmers have designed the city's first underground commercial farm. Four basement levels below the city streets in Barangaroo, in an office tower car park, Urban Green is now the largest vertical farm in Sydney. It features 35 verities of microgreens - seedlings of plants that are usually harvested early before being fully grown.
From pink kale, spicy radish, coriander, basil, and cabbage, the vertical garden is controlled almost entirely by artificial means including fans which imitate a light breeze to help the plans grow. Just four years on from when it first began, Urban Green now provides fresh produce to restaurants and chefs around the city.
Watch the video at 9news.com.au
26 Nov 2020
Leamington, Ontario Greenhouse Opportunity
The surrounding area is one of the best locations for greenhouse growing in Canada and notably possesses more built greenhouse acreage than all of the United States’ industry combined
A brand new 1.3 million sq. ft. state-of-the-art greenhouse is available in Leamington, Ontario. Leamington, well-known as North America’s greenhouse capital, is well connected to major regional population centres in Southern Ontario, Quebec, and northeastern United States. The surrounding area is one of the best locations for greenhouse growing in Canada and notably possesses more built greenhouse acreage than all of the United States’ industry combined.
The glass greenhouse facility, which was completed in 2020 for the purposes of cannabis cultivation, possesses a 24’ clear ceiling height and growing systems which could support both cannabis or general agriculture purposes. The turnkey facility contains a fully automated Priva control system along with full climate control and nutrient delivery systems.
BMO Capital Markets has been engaged to solicit interest in, and opportunities for, a sale of, or investment in, the existing cannabis business and/or the sale of all, or substantially all of the assets owned by the business, including the greenhouse property, with the objective of maximizing value.
The current licensed operations contain 135,000 square feet of licensed nursery infrastructure and cultivation areas with a maximum capacity of ~36,000 plants per room. Low-cost production infrastructure is in place with significant potential operating leverage as the facility scales. The facility was developed using a transformative approach to production, integrating a high degree of automation, lean manufacturing processes, and commercial agricultural best practices.
On September 15, 2020, PharmHouse Inc. (“PharmHouse”) was granted protection pursuant to an order (as amended and restated, the “Initial Order”) issued under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the “Court”). Pursuant to the Initial Order, Ernst & Young Inc. was appointed as a monitor of PharmHouse (in such capacity, the “Monitor”). Pursuant to an order dated October 29, 2020 (the “SISP Approval Order”) the Court approved the sale and investment solicitation process (the “SISP”) and the engagement of BMO Capital Markets as advisor to PharmHouse in respect of the SISP (the “SISP Advisor”).
The SISP is intended to solicit interest in, and opportunities for, a sale of, or investment in, all or part of the assets and/or the business of PharmHouse (the “Opportunity”). The Opportunity may include one or more of a sale of all, substantially all or one or more components of PharmHouse’s property and business as a going concern or otherwise or a potential restructuring, recapitalization or other forms of reorganization of the business and affairs of PharmHouse as a going concern.
The SISP is a two-phased process with the Phase 1 bid deadline set for November 30, 2020.
Those interested in participating in the SISP should contact the SISP Advisor to receive additional information at:
BMO Capital Markets
100 King Street West, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M5X 1H3
Attention: Bradley Harris and Andrew Lai
Email: bradley.harris@bmo.com andrews.lai@bmo.com
Copies of the SISP Approval Order and the SISP may be obtained from the website of the Monitor at www.ey.com/ca/pharmhouse.
Publication date: Thu 26 Nov 2020
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“This event showcases where food is going in the future.” -Neshann C., sponsor, Xchange 2018 | New York, NY
Keynote Address: The Role of Carbon Markets in Advancing
Regenerative Agriculture
Announcing Our final Keynote Speaker
Katie Sullivan serves as Managing Director of IETA, the global multi-sector business voice for the intersection of markets and climate change. Katie currently sits on the Global Steering Committee for the World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC), Boards of the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) and the International CCS Knowledge Centre, and numerous Advisory Panels.
In 2019, Katie Sullivan was recognized as a Clean16 and Clean50 award recipient for contributing to Clean Capitalism Leadership in Canada.
