Chris Michlewicz, Author at Hydroponic Container Farms and Mushroom Farms - Farmbox Foods

Natural Grocers Growing Its GardenBox Program

Lakewood, Colo. – Michael Boardman knows it takes exactly 82 steps to get from the GardenBox to the produce display at Natural Grocers’ store in Green Mountain – Lakewood.

Boardman manages the first of what could eventually be more Natural Grocers GardenBoxes, a shipping container-based farm that grows several organic lettuce varieties right behind the store it supplies. That means instead of spending about 10 days going from a farm to a distribution center to a truck to a display case — losing about half of its nutritional value and shelf life in the process — the fresh greens go immediately from the container farm to the aisle.

That’s how Boardman knows it takes precisely 82 steps to walk to what ends up being a vibrant, colorful produce display: he’s done it a few times.

The use of a GardenBox could be a sign of what’s to come. More retailers (and consumers, for that matter) that specialize in healthy living are learning that produce doesn’t need to be shipped in from elsewhere. Natural Grocers is taking its pilot program to the next level, with the help of Colorado-based FarmBox Foods, an innovative company that designs, builds and sells the automated, controlled-climate container farms.

Boardman is creating the GardenBox playbook from scratch. He spent weeks developing a nutrient blend that allows Natural Grocers leafy greens to maintain their certified organic status, while enabling the produce to thrive in a hydroponic farm. So far, the company has tried 8 types of lettuce with great success.

To help promote the idea of produce growing outside the store where it’s sold, Natural Grocers gave away about 1,000 heads of lettuce in late June. The produce is now being sold at the Green Mountain – Lakewood location.

“People have loved it. They have been really impressed with it. It’s definitely a much better tasting green, and it’s fresher,” he said.

Boardman, who has spent 8 years with Natural Grocers and also has a background as a produce buyer, said there are “very few products on the market that are living,” pointing out that shoppers who buy heads of lettuce grown in a GardenBox can actually keep them alive in water until they’re eaten.

From alkindus, brentwood to hampton lettuce and mirlo lettuce, there’s plenty to be excited about. Boardman, who particularly enjoys the incredibly flavorful Marciano red butterhead lettuce grown in the GardenBox, says his favorite aspect of the process has been learning what works best to get the plants to thrive.

“Figuring out the solution to it, how to do this organically and sustainably, and watching this grow and be successful has been the best part,” he said.

The Vertical Hydroponic Farm used to grow the produce can simultaneously hold about 11,000 plants in various stages of growth, including about 7,000 seedlings. The plants go from seed to harvest all within the 320-square-foot space in the GardenBox purchased from FarmBox Foods. It’s a game-changer for helping decentralize the food supply chain and empowering individual communities.

To learn more, go to www.naturalgrocers.com/gardenbox. For more information about FarmBox Foods, visit www.farmboxfoods.com.

Prototype Vertical Hydroponic System at Valor Christian High School

SEDALIA, Colo. – Valor Christian High School has a project-based learning environment that is helping to lead the next generation of agriculturists to the greener pastures of the future.

The Applied STEM Program, led by director Rick Russon, enables students to put into practice what they learn in the classroom, preparing them for successful careers in a number of industries, including agriculture. Members of Valor’s agriculture club, in particular, have an infectious enthusiasm for ideas that combine brain power with a desire to make a positive impact on the world, and it’s already leading to groundbreaking results. For their capstone project, Russon and the club members built a four-tube vertical hydroponic unit using prototype parts donated by FarmBox Foods.

“I told Tony I’d like to have a farm here, but I don’t have the money to do that,” Russon said, referring to FarmBox Foods founder Tony English, whom he met on LinkedIn.

The unit — based at the school — began producing huge quantities of fresh lettuce, and quickly grabbed the attention of students and faculty at the private Highlands Ranch school. Russon estimates that more than two dozen teachers have approached him about constructing a home unit for them. FarmBox Foods also shared the know-how and the tools necessary for students to conduct “shoebox mycology” experiments, and soon, the Valor students were growing gourmet mushrooms on a small scale in their classroom.

Russon’s foray into academia was not exactly planned. He volunteered to be a parent advisor, and that quickly morphed into a role as director of the Applied STEM Program, where he and the students have flourished.

“I have always loved gardening and growing things,” Russon said. “I brought in some projects from home and the students saw a germination station I brought in and said ‘can we grow something?’ That’s how the agriculture club started.”

