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
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
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
Finally, it’s time to go back to being a normal student again. Last week I finished my BSc thesis. Here’s a quick but technical article summarising what I did and what I found. The Dutch greenhouse horticultural industry is extremely Continue reading Nutrient Emissions in Greenhouses: A Model-Based Approach
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
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
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
Closing the loop is what vertical farms should help us do. More specifically, vertical farms can be organs within their surroundings, turning nutrient-containing waste into high-value produce. One of the ways I am exploring this idea is by participating in Continue reading Recovering Nutrients: Environmental Technology and Attitudes
It’s over a week ago since Aquafarm 2018 ended. My last article was a quick overview of what I saw there. This article will go into more depth about some of the talks that gave me some new ideas. Peter Continue reading Aquafarm 2018: Some Highlights
Just got back from Aquafarm 2018 in Pordenone, Italy. It was wonderful. Here’s a quick recap of my experience of these few days. The Beginning: Wednesday, February 14 Wednesday afternoon the adventure started. I met Zjef Van Acker at Charleroi Continue reading Aquafarm, Aquafarm, Aquafarm: My Experience