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CubicFarms Systems Corp. Announces C$3.8 Million Sale of Commercial Scale Systems to Farming Customer in Indiana
The Company’s commercial agreement with Vertical Acres is for the sale of 21 CubicFarms machines, including 17 cultivators, three propagators, and one fertigator, for a complete CubicFarm installation
VANCOUVER, B.C., NOVEMBER 25, 2020 – CubicFarm® Systems Corp. (TSXV:CUB) (“CubicFarms” or the “Company”), a technology company developing and deploying technology to feed a changing world, announced today that its automated, controlled-environment growing technology has been selected by Vertical Acres Farm LLC (“Vertical Acres”), an Indiana-based produce company, to grow commercial quantities of fresh produce for the region.
The Company’s commercial agreement with Vertical Acres is for the sale of 21 CubicFarms machines, including 17 cultivators, three propagators, and one fertigator, for a complete CubicFarm installation.
The agreement, which includes a deposit received from Vertical Acres, represents approximately C$3.8 million in anticipated revenue to the Company. The technology is expected to be installed in Indiana in the first half of 2021.
The Company’s patented CubicFarms technology will enable Vertical Acres to grow high-quality foods, with predictable crop yields indoors, all year round.
CubicFarms CEO Dave Dinesen, commented: “We are looking forward to our partnership with Vertical Acres to help them successfully grow high-quality, great tasting, local produce in Indiana, and for the neighbouring regions. Our patented technology should enable them to maximize their production per cubic foot, while greatly reducing the physical footprint of their traditional farming operations.”
Vertical Acres owner Fred Schakel, said: “We evaluated a large number of indoor growing systems and chose CubicFarms as the optimal commercial-scale fresh produce system solution. We love the idea of the perfect growing environment, the fraction of water it takes to grow our greens, and the freedom from contaminants that the Cubic system affords. We are excited that we will be able to supply our local community with fresh, perfect greens every day of the year without the influence of bad weather always weighing on our production model. With CubicFarms’ excellent technology, we are truly looking forward to this partnership.”
Private Placement
The Company also announced that pursuant to a non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”), the owners of Vertical Acres have agreed to purchase 225,500 common shares of the Company at a purchase price of C$0.78 per common share for gross proceeds of C$175,500.
The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes.
Closing of the Offering is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Mr. Schakel commented, “After performing significant due diligence on the Company’s technology, we are excited to further demonstrate our conviction in CubicFarms through this investment in its business.”
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
About CubicFarm® Systems Corp.
CubicFarm Systems Corp. (“CubicFarms”) is a technology company developing and deploying technology to feed a changing world. Its proprietary technologies enable growers around the world to produce high quality, predictable crop yields. CubicFarms has two distinct technologies that address two distinct markets. The first technology is its CubicFarms™ system, which contains patented technology for growing leafy greens and other crops indoors, all year round. Using its unique, undulating-path growing system, the Company addresses the main challenges within the indoor farming industry by significantly reducing the need for physical labour and energy, and maximizing yield per cubic foot. CubicFarms leverages its patented technology by operating its own R&D facility in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, selling the system to growers, licensing its technology and providing vertical farming expertise to its customers.
The second technology is CubicFarms’ HydroGreen system for growing nutritious livestock feed. This system utilizes a unique process to sprout grains, such as barley and wheat, in a controlled environment with minimal use of land, labour and water. The HydroGreen system is fully automated and performs all growing functions including seeding, watering, lighting, harvesting, and re-seeding – all with the push of a button – to deliver nutritious livestock feed without the typical investment in fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, field equipment and transportation. The HydroGreen system not only provides superior nutritious feed to benefit the animal, but also enables significant environmental benefits to the farm.
For more information, please visit www.cubicfarms.com
Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information
Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements with respect to CubicFarms’ expected revenue recognition, and the completion of the sale and installation of the system by the customer. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of CubicFarm Systems Corp., or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information including the Company obtaining the approval of the Offering from the TSX Venture Exchange. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict", and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved.
These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change.
Spread Has Acquired GLOBALG.A.P. Certification At Its Kameoka Plant And Techno Farm Keihanna
Through acquiring the certification, in addition to existing efforts of food and workplace safety management, environmental sustainability and traceability, Spread has updated its processes to incorporate measures for mitigating the risk of infectious diseases, including the novel coronavirus
Spread, the Leading Company in Sustainable Agriculture, has Acquired GLOBALG.A.P. Certification at its Kameoka Plant and Techno Farm Keihanna to Provide Safe, Clean and Healthy Lettuce in the COVID-19 Era
Kyoto, Japan.–Spread Co., Ltd. (HQ: Kyoto, Japan; CEO: Shinji Inada, hereinafter “Spread”） has acquired the internationally recognized GLOBALG.A.P. certification for production management at its vertical farms: Kameoka Plant (Kameoka, Kyoto), a pioneer in reaching profitability at a large scale vertical farm, and next-generation Techno Farm Keihanna, which has successfully achieved major labor savings through unprecedented large scale automation.
