Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Collège Boréal
$25,000.00
Innovation tools for indoor farming
FY 2019-20
Summary
Innovative forms of indoor farming, including vertical farming using zip towers, are becoming increasing important in regions such as Northern Ontario, where the growing season is shorter yet the demand for fresh, organic, nutrient-dense locally-grown produce available year-round is increasing. Nonetheless, while vertical farming is becoming increasingly popular as a means for both the personal and commercial provision of food, in both urban and rural centres, there is a lack of specialized equipment for zip tower technologies, leading to decreased productivity when growing and harvesting produce. The objective of this new partnership between Collège Boréal and Borealis Fresh Farms Inc. is therefore to 1) design and produce a prototype tool to remove used seed plugs from the zip tower after harvesting; and 2) to create wireless humidity monitoring and remote data collection systems to be installed in the zip towers. These tools will lead to greater efficiency and enhanced productivity at Borealis Fresh Farms Inc.
Program
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
546962-2019
Name nom
Craig, Robin
Department département
Siège Social
Organization id
32784
Institution établissement
Collège Boréal
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2019
Competition year année de concours
2019
Award amount
25000
Program id
CARD1
Program name en
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée - niveau 1
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
1561
Committee name en
Applied Research and Development Grants
Committee name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée
Area of application code
100
Area of application group en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application group fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Area of application en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Research subject code
1200
Research subject group en
Agricultural engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie rural
Research subject en
Agricultural engineering
Research subject fr
Génie rural
Installment
inst:1 - 1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Innovation tools for indoor farming
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Innovative forms of indoor farming, including vertical farming using zip towers, are becoming increasing important in regions such as Northern Ontario, where the growing season is shorter yet the demand for fresh, organic, nutrient-dense locally-grown produce available year-round is increasing. Nonetheless, while vertical farming is becoming increasingly popular as a means for both the personal and commercial provision of food, in both urban and rural centres, there is a lack of specialized equipment for zip tower technologies, leading to decreased productivity when growing and harvesting produce. The objective of this new partnership between Collège Boréal and Borealis Fresh Farms Inc. is therefore to 1) design and produce a prototype tool to remove used seed plugs from the zip tower after harvesting; and 2) to create wireless humidity monitoring and remote data collection systems to be installed in the zip towers. These tools will lead to greater efficiency and enhanced productivity at Borealis Fresh Farms Inc.
