Three Continents, Three Aquaponics Systems (Guest Post by Cindy Achieng)

It is an honour to be having our first guest post here on Alex Grows Up. Over a year ago I met Cindy Achieng, who was a guest at our Toastmasters meeting. She later became a member and is now doing a fantastic job as the President of our club! Not only that – she has quite some experience in aquaponics. Cindy, the floor is yours… Continue reading Three Continents, Three Aquaponics Systems (Guest Post by Cindy Achieng)

Circular Horticulture, Part 2: Pitches

Last week I attended Wageningen Research’s Greenhouse Horticulture business unit’s event on research into circular horticulture for 2025. After the main presentation on the group’s vision and ideas (which you can read about here), there were six short presentations. Three Continue reading Circular Horticulture, Part 2: Pitches

My Experience on an Aquaponics Farm

This year, I wanted to get some hands-on experience with aquaponics. About a month ago, I spent three weeks working at Duurzame Kost, an indoor aquaponics farm in an old Philips factory in Eindhoven (Netherlands). In this post, I’d like Continue reading My Experience on an Aquaponics Farm

GreenTech 2019: General Observations and an Aquaponics Presentation

A month ago I attended GreenTech 2019. There were quite some changes and new observations. Now for some proper substance – one of my favourite presentations at GreenTech 2019. Continue reading GreenTech 2019: General Observations and an Aquaponics Presentation

PlantGeek: Machine Learning and Aquaponics

Agricultural systems are complex. Data and machine learning can help. But how exactly? Believing something can be useful and knowing how are two different things. PlantGeek are applying data and machine learning to automate aquaponics systems. Continue reading PlantGeek: Machine Learning and Aquaponics

Bacteria and Biofilters Are Underrated

Could it be that the logical conclusion of controlled-environment agriculture is natural ecosystems? If controlled-environment agriculture is to become sustainable, it must be able to use waste as an input for nutrients. In 2016, the AVFami project group* realised that Continue reading Bacteria and Biofilters Are Underrated

TEDxWageningenUniversity and 2018 in Review

It’s strange what can happen within a year. In September, a surreal surprise occurred when I got a presenting spot at TEDxWageningenUniversity in November. My talk was on AMI (aquaponics-mushrooms-insects) systems and how they can connect resource management to health. Continue reading TEDxWageningenUniversity and 2018 in Review

The Greenhouse Challenge Grand Finale

A few days ago, the Grand Finale of Wageningen University’s Greenhouse Challenge took place. It was a great day of discussing urban agriculture, showcasing new ideas, pitching, and celebration. Here’s my experience of that day. The Stand At 10 AM, Continue reading The Greenhouse Challenge Grand Finale

Update on Green Spark and the Greenhouse Challenge

We just pulled an all-nighter. After over half a year of refining our ideas, our team’s final dossier for Wageningen University’s Greenhouse Challenge was finally handed in, a rendering of which you see above. The Greenhouse Challenge is a competition Continue reading Update on Green Spark and the Greenhouse Challenge

AMI’s Farm Lab and the First Vertical Farming Festival

At Aquafarm 2018, Zjef Van Acker had been talking about his latest brainchild, the Virtual Vertical Farming Lab (ViVe Farm Lab), an online platform for sharing data and knowledge. On the way back at the airport, he showed me some Continue reading AMI’s Farm Lab and the First Vertical Farming Festival