Through acquiring the certification, in addition to existing efforts of food and workplace safety management, environmental sustainability, and traceability, Spread has updated its processes to incorporate measures for mitigating the risk of infectious diseases, including the novel coronavirus. Doing so has further reinforced Spread’s ability to produce and supply safe, clean, and healthy lettuce, even in the COVID-19 era.
Purpose of GLOBALG.A.P.’s Acquisition
GLOBALG.A.P. certification is increasingly being recognized as one of the global standards for sustainable agriculture. By acquiring GLOBALG.A.P. Spread strives to reassure retailers and consumers of the strength of its production system and the quality of its produce.
Effects of GLOBALG.A.P.’s Acquisition at Spread
・ Visualization of strict hygiene and product quality standards
・ Raising awareness of the employees through conducting labor safety courses and displaying related information via signs and notices
・ Communicating information about production system safety and environmental sustainability to the stakeholders
Future Developments
Moving forward, the labels of packaged lettuce products from Spread’s GLOBALG.A.P. certified factories will indicate this certification status with a GLOBALG.A.P. Number.
Spread will commit to the continuous enforcement of hygiene and safety management, and the promotion of environmental sustainability through the development of new technologies. By pursuing indoor vertical farming in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders and partners, Spread aims to create a sustainable society and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
GLOBALG.A.P. Overview
G.A.P. is a farm management program and stands for “Good Agricultural Practices.” GLOBALG.A.P. is an international certification that evaluates more than 200 items from the standpoint of food safety, environmental preservation, workplace safety, and traceability. It is demanded of producers, particularly in North America and Europe, when entering into business arrangements with large distributors, and also it is increasingly becoming a food procurement standard at international events.
Kameoka Plant, the Profitability Pioneer of Vertical Farming
Capacity：2.1t/day
Spread’s Kameoka Plant has cracked one of the toughest challenges in commercial vertical farming. Since starting operations in 2007, Spread has developed sophisticated technologies of environmental control, and significantly improved the overall operational efficiency at the Kameoka Plant. Together this has brought the yield rate to 97% and enabled Kameoka Plant to become profitable in 2013.
Techno Farm Keihanna. Massive labor savings thanks to automation Capacity：3t/day
Started operations in 2018. The first vertical farm to utilize next generation food production system Techno FarmTM. At the R&D facility attached to the farm, development of the new cultivation techniques, as well as AI and IoT systems is underway. As the mother plant of Techno FarmTM, Techno Farm Keihanna will serve as the foundation for the never-ending evolution of new technologies.
Innovative technologies, allowing for simultaneous increase in productivity and environmental sustainability:
・ Automated cultivation
・ Recycling of over 90% of the water, used in cultivation
・ Advanced technologies of environmental control
・ LED lighting, tailored for the usage in vertical farm
・ Upgrade in operational efficiency due to IT-based cultivation management system
Next Generation Food Production System Techno FarmTM
Developed by Spread with the help of partner companies, Techno FarmTM builds on the know-how refined at the Kameoka Plant in more than 10 years of its operation. Automated cultivation, water recycling and environmental control technologies specialized LED lighting as well as IoT and AI make for a simultaneous increase in productivity and environmental sustainability. Spread will continue to promote this technology as an essential part of sustainable agriculture.
Over 60 Million Packs Sold in Total*1
Vertically Farmed Vegetables Brand Vegetus
Under the concept of “Easy, Elegant, Full of Flavor”, Vegetus helps to add a fresh new color to dining tables around the world, striving to be sustainable lettuce, good for people and the Earth alike. It is a favorite of children who enjoy our lettuce. Spread’s current lineup includes 3 unique varieties: crunchy Frilly Lettuce, smooth and sweet Pleated Lettuce, and soft yet crispy Fringe Lettuce. Each of these delivers a clean and fresh taste and is rich in beta-carotene. *2
Due to being rich in varieties and extra clean, Vegetus is easy to prepare and fits into any meal, not only salads and sandwiches but brings an extra crunch to soups and other cooked foods.
