2. Alisia from SLV Nutrition Department

   arojas@slvusd.org

cc: meschill@cabrillo.edu

Professor Taylor can be contact Thursday via Zoom between 11:00 and 1:45 AM. In addition Professor Taylor can be contacted before or after class.

Professor Schilling can be contacted Mondays via Gmeets between 8:45 and 9:15 AM

I believe some of the social economic benefits include a more sustainable and environmentally friendly method of growing food. 

Food can be grown closer to the urban centers, shortening the supply chain from farm to market thus saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions.

In addition, fresh produce is made more accessible year  a round to those communities where fresh produce may otherwise be lacking as a result of a shorter supply chain. In other words, food is grown and sold locally rather than food originating from some distant farm outside the city or perhaps out of the region.

The main idea of the article titled, “Food production using controlled environment agriculture….” is that controlled environment agriculture may be viable (economically) in the future. That research done by the US Department of Agriculture and Virginia Tech concluded that controlled environment agriculture, referred to in the article as “innovative techniques” can increase food production and make produce more nutritious. In addition their study concluded that this method of farming can shorten the supply chain from farm to market thus making it more accessible to “local” markets and providing year round produce to those markets.

Though this method of farming currently will not replace traditional farming, it can, in the future, potentially grow as an industry. It has the potential of radically changing what is currently practiced as conventional agriculture. 

Though not directly stated in the article, the cost of energy to grow produce in a controlled environment would be expensive, However, the article discusses the new and improving use of agri voltaics technology to produce energy through the use of solar panels to reduce the cost of growing food using such methods.

The three sources of water would include well water, pond or stream water, and municipal water.

Well water would likely be the most complicated from the perspective of water quality. The location and depth of the well can dictate the quality of well water which includes, pH, minerals, bacterial levels and chemical / agricultural chemical contamination. 

Pond or stream water (surface water) may have issues of siltation, bacterial levels, minerals, chemical / agricultural chemicals, and possibly pH.

Municipal water is likely to have no significant bacterial levels due to the chlorine or other chemicals used to disinfect the water. It may also have fluoride added to the water. There may be an issue concerning pH. In my case I need to add that my municipal water will occasionally have sand / silt in the water if it has not been flushed properly after a repair of the water line has been completed.

Review the most common  vegetables and fruits grown in soilless environments. Learn, share and describe the seedling life cycle….

The most common vegetables and fruits grown in soilless environments are as follows…

Leafy green vegetables, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers and Herbs.

The most common fruits grown in soilless environments include Strawberries and Melons.

The seedling life cycle is as follows.

It starts with the seed stage where the seed contains an embryo, endosperm (starch) and a protective coating.

It then follows with a germination stage where seed absorbs water, swells and breaks it seed coating. It is followed by the radicle emerging, which allows the embryonic root to observe water and nutrients. In this stage the stem emerges from the soil and will start to grow towards the light source.

This is followed by the seedling stage where photosynthesis occurs as the seedling develope its leaves. As photosynthesis occurs it is able to convert light energy to chemical energy. This chemical energy is in the form of sugars, specifically carbohydrates. The plant sugars allow the plant to complete its metabolic functions such as respiration and store excess sugars in its roots for future use. 

This is followed by the vegetative stage which involves the plant maturing and growing in size creating new and larger  leaves, stems and roots. The roots expand outward into the soil allowing the plant to increase its ability in absorbing more and more nutrients and water from the soil (or soilless media).

This is followed by its reproductive stage where the plant produces flowers, then fruit and or  seeds. Its ultimate purpose is to reproduce. Once it reproduces its life cycle is complete.

Note: Atthe time of this writting I was unable to view Lecture 3 in Spotify.

Comment on Article #2. What were the key takeaways?

“Controlled environment agriculture" (CEA) is a developing agricultural system (technology) that holds promise in that it is environmentally and sustainably friendly. It can reduce it carbon footprint by shortening its supply chain from farm to market. It is a system of agriculture producing nutritious produce in the urban areas and making this available in communities where fresh produce is hard to come by. It may also become economical in that this system can be increased in scale and produce food year around and is unaffected by seasonality and climatic stresses. It's only drawback that I infer from this article is the massive amount of energy needed to maintain a closed environment such as artificial or augmented lighting. However, with the development of agri-voltaics technology (solar and possibly wind generated energy), agri-voltaics may offset the cost of energy to operate such an agricultural system, especially as the technology matures. Thus making it more economical and commercially profitable.