Now, Russon, who in his professional career has helped lead innovative projects related to tank gun stabilization, torpedo guidance and even flight simulations for NASA’s first five space shuttle missions, is developing a control system for an 8-tube vertical hydroponic system using Raspberry Pi controllers typically used in video game systems. It will help run a network of sensors that monitor temperature, nutrient levels and pH, and control ventilation fans and full- spectrum LED lights also used by FarmBox Foods. The Applied STEM Program is aiming to modify the four-tube hydroponic system and build several models to bring them into food deserts to feed people in need. Valor Christian sends nearly 40 teams throughout the world each year on missions, and Russon’s hope is that they can help deploy a workable system in areas with little arable land and few resources.

The Valor-based vertical hydroponic setup, meanwhile, continues to draw interest from students and faculty who want to grow their own farm-fresh greens and potentially help others learn the science behind the hydroponic growing process.

“I feel honored to have this (system),” Russon said. “Someday when FarmBox is enormous, I’ll be able to say we had this.”

Ongoing Shipping Logjam Makes a Case for Decentralized Food Supply

SEDALIA, Colo. – A post-pandemic resurgence in sales across multiple industries has put an unprecedented strain on shipping, and the logjam shows few signs of easing.

In recent months, ships have stacked up at ports worldwide, waiting weeks to deliver their imported goods. Likewise, demand for flatbed trucks and dry vans has skyrocketed, resulting in longer delivery timeframes and significant logistical entanglements.

According to the American Trucking Associations, a national trade association for the trucking industry, manufacturing output is expected to rise by 7.2% in 2021. The transportation system’s capacity is being tested, and for those shipping food, it’s becoming an even tougher task to get goods from point A to point B. The ever-increasing rate of online sales and consumers’ growing expectations of quick delivery have resulted in a reprioritization of what is shipped and when.

The American Trucking Associations anticipates a 3.7% rise in food manufacturing this year, and U.S. exports of food could climb as much as 10%.

It’s only in times like these that massive shifts in behavior manifest themselves, and the idea of decentralizing the food supply chain begins to look better and better. For businesses that grow produce in the communities where that food is then consumed, the shipping challenges are a peripheral issue.

FarmBox Foods, a Colorado-based company that builds automated farms inside repurposed shipping containers and sends them to food deserts around the world, has had its eye on decentralization from the start. The company’s leaders say empowering communities by placing container farms within a short distance of consumers could have positive ramifications on low-income populations for decades to come, and render supply chain woes inconsequential.

“We’ve got an unpredictable supply chain with a bunch of variables, and the expenses can add up quickly,” said Rusty Walker, CEO of FarmBox Foods and a veteran of the supply chain industry. “Our solution makes things more reliable and eliminates some of these vulnerabilities.”

The strategic placement of controlled-climate container farms in places that have traditionally lacked access to farm-fresh food has side benefits, like lower cost for food, a reduction in the burning of fossil fuels to transport goods, a longer shelf life for the produce, educational opportunities for local populations, and greater nutritional bang for your buck because the fruits and vegetables won’t lose any of their nutritional value while in transit.

It also allows consumers to sidestep the headaches that arise when a backlog in the shipping industry puts everyone else at a standstill.

Christian Riders in Faith Donation Helps Feed People in Need

Sometimes a helping hand goes a long way. On June 22, members of the FarmBox Foods team brought a dozen boxes of fresh-picked vegetables from one of its Vertical Hydroponic Farms to the Christian Riders in Faith Motorcycle Ministry in Denver. The ministry hands out boxes of food to those in need every other Tuesday, and in just the first 30 minutes, more than 50 boxes were given out.

There is a critical need for fresh produce in low-income areas, and FarmBox Foods was humbled to be involved in such a good cause. It was an example of one of the ways in which FarmBox Foods and its customers can partner with nonprofits to get nutritious food in the right hands. The kind people at Christian Riders in Faith M/M are truly on to something. They recognize the need in their community and work hard to provide a balanced selection of foods in the boxes they give out.

How Gourmet Mushrooms Are Grown

Gourmet mushrooms are commercially grown in three stages. The ability to control temperature, humidity, and fresh air exchange is key to any cultivator’s success, and proper infrastructure is required to meet the different parameters required in each stage of growth.

Stage 1: Petri Dishes

Mushrooms live most of their lives in a vegetative state called mycelium. In nature, mycelium grows in soil or decaying wood where it absorbs vital nutrients. These nutrient-rich conditions can be replicated in a laboratory setting using a specially formulated gel, called agar, that can be customized for a particular mushroom species. The commercial mushroom growing process begins by placing a small bit of mushroom mycelium onto a petri dish, and within several weeks the mycelial tissue replicates itself and covers the entire surface of the petri dish—this is referred to as colonization.