URL：www.vege–tus.com (Japanese only)
Contribution to SDGs
Examples of Spread’s contribution
・ Goal 2: Zero Hunger – Promotion of sustainable food production
・ Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Labor-saving through automation and digital transformation
・ Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Helping to reduce food loss due to most part of lettuce being edible
・ Goal 13: Climate Action – Promoting resilient agriculture
・ Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Techno FarmTM Partnership Business
Spread contributes to the achievement of SDGs until 2030 through its efforts in vertical farming. Through innovative technologies and an efficient supply chain, it also strives to develop a Global Food Infrastructure and protect food security for the people of the world.
*1 Actual numbers of lettuce, produced and sold by Spread
*2 Vegetus clears Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare standards for the “betacarotene rich” vegetables. (equal or more than 600µg/100g)
[Contact information] Spread Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communication Department
E-mail: info@spread.co.jp
URL: www.spread.co.jp/en
INDIA: Gurgaon Based Startup Nutrient Co Integrates Hydroponics With Yogic Farming Techniques
Gurgaon based startup Nutrient Co, founded by Arpit Jain, harnesses and uses the power of human mind and delivers pesticide-free greens and herbs that are UV sterilized and ozone washed at its state of the art, hydroponic farm, within 2 to 8 hours of its harvest
Gurgaon based startup Nutrient Co, founded by Arpit Jain, harnesses and uses the power of human mind and delivers pesticide-free greens and herbs that are UV sterilized and ozone washed at its state of the art, hydroponic farm, within 2 to 8 hours of its harvest.
After having lost his father and two of his close family members, Gurgaon based entrepreneur says he researched extensively about the growing number of cancer patients in India and factors owing to such an increase and he wasn’t shocked to find our lifestyle, stress, and degraded quality of food we consume as the primary reasons.
Recalling his search for pesticide-free food, he says, “The quality of vegetables and fruits in the capital is so bad, despite India being the largest agro-based economy of the world. The vegetables & fruits from local vendors/ sabziwalas and mandis come through long supply chains. With them, there was always a concern about hygiene, freshness of the produce, and its quality. I even researched and tried some online vendors of imported herbs like basil and parsley, but to my disappointment, they were waxed and chemically treated for longer shelf life.”
Not long after, he began researching about Urban farming technologies, which enables one to trace where their food is coming as opposed to the prevalent mandi model. This is when he opted out of his family-run business and started his own hydroponic farm, which not only consumes 90% lesser water than traditional farming, uses no chemical weed or pest control products, but also decreases the time between harvest and consumption, thereby, increasing the nutritional value of the end product.
What intrigued him, even more, was getting connected with premier spirituality preaching institutes and learning and experiencing how powerful our thoughts are and deeper elements of metaphysics.
The startup dedicated a year to field research to understand the supply chain of traditionally produced crops, use of pesticides, the role of cold storage units, mandi operations, artificially controlled demand & supply, amongst other factors, which made Arpit’s decision to startup even firmer.
Alongside, Arpit was intensively studying and practicing meditative techniques, metaphysics, how our thoughts create vibrations. What influenced his decision to integrate hydroponics and yogic agriculture most was a study conducted by Japanese Businessman Masaru Emoto on how human consciousness can affect the molecular structure of water, later published in his book in 2004.
The entrepreneur says he is personally convinced of the benefits of yogic farming and knows from first-hand experience that when the farm is treated with certain meditative techniques and intentions and not just for profit when it is given those pure yogic vibrations, it flourishes in more ways than one. “I personally experienced the qualitative benefits of the produce from yogic agriculture, providing greater stability of mood, a more positive outlook, a decrease in depression, and improved relationships. And what can explain any of this better than the saying: Jaisa ann waisa mann (What you eat is what you become)”.
The method that start-up follows begins with a process of “seed empowerment” with meditation and positive intention of growth, purity, and strength to the seeds during germination. When the seeds are finally planted, different methods of meditation are used. Physical evidence has been observed by the startup that crops grown from empowered seeds have greater root germination and stronger growth.
Bootstrapped so far, the startup started delivering in September 2020.