Further do you believe that green energy can be used to substantially cut the operational cost in growing hydroponic produce.

1. Project Focus

2. Group Members (Names / Role)

3. Date your group plans to assemble and plan, problem-solve

Considerations:

Have you definitively chosen a project? Does each group member have a role? an objective? a key focus?

Each episode of the globetrotting show focuses on a single key ingredient to consider the way it's shaped our history, our society and perhaps our future.

Compose a response to an episode by sharing the ingredient focus and consider answering the questions in this weeks slide deck.

1. -

2. -

3. -

Ask and answer at least 5 questions. Submit the transcript on Canvas.

The difference between the two did not appear significant but based on the results I would grow the hydroponically in regular untreated municipal water, thus removing a step in growing hydroponically, making the process simpler and less time consuming.

As to how I would change this experiment, I think I would add a “control” growing the Daikon and other plants in distilled water in the exact manner that the other two groups were grown. In addition, I would repeat the experiment several times, perhaps three times, to confirm that the results in each experiment were consistent.

In addition, it would be interesting to see what the results are, including the control, when grown indoors and hydroponically in the winter and again in the spring. Does the change in water temperature affect the growth of hydroponically grown plants, namely Daikon in this case?

The most important part of the internal leaf is the chlorophyll. The leaf absorbs light in the green spectrum. The chlorophyll converts light (light energy) into chemical energy. This chemical energy is in the form of carbohydrates which are used in the plant's metabolic processes. Any excess unspent carbohydrates are stored mostly in the roots. Since plant respiration takes place 24 hours a day, regardless of presence or absence of light, the stored carbohydrates are used in cellular respiration, providing plants with energy (oxidation of the carbohydrates) to maintain their metabolic functions when photosynthesis is not occurring, that is at night.

The middle school obtained a grant to build a hydroponic system which they located in their existing greenhouse. Once the hydroponic system was built the students grew leafy green vegetables (including herbs) in this hydroponic system as a science project. During their absence their leafy greens wilted.

Their science teacher used this problem to teach problem solving skills as to what went wrong and determined possible solutions to this problem.  They tested the existing hydroponic water and determined that there was an increase in nitrates and that the pH of the water had become acidic.

They determined three possible solutions to this problem and elected to replace existing water in their hydroponic system. Once this was completed the plants recovered.

In doing a quick Google AI search I found that algae can increase the nitrates in water and cause the fluctuation of pH. As the plants respire at night the release of carbon dioxide in the water can lower the pH. 

Carbon Dioxide is a weak acid which releases Hydrogen Ions, The increase in Hydrogen Ions causes the water to become acidic.

Reflection of Fall Tour….

I lead one tour in the mid afternoon. There were approximately four visitors on this tour. I think my tour went well. Many questions were asked which I was able to answer. The visitors were impressed by Cabrillo College Hydroponics….

Reflection of Fall Tour….

I lead one tour in the mid afternoon. There were approximately four visitors on this tour. I think my tour went well. Many questions were asked which I was able to answer. The visitors were impressed by Cabrillo College Hydroponics….

What are you growing in the school's hydroponic system. How did you obtain the funding for this project. What is the school administration's and parent's opinion as to this project.

Are the student's assisting in the hydroponic program and is it being used as part of the science curriculum?

Hanging Gardens of Babylon…

The fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon was believed to be located in Iraq and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It consisted of a terraced step like structure with each terrace planted with vegetation and irrigated by river water. 

The actual method by which the garden was irrigated is unknown. It is believed to have been irrigated by a simple mechanical pump-like system similar to a water wheel. Bucket-like containers were attached to the wheel, scooping up water and the wheel powered by the current of the river. This simple mechanical system is currently used in Iraq.

Another system may have been a propeller-like or corkscrew device which was also powered by the river current.

Floating Gardens of China…

I was unable to view the article due to the required subscription policy of the New York Times. 

However I did a Google Search for this in lieu of reading the requisite article…

The Floating Gardens of China dates back to the 4th Century. Its current form of this floating garden exists in the Yongning River Park in Mainland China, constructed in July 2002. The floating garden is constructed of floating rafts made out of reeds. Chinese Cabbage is grown on these rafts and are irrigated by the river itself in which the rafts are floating.