After a petri dish has been fully colonized by mycelium, cultivators can proceed in two directions:

Divide the agar into small pieces and transfer the pieces to new petri dishes, where the mycelium will continue to expand (one petri dish covered with mycelium can serve to start about 80 new petri dishes). These new petri dishes can then be used for further propagation, or they can be used for the second option:
Distribute the cut-up pieces of mycelium into receptacles of sterilized grains.

Petri dishes at different stages of colonization

Step 2: Grains

After being introduced to sterilized grains (typically wheat, millet, and sorghum), the mycelium will begin to replicate and grow, metabolizing all available nutrients. This process typically takes several weeks so the mycelium can adjust to its new environment and nutrient availability. With these nutrients, however, comes the risk of contamination by other fungi and bacteria. Grains must be sterilized carefully prior to being inoculated with mycelium. Any lapse in attention during the inoculation process can lead to contamination and a lost grain bag (contamination can also go unnoticed, leading to problems later in the cultivation process). Once a grain bag is fully colonized with mycelium, the bag can be used for two purposes:

Propagating the myceliated grains into other sterilized grain bags, or:
Introducing the myceliated grains into bags of substrate suitable for growing the mycelium into its next stage—the production of fruiting bodies (mushrooms).

Step 3: Fruiting Substrate

There are many substrate options for growing mycelium out to its final stage, where it produces mushrooms. Commercial cultivators in the West typically use hardwood sawdust supplemented with agricultural waste products—this can include soybean hulls, wheat bran, rice bran, sugarcane bagasse, and coffee grounds. Cultivators prepare substrate bags by mixing the dry inputs with a specific volume of water and then placing them in an autoclave for sterilization. After the substrate bags have cooled, cultivators shake the grain bags to break them up and then distribute them in small amounts to the sterilized substrate bags. The inoculated substrate bags will then remain in a temperature-controlled room for several weeks; the mycelium moves from the grains throughout the substrate colonizing it completely during this time. After the substrate bags are completely colonized, the substrate bags move into the fruiting chamber, where cultivators cut them open and expose them to lower temperatures, high humidity, and fresh air. After several weeks, mushrooms will be fully formed and ready for harvest. Depending on the species, several harvests can be picked from each bag. After a bag has produced its mushrooms, the substrate can be composted or added to soil where it will continue to produce small quantities of mushrooms.

View The FarmBox Gourmet Mushroom Container Farm

View Mushroom Farm

How to Grow Mushrooms – 5 Steps to Success

Have you been considering growing your own gourmet mushrooms, but just don’t know where to start? Well, it’s time to ditch your mushroom grow kit, and let us show you how you can grow gourmet mushrooms on your own. But first, let’s cover a few basics.

Why should I grow mushrooms?

Even though mushrooms are on the Clean 15 list, that doesn’t mean that they are actually pesticide free! A study done by the FDA shows that 26% of imported mushrooms had more than the allowable amount of pesticides, even thiabendazole, a carcinogen, and a developmental and reproductive toxin.

Pesticides are not our only concern with commercial mushrooms. Gourmet mushrooms are expensive and can be hard to find at your local store, but don’t let that stop you from capitalizing on the many benefits mushrooms provide!

Is it difficult to grow mushrooms?

Although it may seem tricky at first, once you understand the basics of growing mushrooms, the process is pretty simple! Take care to prevent contamination, monitor temperature and humidity, and you will be enjoying fresh, homegrown, gourmet mushrooms before you know it!

Is it dangerous to grow mushrooms?

Nope! Follow our guidelines below and wear a respirator when you are exposed to mushrooms that are in the fruiting phase – this is when they release spores. If you are going to be using a pressure cooker or autoclave, be sure to adhere to all of the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 1: Prepare your substrate

When it comes to choosing a substrate, you have quite a few options. We have seen the best results using sawdust, soybean hulls, wheat bran, rice bran, peanut hulls, sugarcane bagasse, or straw. Although this is far from a comprehensive list, the options above are tried and tested and should provide you with great results!

Depending on the substrate, it may be beneficial to chop up your substrate before beginning the hydrating process — this will cut down on the time needed to hydrate and thoroughly mix your substrate.
The next part is to hydrate the substrate. The water to dry mix ratio will be specific to your chosen substrate, so be sure to add the correct volume of water.
After you have finished prepping your substrate, divide it evenly into mushroom bags. Fold the opening of the bag over to seal the substrate so it is ready for the next step.

