Hort Americas developed the Green PODs concept in partnership with G-CON Manufacturing, also a maker of modular production units for the pharmaceutical industry. As a team they took the concept of a self-contained unit and applied it to
controlled environment agriculture. With the ability to adjust every variable, from temperature and humidity to lighting and irrigation, the Green POD allows for a great deal of experimentation.“We see the Green PODs as a way to prove concepts in controlled environment agriculture,” said Hort America's Chris Higgins. “Our goal is to give people the opportunity to try different things.” In addition to providing growers with the ability to customize the size and configuration of the unit, the Pods were designed with an eye toward affordability. Because the units can be transported easily by truck, they can be placed inside warehouses, and by using the ambient temperature of within the storage facility, heating and cooling costs are cut. Humidity settings can be adjusted between 30-60% and the units can achieve uniform temperatures from 60 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to note that the Pods can be completely customized and each Green Pod is built to order allowing customers to consult with Hort Americas and determine what the best design for their application would be.
The GreenPODs debuted at the 2013 OFA Short Course booth from Hort Americas in Columbus, Ohio.
The most logical customers for Green PODs are universities and research institutions, but Higgins thinks they could have the biggest impact on growers, farmers and entrepreneurs who want an affordable way to test new growing techniques. Having a proof of concept for a new way of doing things can help growers justify large investments in new commercial facilities, greenhouses, laboratories, urban or vertical farms.
Chris Higgins
“You can control everything in the unit, so it's really open to what your imagination can create,” said Higgins. Next to this, the entire structure is made of simple materials and easy to use climate controls. It’s not designed to be high-end (cost), but it is high quality. In this way we give people a way to prove their ideas without going broke.”
For more information: Hort Americas, LLC
Chris Higgins
Skype: chigginsconsultant
T: +1 469 532 2261
E: chiggins@hortamericas.com
www.hortamericas.com