Sustainability
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Is Hydroponic Growing Sustainable?
All our water is recycled hundreds of times over. Water flows over the roots of the plants then into a reservoir where it is aerated and
sent back to the plants again. We use closed channels so very little water is lost to evaporation. Variable dependant, up to an
estimated 1/6 of the water is required to grow hydroponically compared to field crops.
sent back to the plants again. We use closed channels so very little water is lost to evaporation. Variable dependant, up to an
estimated 1/6 of the water is required to grow hydroponically compared to field crops.
Water Resources
Soil Resources
No soil is used. This means no soil erosion, no soil tilling, no addition of petroleum based fertilizers that leach into the water
system.
system.
Land Resources
We grow between 800 and 1100 head of produce per week in an area of 1800 sq/ft. On the low end, we produce over 40,000 head
of lettuce (and other produce) per year in the space of an average home.
of lettuce (and other produce) per year in the space of an average home.
Public Health
No animal based fertilizers are used which means no potential health risks from fecal matter. Only minerals are added to purified
water.
water.
Disease Management
Hydroponics is not immune to diseases, however, soil is the home for many diseases and eliminating soil contact greatly lowers
the predisposition to diseases.
the predisposition to diseases.
Petroleum Use
No petroleum based fertilizers are ever used. We don't even use tractors for hydroponic growing. The only petroleum by-product we
use is for heating during the winter but even that is being reduced.
use is for heating during the winter but even that is being reduced.
Responsible Energy Use
Greenhouses are cooled by simple exhaust fans and shade cloth. Heating requires the use of furnaces for winter growth, however
we are limiting this requirement through the use of up to 1600 gallons of heat sinks which release stored energy from the sun back
to the greenhouse at night. We have also added insulation to the end and north walls which dramatically lowers energy use.
Subsurface insulation around the perimeter of the greenhouse also lowers heat loss from the reservoirs and floor. Lighting is used
to supplement only under low light conditions.
we are limiting this requirement through the use of up to 1600 gallons of heat sinks which release stored energy from the sun back
to the greenhouse at night. We have also added insulation to the end and north walls which dramatically lowers energy use.
Subsurface insulation around the perimeter of the greenhouse also lowers heat loss from the reservoirs and floor. Lighting is used
to supplement only under low light conditions.