Urban Ag News

Cool to see Zordi and Gilwoo Lee highlighted in the NVIDIA blog. Taste of Success: Zordi Plants AI and Robotics to Grow Flavorful Strawberries Indoors The startup, which uses robots for scouting and harvesting in greenhouses, is now expanding with partner farms in New Jersey and California. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g5uv_4Nc

Will tariffs on fresh produce imported into the USA become a reality? This is definitely something we will be paying close attention to. We don't think anything significant will happen until 2026, but we expect that we will have a good understanding of the intended trajectory in 2025. USDA International Fresh Produce Association Fresh Produce Association of the Americas Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Texas International Produce Association https://lnkd.in/gSnFynfg

Are we confusing terminology? Is it really research? Or is it product development? https://lnkd.in/gyz5UUc8

Goes to what we have said for years, regardless of the tech...it is still farming. Really good article by Rosie Bradbury from PitchBook. https://lnkd.in/gsyPjh3Y

One of the original hydroponics farms is under threat according to a story on the The Associated Press. MEXICO CITY (AP) — Cassandra Gardu?o squinted in the sunlight, her pink boots smudged by dirt as she gazed out over her family’s chinampa — one of the islands first built up by the Aztecs with fertile mud from the bottom of a lake that, later drained, would one day become Mexico City. Food from these islands has fed people for hundreds of years, but the chinampas are under threat from urbanization. The produce grown here doesn’t fetch much money, and many families are abandoning the ancient practice to rent out or sell their land for more lucrative uses such as soccer fields. Read the complete story from Mariana Martínez Barba and Julián Trejo Bax here: https://lnkd.in/e3sWpx9J

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2024– The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service today awarded over $33.5 million for 113 grant projects in 43 states and territories to expand and strengthen local and regional food systems and increase the availability of locally grown agricultural products. The funding will be distributed through the Local Agriculture Market Program’s (LAMP) Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs (FMLFPP) and the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) grant program. “The Local Agriculture Market Program is a key piece of USDA’s efforts to strengthen local and regional food systems with over $220 million awarded to 597 projects since 2021,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The projects will expand market opportunities for small and mid-sized producers, allow more money to stay within local and rural economies, and build resilience in our food systems.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gbQ6wRAD

Since this is a very stressful week for many of us in the USA, we thought we would share this comedic song on CEA that was produced using AI and emailed to us. Don't take the song or its message too seriously, it is meant to be funny. We did not create it, it was sent to us anonymously. https://lnkd.in/gn6AbZrG

This story was sent to Christopher Higgins from Lilian Matallana, Ph.D. after Chris' recent post on packaging. If you are interested in sustainable packaging, you will want to take time to read or listen. Read/Listen at this NPR link: https://lnkd.in/gduJ8mB "If the public thinks that recycling is working than they are not going to be concerned about the environment." Please listen. Photo credit: Michael Courier An overflowing bin with piles of trash placed next to it (May 28, 2018). Though this might feel like a local issue, it also highlights our societal reliance of single-use plastic products.

Simply one of the best titles we have ever had! "Considering starting a vertical farm? Think like a farmer, not an?engineer." Zeste Farms, Inc has developed its indoor vertical farm production system to be easy to operate and simple to repair. In April 2020 when Stan K. started Zeste Farms, an indoor vertical farm in Paso Robles, Calif., the coronavirus pandemic was well established in the United States. “There was a lot of discussion of whether we should go forward with the business or not,” Kaplita said. “We had raised quite a bit of start-up money, so we made the decision to move forward given it was a prototype and we saw ongoing investment in this sector. We knew it was going to take time to procure all the equipment required to operate the facility. But we figured the pandemic would be over in a few months and we would be fine. “We started the company because we felt there was an opportunity that was being missed by other indoor vertical farms. I was new to the industry but was very attracted to the potential of sustainable farming and eliminating the ‘green premium’.” Prior to starting Zeste Farms, Kaplita was general manager at Plenty’s former indoor vertical farm in Kent, Wash. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/g8-N99GS

Colorado Governor Polis signed HB24B-1003, Business Personal Property Tax Exemptions, sponsored by Representatives Matt Soper and Junie Joseph and Senators Kevin Priola and Mark Baisley. The bill will help Colorado greenhouses and other agricultural businesses save more, and make certain property tax exemptions permanent, including an exemption for equipment used in greenhouses to grow food.? “Colorado is proud to put food on tables across the state and around the world, and the success of our agricultural businesses and entrepreneurs is a key part of that. Today we are breaking down barriers and cutting taxes for Colorado greenhouses, helping to keep more money in the pockets of the hardworking Coloradans who help strengthen our economy. The growing indoor agriculture sector is water and land efficient and can produce crops year round, this tax cut will help attract additional investment to this key area and support our growing businesses,” said Governor Polis. Governor Polis signed HB24B-1003 at Gotham Greens, a nation-wide fresh food company that works to provide fresh and sustainably sourced produce. Gotham Greens operates two large greenhouses in Aurora and Windsor. Personal property tax relief will help agricultural businesses save money on essential equipment, and support more jobs and Colorado’s economy.