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BUF Journey
Be Urban Farm (BUF) is a small-scale urban farm that utilizes a custom vertical growing system (VGS) designed exclusively by BUF to provide chemical free, nutritious, fresh cut to order micro-greens, baby-leaf greens and herbs to the local community. The BUF system has been designed with careful consideration of the environment and we are focused on minimizing our footprint, supporting local communities and providing high quality produce at a sustainable price.
Some benefits of the BUF VGS and supporting us;
Water Use - BUF VGS significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional farming. All water is filtered (chlorine/fluoride/contaminates removed) and conditioned before use. The water is continuously re-circulated through the BUF VGS and does not operate ‘drain to waste’. Constant filtering and monitoring of the water is done to ensure the right nutrients and environment is maintained for optimal growth. The only loss of water is from the plant transpiration and evaporation in the system.
Reduced Waste - The heart of the BUF VGS is its unique custom designed re-useable seed screens. This eliminates the need for any type of grow media (or soil) and the waste involved in disposing of spent media/soil. The only waste product of the whole BUF VGS is the roots of the plants which remain after harvest. These roots are put into local composting bins to create nutrient rich compost.
Chemical Free - The BUF VGS is grown in a controlled environment which allows the management of pests and disease to be done without the use of any chemicals. The first form of control is the growing environment which forms a barrier to keep pests and disease out. The secondary method is keeping the growing environment in a less favorable conditions for pests. These two actions alone considerably reduce pest and disease to plants. All recirculated water runs through passive aeration, mechanical and ultra-violet (UV) filtration which keeps the water disease free.
Controlled Environment - Growing in a controlled environment compared to traditional open field farming was not chosen without significant consideration towards the environment and what foot print BUF and its clients leave behind. Traditional farming may seam like the more environmentally friendly option, but ounce you factor in the significant water use reduction of the BUF VGS, reduced waste product, no chemicals used for pest management, minimal transportation and refrigeration required to get to the end user (grown in urban/built-up location for local use), compressed growing in stacked vertical beds allow 6+ times more produce from the same open field area, you start to realize the value vertical farming can have if implemented with the focus prioritized on sustainability not profits.
Energy Consumption – At the forefront of all design decisions is to reduce the use of electricity the BUF VGS system uses especially here in Australia which heavily relies on coal fired power stations.
Heating, Ventilation and Cooling – Passive methods are always used over active methods like air-conditioners and heaters. Natural filtered ventilation has been allowed for in the controlled environment design. Although a growing temperature of 25 degree Celsius is an ideal environment, BUF have made a conscious decision to forgo profit and allow the system to fluctuate with the natural seasons. This means the system does not perform optimal at times, but it reduces our energy consumption and footprint significantly as we do not use air-conditioners in summer and heaters in winter, which we feel is a worthwhile cause. Energy efficient mechanical fans are used for air exchange and movement within the controlled environment which is important in reducing pests and disease.
Humidity - One problem which leads to pest and disease in the hotter seasons of the year is relative humidity inside the controlled environment. At the hotter times of the seasons, de-humidifiers are currently being used to reduce the humidity below 80%RH. An ideal growing environment of 60%RH would be desirable, BUF have made a conscious decision to forgo profit and set-up the de-humidifiers to only operate when the controlled environment reaches above 80%RH, which significantly reduces the energy consumption.
Lighting - Growing vertically in a compressed stacked system in a controlled environment means that natural sunlight is not going to be available for the plants to thrive. BUF have conducted a considerable amount of trials to come up with a special lighting formula which consumes a lower amount of electricity while still providing the plants the energy they require. Micro and baby leaf greens do not require large amounts of energy compared to fruiting plants like tomatoes, zucchinis etc. Shoots require minimal light and have been designed to only receive ambient light from nearby shelves that have grow lights on. All these smart design behaviors allow the BUF VGS to have a reduced lighting energy consumption. Trials are currently being conducted running the VGS off solar power which would mean no use of grid coal fired electricity further reducing our footprint.
Water - Distribution of water is done by gravity where practical to reduce pump electricity consumption. Watering cycles also have been optimized to reduce pump operating times.
Produce that is grown in the BUF VGS.
Rocket (arugula)
Spinach
Mizuna
Tatsoi
Cabbage
Broccoli
Dill
Basil
Coriander (cilantro)
Mach
Red Mustard
Lemon Grass
Lemon Balm
Pea Shoots
Corn Shoots
Wheat Grass
Beetroot
Carrot
Radish
Recently BUF has started the journey into growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. Currently trials are being conducted with Lions Mane, King/Pink/Yellow/Pearl/Pheonix Oyster’s, Sword Belt and more to come, stay tuned exciting times.
For all inquiries please contact BUF through Facebook messenger or [email protected].