China has a history of famines due to droughts and floods. The floating gardens alleviated famine because this system of farming increased agricultural production allowing for year round growing of food crops. This form of garden was efficient in irrigating crops, especially during droughts, since the water needed to grow food crops was immediately beneath the garden itself. In addition, the sediments containing organic matter originated from the river water lodged themselves amongst the reed platforms. This was the source of nutrients which allowed food crops to grow. Finally this form of agriculture is sustainable without depleting existing agricultural soils or adding external inputs that have to be transported from elsewhere.

Source for this write up… Google AI and Chat GPT

Emails to guest speakers were sent on 10/24/2024

Describe the role of Nitrogen in the growing process….

Nitrogen is a macronutrient that is vital for plant growth in that it has a major role in producing chlorophyll. Without nitrogen, chlorophyll could not be produced and as such photosynthesis could not occur. Without photosynthesis, the plant can not convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates that are needed for plant physiological processes.

State one fact from Article #9….

Hydroponics was used to grow food during World War II and during the 1950’s utilized to grow cut flowers in greenhouses. However, this method was abandoned because of the lack of skilled employees needed to run nutrient solution tests and make the necessary “nutrient adjustments”. In addition before “chemically resistant plastics” were commercially available there were issues concerning corrosion of “valves, tanks and pipes”. Obviously this has changed with the adaption of plastic (pvc) irrigation components.

Please share a relevant, current article with classmates, staff and instructors.

Comment on a minimum of 3 articles shared.

+

cc: meschill@cabrillo.edu

// https://www.cabrillo.edu/directory/mimi-schilling/

External Link: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/07/09/tribecas-hydroponic-underground

to someone unfamiliar with hydroponics. How does this topic fit into your knowledge bank from this semester-long exploration?

As we wrap up this semester of hydroponics, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to each of you.

It has truly been a privilege to learn alongside you and watch you engage with such a fascinating and vital subject. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication have made this class not only enjoyable but incredibly rewarding.

Hydroponics is such an exciting field, and I hope the knowledge you've gained will inspire you to continue exploring and innovating, whether in the lab, at home, or in future careers. You’ve all brought something unique to the table, and I’ve learned just as much from you as I hope you’ve learned from me.

As an instructor, I’m always looking for ways to grow and improve. I’d deeply appreciate it if you could share one or two tips, suggestions, or observations that could help me better support future students. Your feedback will help me continue to improve and make each experience even better.

Thank you again for your hard work and commitment throughout the semester. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors, and I hope to see you in another class soon!

Warmest regards,

mimi

My wife who is originally from Japan used to own several restaurants and as such an amateur gourmet chef. As such I would like to grow "Akatade" . Akatade is a spicy herb which is used on Sashimi which my wife often prepares for dinner.

Note that I was not able to access the article pertaining to this question and my answer concerning fertigation was based on an web search on this topic....

Fertigation is a method by which nutrients are delivered to plants that are grown hydroponically utilizing the irrigation system. A nutrient solution is added to the recirculating irrigation system which is a key component of any hydroponic growing method. The introduction of oxygen through an aerator, the adjustable concentration of nutrients

I did not find any article that I found particularly interesting but instead share the results of my hydroponic experiment which is partially based on research articles concerning my topic.

The group that I was assigned to decided to compare how Deep Water Raft (DWR) and Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) affected Nufar Basil growth in a controlled environment.

Most of the published articles that I reviewed concerning this topic indicated that DWR was a more efficient and productive method in growing leafy greens. 

Basil was grown from seed utilizing DWR and NFT systems in our hydroponic greenhouse. Over a course of one and half months the data collected showed that there was a significant difference between the two systems. Statistically, the seedlings grown in DWR were as a whole taller and weighted more by fresh biomass than those seedlings grown utilizing the NFT system. 

The mean average for basil height grown in DWR (stem and leaves only) was 23.9 centimeters. The mean average for basil height grown in NFT was 22.9 centimeters.

Fresh biomass for basil grown in DWR (stem and leaves only) averaged 48.6 grams and basil grown in NFT averaged 45.4 grams. As such the basil grown utilizing DWR were generally taller and weighted more than basil grown in the NFT system.

