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Growing in the Right Direction

3/1/2018

8 Comments

 
Author: Bethania Rocha, Hydroponics Group

​Hydroponics involves growing plants without having to use soil. Soil’s function while growing plants is to hold water and food for the plants to uptake; hydroponics creates an easier and more efficient way for plants to get everything they need. Hydroponic mediums hold the water and nutrients for plants. Some examples of good hydroponic mediums are: clay pebbles, oasis cubes, coconut fiber, sand and peat moss. Most hydroponic mediums are either biodegradable, compostable or can be reused.
Growing hydroponically is a step in the right direction for sustainable agriculture. Hydroponics uses less water than traditional farming. This is because most hydroponic systems recycle and reuse water while other just don’t need as much. Hydroponics uses less space to grow and produces yield per growing space. Growing without soil decreases the need for pesticides and herbicides.​

Hydroponics is great method of growing for urban areas. It can be done in greenhouses, homes, schools, extra spaces in buildings, warehouses, on rooftops and even in shipping containers. This reduces a reliance on importing produce which lessens food miles. Crops grown indoors can be grown year round with temperature control. We are working on introducing hydroponics to Springstone Farm to grow produce year round. Below are examples of hydroponic systems.

Picture
Image from: nosoilsolutions.com
8 Comments
joe simmons link
3/4/2018 02:33:34 pm

This is an excellent overview and we are very excited about hydroponics and micro greens at Springstone Farm

Reply
Karen Chinery
3/4/2018 05:03:50 pm

I'm so happy to see programs like this offered and utilized. Kudos to Springstone Farm for offering their land and best of luck to those partaking in the development of such a vital step toward the future of farming.

Reply
Matt Altman
3/4/2018 06:36:00 pm

This is a very exciting area of study. It would be interesting to see how it might be replicated in a refugee environment where there is very little space. A low cost do it yourself guide.

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Charles Pennino
3/5/2018 06:34:02 am

The future of small farm farming is hydroponic farming. I am glad to see that students and teaches are looking for more efficient and
innovative ways to do it

Reply
Peter Carr link
3/5/2018 07:30:25 am

It's great to see the work that you are doing here Bethania. If you are not already aware of it you might be interested in the work of an organisation in New Zealand called Oooby. They are enabling local growers to make their food more available to a local audience. More detail here: https://smbp.uwaterloo.ca/2018/02/with-ooooby-cutting-down-the-supply-chain-makes-local-food-more-accessible/

Reply
Bethania Rocha
3/10/2018 02:32:32 pm

Thank you Peter! That sounds awesome, I have not heard of them but I will look into it :)

Reply
Will H.
3/5/2018 10:32:15 am

Great to read the posts! Keep at it and success for Springstone & KU!

Reply
Bethania Rocha
3/10/2018 02:34:47 pm

Thank you for the positive feedback! We will keep you posted with some new updates!

Reply



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    Sarah is a senior Kean University student graduating this may with a B.S. in Environmental Biology. She is the technical editor of her senior capstone project, which revolves around helping Springstone Farm become more sustainable.

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