What is Vertical Farming and CEA?
We recently interviewed Jim Schroeder to discuss the potnetial of CEA - Controlled Environmental Agriculture and Indoor Vertical Farming as a method or process of providing holistic solutions that address food security, sovereignty, and food safety for North America as well as the world.
Alta-CEA has already built several CEA Module Units to help businesses with crop growth as well as providing areas stricken with environmental crisis like drought, hurricanes, and bad growing conditions.
We added this article because it explains what needs to take place in order for CEA to work effectively and surprisingly it’s not technology or equipment but in training and education.
The Deep Discussion
The article below is a summary taken from an in-depth discussion on Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and vertical farming with Jim Schroeder, Principal Owner of Alta CEA. Schroeder explains that CEA involves creating optimized indoor environments for agriculture, such as greenhouses and vertical farming systems. Vertical farming, a concept that has sparked significant interest in CEA, involves growing crops in stacked layers to utilize space more efficiently. Schroeder emphasizes that successful CEA implementation requires more than just equipment; it necessitates a deep understanding of various scientific and environmental factors.
Jim states, Initially, CEA was synonymous with greenhouses that control air and light within a glass or plastic structure. However, vertical farming has emerged as a method to reduce the spatial footprint by growing crops in a confined vertical setup. This method can be applied to new structures or repurposed older buildings. Additionally, technologies like aquaponics, which integrates fish farming with plant cultivation to provide nutrients, are being explored to enhance CEA systems.
In regard to market trends and challenges in CEA. Jim notes that the market has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, with an increasing focus on smaller, modular systems like container farming. These systems can be placed in close proximity to markets or even in backyards for commercial or personal use. However, he cautions that CEA is a science that requires thorough research and understanding of various factors, such as seed types and nutrient requirements. The right technology and approach can lead to highly productive and efficient growing systems.
The Critical Importance of Training & Expertise
Jim goes on to highlight the importance of training and
expertise in CEA. Alta CEA offers comprehensive training programs to help
clients understand the intricacies of controlled environment agriculture, from
seed selection to nutrient management. He stresses that successful CEA
operations are not just about having the right equipment but also about having
the knowledge and support to manage and optimize these systems. Alta CEA aims
to provide holistic solutions that address food security, sovereignty, and
safety, particularly for small communities and First Nations in North America.
You can listen to the entire podcast at The Manufacturing Expert Podcast
Jim's Biography:
Jim Schroeder has spent over 15 years in the area of CEA and has worked with companies like Aquatic Solutions Canada, Trusted Freshness Ltd., CanH20 Solutions Ltd, and Alta Green Products Inc. before becoming the Principal Owner of Alta CEA located in British Columbia, Canada.