How to Overcome Weather Challenges? Vertical Farming in Alaska
Project Information
- Customer: Vertical Farm in Alaska
- Facility: 40-ft. container
- Method of cultivation: NFT
- Type of crop: Lettuce
Client’s Problem
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The essence of the challenge lay in the lack of control over environmental parameters. Water circulation and chemical stability within the NFT vertical farming system were erratic, leading to suboptimal plant growth and health. Additionally, the inability to manage light, temperature, and humidity effectively resulted in an environment that was less than ideal for lettuce cultivation. The remote location compounded these issues, creating a scenario where immediate and effective response to environmental fluctuations was not just difficult—it was often impossible.
Grow Director’s Solution & Result
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By integrating an advanced automation and remote control system, the facility underwent a transformation that brought it into the 21st century. GrowDirector 3 PRO system enabled stable access with the ability to monitor and control all aspects of the environment 24/7, all from the convenience of a smartphone. With this upgrade, a single employee could now manage water quality, light cycles, and climatic conditions with precision, ensuring that the lettuce received the optimal growing conditions at all times.
The grower now able to achieve unprecedented levels of control and reliability in his NFT vertical farm, leading to an operation that was not only more productive but also more sustainable.
Equipment used in the case
Watch how Alaska's NFT vertical farm looks like
In the heart of Alaska, where the landscape is as beautiful as it is challenging, a grower embarked his NFT vertical farm. Facing the harsh realities of an unforgiving climate, our client found themselves battling against elements out of their control—unstable water chemistry, ineffective light management, and fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels that would make even the most seasoned farmers think twice. But perhaps the most daunting obstacle was the grower’s remote location, which suffered from unstable connections, making it nearly impossible to maintain consistent oversight of their 40-ft. container farming facility.