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Sky high nutrition content in food production

Celine C.S. Nicole

by Celine C.S. Nicole, Signify Research

Plant Factories (also known as indoor farms or vertical farms) are gaining widespread attention over the last few years. Pioneered in Japan, the last few years show an acceleration in the adoption of plant factories in other regions such as the USA, Canada, Europe and South-East Asia.

Leafy greens are crops that are very suitable to be grown in plant factories. Among them are lettuce, arugula and fresh herbs. Locally grown, these crops can reach the end-consumer faster and therefore the freshness can be guaranteed longer.

For those crops which are usually sold minimally processed, it is important that the quality and food safety is fulfilled. Apart from reducing risks from bacterial load and other micro-organisms, plant factories offer the possibility to grow these crops without pesticides.

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Farming value beyond the economic: cases of social innovation through Controlled Environment Agriculture in New York

Presented by Wythe Marschall, Ph.D. candidate, Harvard University / Research associate, Cornell University

This talk examines the production of different social values by a network of agricultural technology entrepreneurs in greater New York City. I document how farmer–entrepreneurs relate agricultural practices such as hydroponics to claims about what makes a food “good,” and what makes a vision for the future of urban dwelling sustainable or just. I argue that, since few Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technologies are of recent invention, the novelty that my interlocutors produce is primarily social in nature—such as business models, imaginaries regarding urban future, and relations with consumers, including how consumers understand the category of “local,” plant nutrition, and the vocation of the farmer.

Click here for the complete conference program

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Vertical farming developments – Presented by Jasper den Besten, HAS University of Applied Sciences

Jasper den Besten

Jasper den Besten, HAS University of Applied Sciences, will speak at Vertical Farming Conference, on June 26, during AgriFood Innovation Event 2019 in Venlo, The Netherlands.

Vertical farming is a young industry and only at the beginning of its product-life-cycle. Technical developments go fast within the horticulture sector and even faster in the world around us. The innovation hype of vertical farming is over, the industry is getter mature and making more and more sense businesswise. The presentation gives an impression of challenges and future chances for this new type of farming.

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Indoor Urban Farming, the Beginning of a Sustainable Era in Food Production. How We can Reduce the Energy Demand Cost – Presented by Dafni Avgoustaki, Aarhus University

Dafni Avgoustaki

Dafni Avgoustaki, Aarhus University, will speak at Vertical Farming Conference, on June 26, during AgriFood Innovation Event 2019 in Venlo, The Netherlands.

Until 2050, it is estimated that global population will scale up to 10Billion people. This rapid escalation of population dynamics creates a lot of difficulties in food production and distribution at a global scale. People have to be fed with nutritious and fresh food and at the same time, this procedure has to sustainable and efficient both for humanity and the environment.

Last years, scientific world is focusing in a new, innovative and promising technology called plant factories. Plant factories can partly solve the problems of food waste and unjustified run-offs in food production, by supplying fresh fruit and vegetables at the so-called megacities (population> 10Million).

This novel type of farming gathers many optimizations from different scientific fields (engineering, agriculture, and mechanics) and promotes the sustainability in food production. Plant factories allow users to cultivate their plants in a completely isolated environment simulating the solar radiation with different types of lamps, advanced ventilation systems for heating and cooling of the cultivation area and hydroponic substrates that are water efficient (up to 90% water economy).

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Vertical Farming: Catalyst for Customer Value Creation in the Hospitality Industry – Presented by Cristian Toma, Kalera

cristian toma

Cristian Toma, Kalera (former Eco Convergence Group), will speak at at Vertical Farming Conference, on June 26, during AgriFood Innovation Event 2019 in Venlo, The Netherlands.

The vertical farming industry is now at the peak of expectations. However, this favorable window will close soon if we – as an industry – do not prove our economic viability. This is particularly challenging in a commoditized industry such as fresh produce supply. Technological innovation does not automatically lead to economic success – it must be applied in the right business context.

My presentation discusses how vertical farming can disrupt and innovate fresh produce supply in the hospitality industry. In order to be successful in a commoditized industry, one must be able to build durable customer relationships.

Vertical farming provides a platform that can be used as a catalyst for creating customer value, and the presentation shows how this can be achieved in the context of the hospitality industry.

