Presentation toIlliana Vegetable Growers Symposium

1/6/2015

A powerful idea

Dr. Dickson Despommier

Some expensive ideas

Abandoned factories Hunger/poverty

A powerful idea

Agricultural run-off topsoil erosion issues

Drought and weather conditions

Maximize technology

Maximize quality

Implementing a good idea into a thriving business

Maximize space

Milan KlukoFounder & President

Presentation toIlliana Vegetable Growers Symposium

Milan Kluko 1/6/2015

This is traditional Midwest “soil” agriculture practiced in the United States

This is the current Midwest and east coast agricultural supply chain - California

Water: Impacts the supply chain, is required for growing, and is not available

Sources:• Smith, Richard. Leaf Lettuce Production in California. Working Paper. University of California - Davis, 2011. ANR Communication Services (7216) http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edc

• Kerns, D.L. Guidelines for Head Lettuce Production in Arizona. Working Paper. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, 2001. http://cals.arizona.edu/crops/vegetables/cromgt/az1099.html.

• Valenzuela, Hector. Lettuce Production Guidelines for Hawaii. Working Paper. University of Hawaii Extension Service,1994.http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/reports/lettuce_prod.html

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Water: what happens when its gone, its gone - now impacting over 30,000,000 people

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A four year drought takes its toll – and more is in store for “us” or is it less?

The traditional solution has been to regrade, replant hope it rains & irrigate

Implementing a good idea into a thriving business

← We can grow 1,016 to 20,000 plants in 36 ft²; Stacking multiple crops; Inside vacant urban buildings; 24/7, 365; Minimizing AG supply chain costs; Using 96% less land and 98% less water: Up to 17 harvests/year; Reducing ecosystem impacts.

How to grow good ideas into sustainable solutions

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Photosynthesis: power for plant growth

Light energy Chemical Energy

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Light Spectrum & Intensity – we know what plants need the right light - DLI

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Measuring and using light correctlyadapt to what the plant needs

*Phytochrome is a photoreceptor that plants use to detect light. It is sensitive to light in the red and far-red region of the visible spectrum.

*

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LOCAL, vertical farm-to-table 24/7 365 where the people are and tastes great!

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Grown in New Buffalo MI., Detroit, Ohio, London, India, Mongolia, Anywhere…

Newly planted Rocket (Arugula)

First harvest of rocket ready in 16 Days

Crocodile Spinach –Fresh, local, 365 24/7

Newly planted local Michigan strawberries (2013)

Michigan strawberries 35 days later grown indoor in Michigan or anywhere

Taste as good as they look 24/7 365 and LOCAL with a minimum “Foodprint”

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What will it take to feed the world “locally” and when…success leaves clues

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Opportunities and Advantages for Vertical Farming

Agricultural Supply Chain Innovation – grow where people are Food Transparency – know where food comes from - LOCAL Food Security – grown, packaged, shipped from one location Food Sovereignty – LOCAL or regional 365, 24/7, LOCAL We need deployment for early adopters of the Vertical Farm-

to-Table concept across a region and our country Let’s feed people that need to be fed LOCALLY with fresh food Let’s create local green collar jobs now and into the future Ecosystem performance – it’s real and sustainable! Seek out “partner clients” the retail supermarkets that are

selling local, “farm-to-table” let’s all make “a good profit” Start to augment our existing agricultural supply chain...in 60

days…how we respond will define our planets future

Our newest vertical farmsNow under construction

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Verified

Enrolled:Waiting for Verification