The entrepreneur says he is happy with the response they got since inception, managing to get around 50 monthly subscriptions in their first month along with one time sales and almost doubling this number in the following month. This has also ensured that none of their produce goes to waste.
Arpit says he has also managed to enroll half a dozen B2B clients in his bouquet of clients and was surprisingly happy to see the demand for his produce with restaurants and cloud kitchens, who despite of the price difference between hydroponic produce and mandi crops owing to quality weigh quality, taste, and freshness as more important factors for their business than economic benefits.
Slowly and steadily, it aims is to make a qualitative difference in Indian households because “Your health is our priority”.
For more information: Arpit Jain (Founder) Nutrient Co, India contact@nutrientco.in
AppHarvest And Save The Children Team Up To Provide East Kentucky Kids Hands-On Education in Growing Food, Eating Healthy
Through the Grow Green Eat Green project, AppHarvest is working with Save the Children to create and provide indoor hydroponic grow kits to more than 1,600 children and their families in six Eastern Kentucky counties
1,600 Children Receive Hydroponic Grow Kits
As Part of Grow Green Eat Green Project
NOVEMBER 24, 2020 — BEREA, Ky. — Save the Children today announced a new partnership with AgTech leader AppHarvest to help educate children across Eastern Kentucky on how to grow their own nutritious food and the importance of healthy eating. Through the Grow Green Eat Green project, AppHarvest is working with Save the Children to create and provide indoor hydroponic grow kits to more than 1,600 children and their families in six Eastern Kentucky counties.
Participating children – who live in some of the state’s most impoverished counties, including Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Leslie, Owsley, and Perry – are receiving everything they need to help start their own indoor gardens, such as seeds, growing nutrients, and supplies, pots and instructions to help them get growing. They can also receive live instruction via video conference on how to grow their own food from AppHarvest’s farming experts, as well as learn the benefits of hydroponic farming.
“During a time when COVID-19 is having significant, detrimental impacts on children across Eastern Kentucky — including the alarming increase of child hunger across our region — Save the Children is proud to partner with AppHarvest to educate children and families about ways to help end this vicious cycle of food insecurity in the future,” said Alissa Taylor, Save the Children’s Kentucky State Director.
“AppHarvest was founded as a benefit corporation and is also a certified B Corp because we believe companies should be in the business of doing good,” said Amy Samples, Director of Community Outreach and People Programs. “We’re building America’s AgTech capital from within Appalachia and know that education is core to achieving that.”
Virtual instruction for the children will take place with their teachers in the coming days.
Committed to combatting child hunger across Kentucky and rural America, Save the Children has helped prepare and deliver more than 9 million meals as part of its coronavirus response efforts since March. In rural Kentucky alone, Save the Children staff have helped distribute more than 2.5 million nutritious meals to children in some of the state’s most impoverished communities since COVID-19 impacted the region this spring.
Prior to starting operations at its 2.76-million-square-foot indoor farm in Morehead, Ky., AppHarvest invested more than $150,000 in starting a high-tech container farm educational program. The program retrofits shipping containers with high-tech farming equipment to teach students to grow healthy leafy greens. The program started at Shelby Valley High School in Pike County in 2018 and has since expanded to Rowan County with additional units planned.
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AppHarvest is an applied technology company building some of the world’s largest indoor farms in Appalachia. The Company combines conventional agricultural techniques with cutting-edge technology and is addressing key issues including improving access for all to nutritious food, farming more sustainably, building a home-grown food supply, and increasing investment in Appalachia. The Company’s 60-acre Morehead, KY facility is among the largest indoor farms in the U.S. For more information, visit https://www.appharvest.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding Novus Capital’s proposed acquisition of AppHarvest, Novus Capital’s ability to consummate the transaction, the benefits of the transaction and the combined company’s future financial performance, as well as the combined company’s growth plans and strategy, future operations, timing of first crop harvest, estimated financial position, estimated revenues and losses, timing of expected revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of AppHarvest’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of AppHarvest. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Novus Capital’s registration statement on Form S-4, filed with the SEC on October 9, 2020 and as amended to date (the “Registration Statement”), under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents Novus Capital has filed, or will file, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect AppHarvest’s expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. AppHarvest anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while AppHarvest may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, AppHarvest specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing AppHarvest’s assessments of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
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Important Information for Investors and Stockholders
In connection with the proposed transaction, Novus Capital has filed the Registration Statement with the SEC, which includes a preliminary proxy statement to be distributed to holders of Novus Capital’s common stock in connection with Novus Capital’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Novus Capital’s stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of securities to be issued to AppHarvest’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, Novus Capital will mail a definitive proxy statement, when available, to its stockholders. Investors and security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about Novus Capital, AppHarvest and the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Novus Capital through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Novus Capital Corporation, 8556 Oakmont Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46260. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.
