Architecture x Agriculture x 5
Photo credits: Lufa Farms, Garden & Greenhouse, Model D Media, Agritecture, Global Guide Media Inc, Lilkin, Sensorex, Purdue, Southern SARE
This is part 5 in a series that we originally hosted on Instagram where we shared ongoing research, precedents, and agriculture related practices that have inspired us at MOTIV.
On this week's series we will be sharing more about soil-less agriculture...we previously looked at traditional hydroponic systems and today we will be sharing about modern vertical farming techniques.
Hydroponics is a type of horticulture which involves growing plants without soil. Instead, the plant roots are submerged in nutrient rich water with high levels of oxygen that is frequently monitored and circulated. Almost any crop can be grown hydroponically, but the most common are leaf lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, watercress, celery and some herbs.
some advantages include:
land and water conservation - 90-95% less water can be used
less pesticide use and runoff pollution
lower food miles
controllable environment
20-30x more efficient
ability to grow in areas with land/soil less conducive to agriculture - for example dense urban environments, the far north, etc…
Modern aeroponics are a modified hydroponic process developed by NASA. This vertical farming method grows plants in a mist environment; with no soil and very little water. Aeroponic systems use up to 90% less water than hydroponic systems. They have also been proven to absorb more minerals and vitamins. Towers and other vertical approaches are more popular for aeroponics systems, as the roots need to spread out to increase absorption. The vertical setup allows for misting to come from above and distribute below using gravity.
Aquaponic systems are a form of hydroponics that combine plants and fish in the same ecosystem. Plants and fish live in the water reservoir, where fish waste is broken down to provide nitrates for the plants. Remaining purified water is recirculated to the fish. Aquaponics are more commonly used in smaller-scale vertical farming systems.
Click the image for a northern example in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut of growing vertically in harsh local conditions, with a big impact on the local community.