New Age Provisions Farms Revolutionises Hemp Cultivation with Automated Hydroponic Shipping Container Environment
DeMario Vitalis, the proprietor of New Age Provisions Farms in Indianapolis, has ventured into a novel approach to farming amidst the increasing legalisation of cannabis across the United States.
While Vitalis has experience cultivating various crops outdoors, he sought a method that offered more control over his work. In 2019, he delved into indoor hemp cultivation using hydroponics—a technique that involves growing plants in a soilless nutrient solution.
Vitalis partnered with Freight Farms, a Boston-based company, which provided him with a 320-square-foot shipping container equipped with cultivation software. Since receiving his first container in August 2020 followed by another in January, Vitalis has harnessed the power of automation technology from Freight Farms to manage and monitor his farming operations remotely.
According to James Woolard, the chief marketing officer at Freight Farms, the Greenery S system controls the environment inside the shipping containers using four specialised systems: air, light, water, and nutrient control. Sensors placed throughout the grow area transmit real-time information to Farmhand, an operating system app accessible on growers’ phones.
While Freight Farms initially focused on crops like lettuces, leafy greens, and herbs, they have expanded to include cannabis and hemp cultivation. “We have three or four growers at the moment who grow cannabis and hemp,” says Woolard. “They’re independent customers who purchase the farm from us and build their own businesses. Many customers see this as an addition to their traditional agriculture, as it eliminates seasonality.”
The Benefits of Hydroponic Cultivation
Hydroponic cultivation in shipping containers offers numerous advantages, Woolard explains. Growers can harvest year-round, irrespective of extreme outdoor temperatures, ensuring a steady supply of crops even in regions like Alaska and Canada.
Vitalis echoes these sentiments, expressing a preference for container-based cultivation over traditional outdoor methods. The environmental control system provided by Freight Farms enables him to monitor and manage his crops remotely, ensuring optimal growing conditions at all times.
The Challenges of Hydroponic Farming
Transitioning from outdoor to indoor hydroponic cultivation posed challenges for Vitalis, particularly in determining the correct nutrient dosage for his crops. In hydroponic systems, nutrients are supplemented via tanks, requiring growers to find the right balance to ensure healthy plant growth.
Another challenge Vitalis encountered was maintaining adequate water levels within the containers, crucial for nutrient delivery to the plants. He advises growers to frequently monitor water flow to prevent any disruptions to the growing process.