Participants in the Solicitation
Novus Capital and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Novus Capital’s shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of Novus Capital’s executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading the Registration Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the business combination when they become available. Information concerning the interests of Novus Capital’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of their stockholders generally, is set forth in the Registration Statement.
Swedish Agtech Startup Urban Oasis Raises €1M Funding To Build Its First MegaFarm
Swedish agtech startup Urban Oasis claims to build the food production platform for the 21st century
Swedish agtech startup Urban Oasis claims to build the food production platform for the 21st century. The company started as a pilot project in 2017 with the mission to provide the city of Stockholm with affordable and sustainably-grown food products through indoor vertical farming technology. Currently, Urban Oasis’ leafy greens such as Kale, PakChoi, and Lettuce can be found at major Swedish retailers including ICA, COOP, and online grocer MatHem.
Funding to build MegaFarm
In a recent development, Urban Oasis pocketed 10.5M SEK (nearly €1M) funding from both existing and new investors. The company plans to use the funding to build its first MegaFarm and expand its production capacity by 15-20 times. The construction work for this facility has already started and is expected to be operational by the end of 2020.
The MegaFarm will be powered by GreenOS, which is an automation software developed in-house. MegaFarm One will demonstrate the capability to optimally grow a large variety of crops in a single controlled production facility.
The investors in the company include Family Offices Pelarhuset and Anteeo, along with Yobi Partners Ltd, led by Toni Nijm and Charly Nijm.
Indoor vertical farming tech!
Urban Oasis was founded by Albert Payaró Llisterri and Lasse Kopiez in Stockholm Since its inception, the Swedish agtech startup has successfully scaled production at the pilot facility underneath an apartment complex in central Stockholm. Previously, this space was home to the Swedish Wine and Spirits Corporation’s storage and production facility. Now, it is owned by a Swedish real estate company GreenGroup, which is also an Urban Oasis partner.
“We are rethinking the way food is produced and consumed. Today Sweden imports more than 25 BSEK (€2.4B) worth of greens and vegetables from abroad. Growing produce where people live not only decreases transportation and climate impact, it also increases the freshness, taste and nutrition of the greens and vegetables. By leveraging the latest technology, we are building the food production platform for the 21st century,” says CEO and co-founder Albert Payaró Llisterri.
Main image picture credits: Urban Oasis
in (Crowd)funding, News, Startups
CEO of Red Lobster Joins Kalera Board of Directors
Kalera also welcomes Chris Logan, Investment Director of Canica International AG. The addition of these members coincides with Kalera’s rapid expansion into several new markets including recent announcements of locations in Atlanta, Houston, and Denver to open in 2021
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kalera (OSE ticker KAL-ME, Bloomberg: KSLLF), one of the fastest-growing vertical farming companies in the world, today announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. Kim Lopdrup, the CEO of Red Lobster, brings decades of expertise from the restaurant industry and a history of successful global expansion. Kalera also welcomes Chris Logan, Investment Director of Canica International AG. The addition of these members coincides with Kalera’s rapid expansion into several new markets including recent announcements of locations in Atlanta, Houston, and Denver to open in 2021.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Kim, a proven titan in the food and restaurant industry, join our Board,” said Daniel Malechuk, Kalera CEO. “His knowledge and expertise span from securing the highest quality, traceable food for his vast network of restaurants to leading companies through global expansion, skills which are invaluable to Kalera at this time. Chris has also made an impact within his industry and I am confident he will bring key financial insight as we grow rapidly and internationally.”
New board member Kim Lopdrup has been the Chief Executive Officer of Red Lobster, the world’s largest seafood restaurant chain company, since 2014. Under his leadership, Red Lobster has greatly improved its food and service, and today all of Red Lobster’s seafood is traceable, sustainable, and responsibly sourced. Before joining Red Lobster, Kim was the Chief Operating Officer, North America, for Burger King Corporation. He led the company’s 8,500 North American restaurants to record guest satisfaction scores in both company-owned and franchised restaurants, contributing to a turn-around of declining same-store sales.