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Vertical farming, a revolution in plant production – Presented by Leo Marcelis, Wageningen University

Leo Marcelis

Leo Marcelis, Wageningen University, will speak at Vertical Farming Conference, on June 26, during AgriFood Innovation Event 2019 in Venlo, The Netherlands.

Today’s rapidly urbanising societies challenge our food system to feed cities. Vertical Farming can provide a secure and sustainable route to provide cities with fresh food. Advantages are: no pesticides, no nutrient emission, only 2-4 litres of water per kg produce, much less land use, less waste, and lower food mileage, though energy use is still high. Continue reading “Vertical farming, a revolution in plant production – Presented by Leo Marcelis, Wageningen University”

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The Role of Genetics in Driving Growth for the Vertical Farming Industry – Presented by VK Kishore, Monsanto

vk kishore

The Role of Genetics in Driving Growth for the Vertical Farming Industry – Presented by VK Kishore, Monsanto, at the Vertical Farming Conference, on Jun 27, 2018, at Brightlands Campus, Villa Flora, Venlo, The Netherlands. The conference is part of a two-day agri-food event with 4 conferences, an expo, a 3D Food Printing Masterclass, plus more activities and workshops.

In the presentation, I will talk about the role of genetics in driving the growth of the Vertical farming industry. I will share the tools and capabilities we have in the company and our breeding approaches that will help accelerate the innovations in genetics that will be specific for the vertical farming industry. I will also emphasize the importance of collaboration to drive innovation in this area. Continue reading “The Role of Genetics in Driving Growth for the Vertical Farming Industry – Presented by VK Kishore, Monsanto”

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Ten ideas to rescue the world [so far] – Presented by Daniel Podmirseg, Vertical Farm Institute

Daniel Podmirseg

Ten ideas to rescue the world [so far] – Presented by Daniel Podmirseg, Vertical Farm Institute, at the Vertical Farming Conference, on Jun 27, 2018, at Brightlands Campus, Villa Flora, Venlo, The Netherlands. The conference is part of a two-day agri-food event with 4 conferences, an expo, a 3D Food Printing Masterclass, plus more activities and workshops.

The city of the future will be structurally incomparable with the modernist city. The design practice of the last eighty years has brought us really great challenges that will lead ecologically, socially and economically to radical system changes. This fact enables a much greater commitment by different creators from the fields of art, science and business. In addition, the fact of designing the city of the future is an invitation for all those who have hitherto been difficult to integrate into existing decision-making processes. The necessary supply of healthy food throughout the year affects all of us, especially city dwellers. Continue reading “Ten ideas to rescue the world [so far] – Presented by Daniel Podmirseg, Vertical Farm Institute”

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Agrotopia – a living lab for high tech urban and greenhouse horticulture – Presented by Ine Pertry, Inagro

Ine Pertry

Agrotopia – a living lab for high tech urban and greenhouse horticulture – Presented by Ine Pertry, Inagro at the Vertical Farming Conference, on Jun 27, 2018, at Brightlands Campus, Villa Flora, Venlo, The Netherlands. The conference is part of a two-day agri-food event with 4 conferences, an expo, a 3D Food Printing Masterclass, plus more activities and workshops.

INAGRO is building a research greenhouse on the rooftop of a warehouse of REO Veiling in the city of Roeselare. The greenhouse will demonstrate integration of greenhouse cultivation in urban environments by using resources from the city environment such as energy and water as well as best practices for soilless vegetable production. The greenhouse will also serve as a living lab to exchange knowledge and develop innovations through co-creation, involving all relevant stakeholders in the innovation process. Technology developers will have the opportunity to engage in this co-creation process or to demonstrate their latest innovations in an exhibition room. Continue reading “Agrotopia – a living lab for high tech urban and greenhouse horticulture – Presented by Ine Pertry, Inagro”

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Energy Efficient Vertical Farming – Presented by Yangang Xing, Cardiff University

Yangang Xing

Energy Efficient Vertical Farming – Presented by Yangang Xing, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, at the Vertical Farming Conference, on Jun 27, 2018, at Brightlands Campus, Villa Flora, Venlo, The Netherlands. The conference is part of a two-day agri-food event with 4 conferences, an expo, a 3D Food Printing Masterclass, plus more activities and workshops.

A brief overview of historical perspective of food and energy consumption will be presented, current state of the arts of vertical farming practices will be discussed. Continue reading “Energy Efficient Vertical Farming – Presented by Yangang Xing, Cardiff University”