Step 2: Sterilization

Sterilization is a very important part of the process. If not done correctly, your substrate can become contaminated and the contamination will compete with your mushrooms for nutrients.

There are two main ways to sterilize substrate:

Atmospheric steam sterilization: This process involves keeping the bag of substrate immersed in steam for several hours until sterilization is reached. This method takes longer but is the safer option and the one we prefer.
Autoclave or pressure cooker: Using this method is faster, but it is essential to take proper precautions whenever using an autoclave or pressure cooker.

Don’t forget to let your sterilized substrate cool completely before inoculating! You can even let your substrate cool overnight, although we don’t recommend letting it sit for longer than 24 hours.

Step 3: Inoculate the substrate

Be careful not to contaminate your grain spawn or substrate bags during this step. Pay close attention to your work during this process, since it is easy to introduce contaminants during inoculation. Contamination can easily go unnoticed, leading to problems later in the cultivation process.

After cooling the substrate, it’s time to inoculate. We recommend inoculating in a cleanroom or under a HEPA flow cabinet. This ensures that no mold spores, yeast, or bacteria will enter the bag and contaminate it. If you don’t have access to a HEPA flow cabinet, consider building or buying a still air box.
Add the grain spawn to the substrate bag using a sterilized spoon or another sterilized tool. Try to put the same amount of grain spawn into each bag.
Seal the bag closed using an impulse sealer. Don’t force any air out of the bag before sealing — this not only allows for air exchange but also makes mixing much easier.
Thoroughly mix the substrate and grain spawn until you have a uniform mixture.

Step 4: Incubation

During incubation, the mycelium moves from the grains throughout the substrate colonizing it completely. Incubation time will vary depending on the species of mushrooms you are growing.

Place the inoculated substrate bag in a room with the temperature set to the mid to low 70’s (Fahrenheit).
Incubation usually takes between 2 and 3 weeks depending on species.

Step 5: Fruiting

After the substrate bags are completely colonized, the fruiting process can begin.

Take the colonized substrate bags to a room with high humidity with the temperature set to the low to mid 60’s.
Cut the bag open, exposing the mycelium to oxygen. At this point, the temperature drop and high humidity will act as biological triggers telling the mycelium to begin forming mushrooms.
After about 2 weeks (just keep an eye on them), you will have mature mushrooms that are ready to be picked! Depending on the species, several harvests can be picked from each bag. After a bag has produced its mushrooms, the substrate can be composted or added to soil where it will continue to produce small quantities of mushrooms.

Not that hard, right? The ability to control temperature, humidity, and fresh air exchange is key to successfully growing mushrooms, and proper infrastructure is required to meet the varying needs of different mushroom species.

When you’re ready to take things to the next level, give us a call! Our Gourmet Mushroom Farms are equipped with everything you need to grow mushrooms on a large scale, and our amazing team is here to help you every step of the way.

View The FarmBox Gourmet Mushroom Container Farm

View Mushroom Farm

Is Vertical Hydroponic Farming the Future of Agriculture?

Vertical Hydroponics is needed – We face multiple agriculture-related obstacles in the fight to feed the world’s increasing population: climate change, lack of farmable space, water usage, supply chain concerns, and food contamination.

Climate Change

We all know that climate change is causing increasing temperatures across the globe. Another unfortunate but less talked about issue caused by higher temperatures is an increase in pests. Our farms are built inside sturdy, insulated shipping containers, making them immune to the weather unpredictability and pest infestations that plague traditional farming.

Available Space

The UN reports that by 2050, the world’s population will reach nine billion, and food production will need to increase by seventy percent. To meet this increase in food production, farmers will need more land, but there is unfortunately not enough farmable land to meet this need. Hydroponic vertical farms can be placed in nearly any location and are stackable for added efficiency. Inner cities, drought-stricken areas, places with extreme temperatures, and hard to reach locations are not an issue for these types of farms.

Water Usage & Contamination

Traditional agriculture is the number one user of the Earth’s freshwater. A NASA report states that the demand for freshwater will increase by 55% by 2050. Water shortages are already a concern in the United States as well as in developing countries. These shortages will only get worse as many areas continue to suffer from widespread and long-lasting droughts. Vertical farming drastically reduces the amount of water needed to grow crops — FarmBox Foods’ innovative, closed watering system only uses 3-5 gallons of water per day and does not contribute to groundwater contamination.