To conclude, the results of this experiment fell in line with the majority of the papers that I reviewed for this study.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a hydroponic system that consists of a recirculating irrigation system consisting of an oxygenated nutrient solution. Seedlings, typically leafy greens, are suspended above a shallow and narrow channel while their roots are exposed to a thin film of oxygenated solution that passes through the bottom of the channel. In this way, the seedling roots are continuously exposed to water, nutrients and oxygen in the form of a solution and thus can be absorbed by the seedlings allowing for the seedlings to grow.

The article described an experiment that attempted to improve the NFT system. The article discussed that as the oxygenated nutrient solution passes through the channel, the concentration of oxygen and nutrients in the solution gradually dissipates as the solution moves further away from the source. This causes uneven growth in the leafy greens grown in the NFT channel. The article suggested methods by which the oxygenated nutrient solution can be kept uniform and one of the suggestions was to reduce the length of the channels to nine meters. 

The group that I was assigned to decided to compare how Deep Water Raft (DWR) and Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) affected Nufar Basil growth in a controlled environment.

Most of the published articles that I reviewed concerning this topic indicated that DWR was a more efficient and productive method in growing leafy greens. 

Basil was grown from seed utilizing DWR and NFT systems in our hydroponic greenhouse. Over a course of one and half months the data collected showed that there was a significant difference between the two systems. Statistically, the seedlings grown in DWR were as a whole taller and weighted more by fresh biomass than those seedlings grown utilizing the NFT system. 

The mean average for basil height grown in DWR (stem and leaves only) was 23.9 centimeters. The mean average for basil height grown in NFT was 22.9 centimeters. While fresh biomass for basil grown in DWR (stem and leaves only) averaged 48.6 grams and basil grown in NFT averaged 45.4 grams. As such the basil grown utilizing DWR were generally taller and weighted more than basil grown in the NFT system.

Finally the results of this experiment fell in line with the majority of the papers that I reviewed for this study.

Evaluate Plant Nutrition …. Apple TV

Sorry I don’t have a subscription to Apple TV and do not wish to do a new free trial subscription because ultimately I will forget to cancel the subscript.

Key Takeaways…

As someone that has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and nearly a forty year career in government, it is my humble opinion that Proposition 4 (like most state ballot initiatives) is a means by which our elected officials avoid making hard decisions and instead kicks the can to the voters to decide, thus avoiding hot topic social issues. This is a very common tactic used in Sacramento.

That said, my key takeaways are as follows……

1. Public funds to be dedicated to support farming practices to improve soil health….

2. Funds dedicated to protect farmland from urban development.

3. Funds dedicated to farmer worker safety and health allowing for retro fits of housing and safe / affordable drinking  and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers and their communities.

I believe the most important consideration in successfully operating an aquaponic system is the biological filtration system. It needs to be designed so that its filters allow for desired maximum concentration of ammonia and develop the ecological system in the system to break down ammonia into nitrites and then into usable nitrates. It is nitrogen in the form of nitrates that the plants grown in the aquaponic system utilize. Plants can not utilize nitrogen in the form of ammonia or nitrites. 

To successfully operate an aquaponic system this finely tuned ecological balance must be maintained. If the ecology of the system is out of balance the accumulation of ammonia may kill the fish living in the system. If the bacteria isn’t present in the recirculating oxygenated nutrient solution in sufficient numbers, bacteria can not convert the ammonia into a usable form of nitrates. 

If there isn’t sufficient oxygen in the nutrient solution the aerobic bacterial decomposition that naturally occurs in this system will go anaerobic, thus releasing toxic chemicals that will potentially kill the plants. If there isn’t sufficient oxygen in the nutrient solution plants can not respire and the plants will eventually die.

Tilapia is the most common fish used in aquaponics because they are hardy, can adapt to a wide range of water conditions and quickly grow making them ideal for small and commercial aquaponic operations.

Barramundi is a highly valued fish for the following reasons...

Barramundi, often called “giant perch” isi grown in aquaculture production and suitable for use in aquaponics.

In the wild, Barramundi when fully mature to five to ten pounds. In aquaponics it can grow to one and half to two pounds in one year. It is a considered a market alternative to snapper or halibut.