“Kalera is an extraordinarily innovative company with disruptive technology and an unbeatable product that will allow them to grow very quickly and successfully,” said Kim Lopdrup, new Kalera board member and CEO of Red Lobster. “I am very passionate about food quality, safety, nutrition, and sustainability, and Kalera’s passion and commitment to all of these things is particularly impressive. I also have a lot of experience expanding brands internationally, and it is clear to me that Kalera has tremendous global potential.”
Kim serves on the boards of Wawa, Inc. (since 2006); Red Lobster (since 2014); and Bob Evans Restaurants (since 2017). He previously served on the boards of Rubio’s Restaurants (both before and after its IPO), 31 Ice Cream (a Japanese public company), and Hiram Walker & Sons, Ltd. (a Canadian company). He also served on the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida for 12 years, being named Board Member of the Year in 2011 and receiving National Service to Youth awards in 2010 and 2015. He is currently co-chair of Project Opioid. Orlando Business Journal named Kim a “CEO of the Year” in 2016. He holds an MBA with Distinction in Business from Harvard Business School. In 1984, Kim won the Uhlmann Prize for best agribusiness research at Harvard Business School.
Also joining the board is Chris Logan, Investment Director of Canica International AG. His career prior to Canica includes four years as an accountant at Deloitte and six years at Goldman Sachs in London where he was responsible for European infrastructure research and was a three-time ranked analyst in the Greenwich and II surveys. He was also a founding partner of investment bank Liberum Capital in London, and Head of Research for Swiss-based hedge fund B1 Capital. His 20 years of capital markets experience includes corporate valuation, mergers & acquisitions, financing solutions, and investment management. Mr. Logan is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and holds a B. A (Hons) in Economics from the University of Nottingham.
Nature Fresh Farms Wins Presidents Choice Fresh Product of The Year Award
Each year the award is distributed by Loblaw Companies Limited to one of their nominees. The criteria requires the product to be unique and stand alone as first to market in Canada, additionally, it must be a commercial success
Leamington, ON (November 25, 2020) – This year Nature Fresh Farms proudly accepted the PC Fresh Product of the Year Award for their Ontario Greenhouse Mixiany Cherry Tomatoes.
Each year the award is distributed by Loblaw Companies Limited to one of their nominees. The criteria requires the product to be unique and stand alone as first to market in Canada, additionally, it must be a commercial success, that is, it needed to have generated further sales and profit, thus having a major impact on the category for the period. The winner is determined by a ballot vote by colleagues of Loblaw Companies Ltd, with the award being presented virtually this year.
“We are honored and excited to receive this award as it truly is a testament to our team’s commitment to research and development,” said Vice President John Ketler. “Innovation is an integral part of the Nature Fresh Farms identity and thanks to our Discovery Center we are able to bring fresh flavorful product, like our Mixiany Tomatoes, to market.”
The Mixiany Cherry Tomatoes were performing very well in their research trials and were officially launched in Spring of 2020. This is a significant accomplishment for Nature Fresh Farms as the criteria for the award covered products launched between Fall 2017 to Summer 2020.
“We’d like to thank the entire LBL-PC team for their support and confidence in our product,” shared Director of Sales, Matt Quiring. “Our Mixiany Cherry Tomatoes is just one example of how our devotion to quality and flavor is reflected in our products and it is extremely rewarding to see it received so well by both Loblaws and our consumers.”
Nature Fresh Farms research team works hard at identifying these new varieties that taste exceptional and continue to look for new opportunities to offer more products to consumers. PC Greenhouse Mixiany is available in supermarkets owned and operated by Loblaw Companies Ltd and can be found in Ontario, Quebec and The East.
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About Nature Fresh Farms -
Continuously expanding, Nature Fresh Farms has become one of the largest independent, vertically integrated greenhouse vegetable farms in North America. As a year-round grower with farms in Leamington, ON, Delta, OH, and Mexico, Nature Fresh Farms prides itself on consistently delivering exceptional flavor and quality to key retailers throughout North America, while continuing to innovate and introduce more viable and sustainable growing and packaging solutions.
SOURCE: Nature Fresh Farms | info@naturefresh.ca T: 519 326 1111 | www.naturefresh.ca