Supply Chain Concerns

Our farms can be placed near distribution centers, schools, grocery stores, and shelters. By using a farm-to-table approach, produce from the farm can be served at your table the same day it is harvested. Not only does this allow the plants to keep all of their nutrients, but it cuts down on plastic packaging and transportation costs. Food Safety Studies show that foodborne illnesses sicken 1 in 10 people across the globe and kill 420,000 people every year. Some causes of foodborne illness include bacteria, viruses, chemicals, parasites, and cross-contamination.

Food Safety

is a top priority at FarmBox Foods. We have multiple systems in place to ensure that only clean water reaches the crops, and we have procedures in place to prevent other types of contamination.

Smart Farm Technology gives the farmer complete control over temperature, humidity, LED growing lights, and watering schedules. The ability to make adjustments as needed not only increases plant growth but gives consistency in plant production. Our farms are only 320 square feet, stackable, and compatible with nearly any environment. Low water usage and multiple filtration systems mean our farms only require 3-5 gallons of water per day, with no worries about contamination. We believe that this combination of innovation, creativity, and sustainability makes vertical hydroponic farming the future of agriculture.

Inner City Uses of Vertical Farming

Vertical Farming is a good solution. Not only do inner cities deal with a lack of usable space for farming, but changing weather conditions can make it nearly impossible to grow in the colder months. As the cost of fresh food continues to rise, vulnerable populations are forced to consume more fat and sugar-filled foods than ever, leading to an increase in diabetes, obesity, and other diet-related diseases. The good news is that there is a solution.

How Can We Eliminate Food Deserts?

Unfortunately, it is common to find food deserts in most inner cities. The US is growing more food than ever, yet we still have people going hungry. In 2019, 35 million people in the United States had limited or uncertain access to food. Putting vertical hydroponic and mushroom farms in inner cities will provide food security to areas that are underserved and struggle with access to nutritious, fresh food.

Is There Room For A Farm?

Our farms have a footprint of 320 square feet. They can be stacked, have the capacity to run on solar power, and can be deployed just about anywhere. Our small footprint does not mean small yields, however. Vertical grow tubes, LED grow lights, and multiple fans allow for faster and more efficient growth than with traditional farming.

Don’t Farms Use A Lot Of Water?

Another benefit of vertical hydroponic farming in urban areas is that very little water is required. By cutting out soil and incorporating a closed-loop watering system, the plants not only need less water to grow, but the water is recycled, cleaned, and reused.

It’s Too Cold To Farm!

What’s Wrong With Just Buying Produce From The Grocery Store?

Fresher produce means healthier produce! By the time produce reaches grocery stores, it can be up to a week old – this means lost nutrients. Growing produce in the area where it will be consumed means you can enjoy food that is full of vitamins and other nutrients. With FarmBox Foods, we can place farms in the city, giving the community access to fresh, nutritious produce while reducing the environmental impact of transporting produce from rural areas.

Still Not Sure?

Placing farms in inner cities improves food security, provides jobs to residents, aids in educating the community on farming and nutrition, and boosts the local economy. At FarmBox Foods, our goal is to decentralize food systems and give power back to the consumers. We want to bring food security to people everywhere regardless of their location or socioeconomic background.

Non-Profit Organizations & FarmBox Foods

Farming may not seem like an obvious choice for a non-profit organization, but there are huge potential benefits for your organization and the communities you serve when you team up with FarmBox Foods.

Community Engagement

If placed on a school campus, students can enjoy hands-on lessons in agriculture. Children who help to grow fruits, vegetables and mushrooms are not only more likely to eat healthier foods, but they learn about the benefits of a healthy diet. Multiple studies have proven that hands-on learning not only increases test scores but also improves attentiveness in children. There is also the added benefit that the food grown can be sold in the school cafeteria with the proceeds funding extracurricular activities and school clubs.

Employment

You will also have the opportunity to hire local residents to work on the farm providing employment and increasing community involvement with your non-profit organization. Additionally, surplus yields can be sold at a local farmer’s market, providing fresh produce to the community and boosting the local economy.

Tax Exemption

Our farms qualify for tax exemptions under Tax Code 179, one of the few government incentives for small and large businesses alike. This tax code allows businesses to deduct the full price of qualifying equipment from their organization’s gross income in the first year of operation.

Start-up

Don’t know where to begin? FarmBox foods has a highly skilled setup crew that will take care of installing the farm and training your team. We offer training guides, online learning options, and quick guides to help you along the way. Our team is ready to assist you with all aspects of running your new farm, so reach out to us today to get started!