On Apr 22nd, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the street and demonstrated against the pollution from industrialization, which led to the creation of the first Earth Day. Fifty three years later, Earth Day has become an international event for people all over the world to face environmental issues and take action to protect the planet.
This week (Apr 14-22, 2023) represents Earth Week with the theme “Invest in Our Planet.” The week culminates with Earth Day on Saturday, April 22. Resources, knowledge, and energy need to be dedicated to solve existing problems. We couldn’t think of a more perfect time to share some insights as to the potential of future agriculture.
The biggest challenge
As a main part of the primary industries, agriculture produces fundamental necessities, fruits, and veggies, for us to live a healthy life. Given the rising trend in population and urbanization, our food systems need to be capable and sustainable enough to provide quality food for the next generations. Instead of lettuce, we may have to eat seaweed… or do we?
The good news is that agriculture technology companies like ZipGrow Inc. are changing the future of food. Hydroponic methods can be a part of the solution to better food systems and localizing food production.
Water-wise
One of the significant benefits of hydroponics is that it saves water. In traditional farming, up to 50% of water is evaporated or drained due to inefficient irrigation methods. Although the agricultural industry is embracing water-saving techniques, even the best drip irrigation (in traditional agriculture), only saves one-fourth of water loss. Hydroponic systems allow you to capture and reuse water. If you are growing in a controlled environment like a ZipFarm, optimizing the temperature range will limit the plant’s water evaporation. You can even add dehumidifiers to convert excess moisture in the air back into the system. Using water efficiently helps your bill and the environment. Don’t forget fresh water is only 3% of the Earth’s water.
Reduction in pesticides
Have you ever found strawberries to be bland? Pesticides could be to blame. One research found fungicides can reduce sweetness by converting sugar into acids. Nutrients like vitamin C can be lost in the process as well.
There is a growing concern about the health effects of pesticides. Even though pesticides used in production have to meet a legally permitted threshold, it is compounded in your body with the produce you eat daily. According to the United Nations, a 1% increase in crop yield requires a 1.8% rise in pesticide use. With the global food demand projected to almost double in the next 20 years, we seem to have no choice but to compromise and accept pesticides. Or do we?
Indoor farms with a controlled environment can provide better protection to crops. Controlling pests or weeds from invasion means little to no pesticides or herbicides. You can offer a healthier option for your customers, minimize pollution to the planet, and ensure your growers are not exposed to hazardous chemicals.
As vertical farms use room efficiently and require less land, you will have a similar amount of production in leafy greens and herbs… or even more!
Shorter distance
Produce in North America travels on average 1682 miles from the farm to the plate, plus there are 35 million tonnes of food wasted each year during the distribution and retail process. Let me repeat that, 35 million tons of annual waste! Food waste equals unnecessary emissions of greenhouse gas and wastes in resources used to grow the produce. It’s why eating locally is considered more earth-friendly.
Choosing local food or following the 100-mile diet will put everyone in a win-win situation. Local food that travels ten times less improves your carbon footprint. More than half of the nutrition in the produce is lost in the first ten days after harvest. Local food lasts longer, tastes fresher, and reduces waste from improper storage. Local food tastes better for a reason!
Living in a cluster of high-rises with no farmland in sight? The good news is hydroponics makes growing possible indoors, anywhere, anytime. With the water delivered directly to the plants, their roots don’t need to spread out, so far less space is required. This enables hydroponic farms to be built in the center of an urban area. You can have an even smaller hydroponic garden to fit in the corner of your kitchen or office.
Tower Power
With ZipGrow technologies, vertical farming is straightforward using our patented hydroponic Towers. The ZipGrow Tower is a housing with folded Matrix Media inside and a wicking strip sandwiched between the media. While the Tower is easy to use and productive, it was also designed to be reliable and eco-friendly.
We built the Tower to last a lifetime. We guarantee Tower housing for 20 years. That’s how confident we are with its quality! Matrix Media and wicking strips are washable and can be reused after each growth cycle. From the experience of our ZipGrowers, Matrix Media typically lasts 3 to 9 years, depending on crop variety and usage. You will be even more surprised by what they are made of – recycled water bottles!
Sustainability from the beginning
ZipGrow applies the idea of sustainability to seedling plugs too. We choose Growfoam to limit the environmental impacts even more. The revolutionary Growfoam® is certified biodegradable with no microplastics or waste. Compared to traditional peat moss plugs, Growfoam provides the same root environment but a more stable micro bio-environment of water. This leads to fewer losses and cleaner produce without overwatering or water contamination.
Growfoam is foam-based with no use of peat, its amore sustainable choice because the peatlands have been drained or destroyed for several decades. All residual materials from Growfoam production are re-used as a base material for new substrates.
At ZipGrow, every day is Earth Day! It’s never too late to play your part and give back to Mother Earth. If you are a commercial grower, hydroponics benefits the environment while providing high-quality products to your community. If you are an individual who wants to make a difference, support purchasing local food, or even grow food for yourself (we can help you with that). We can help you to get started in your hydroponics journey.
