Keri Aivazis, co-owner of Urban Radish in Los Angeles, California, and dedicated advocate of the farm-to-fork movement, understands that urban farming offers a unique solution to the needs of city-based consumers who wish to improve their access to locally grown produce; however, the very nature of vertical farming, which is heralded by many as the future of this particular sector of the agricultural industry, presents many challenges One of the most significant hurdles is the need to get light into the lower levels of vertical farms. According to a recent article published by NPR, the use of so-called pinkhouses is the way of the future.
The article explains: "Light is a major problem with vertical farming. When you stack plants on top of each other, the ones at the top shade the ones at the bottom. The only way to get around it is to add artificial lightwhich is expensive both financially and environmentally." The solution, the article asserts, is to only use the wavelengths that plants need to thrive, which include red and blue. Due to the photosynthesis process, plants are able to grow in just red wavelengths; however, adding blue to the mixture, according to the article, allows produce to grow more satisfactorily. As such, using energy-efficient LED lights within greenhouses (turning them, essentially, into pinkhouses due to the colors of these lights) is a clever way in which vertical farmers can solve their lighting problem.
Aivazis believes that this creative solution to the issue holds great promise for the urban farming movement; however, there are some drawbacks to this particular approach. One, in particular, is money. "LEDs and pinkhouses offer a highly efficient solution for the costs of vertical farming, but they continue to carry a significant upfront investment that may deter many urban agriculturalists from using them," comments Keri Aivazis. "Policy makers have a real opportunity here to improve access to farm-fresh foods by creating economic incentive programs that promote the convergence of urban gentrification, localized farming, and energy efficient technologies."
Because pinkhouses are extremely efficient pertaining to energy use and, according to the article, water use, there are certainly financial benefits to this type of farming as opposed to traditional practices. But the truth is that these benefits may not financially catch up to the investment that individuals make into the initial creation of their farms for quite some time. As such, it is imperative that those who are interested in running pinkhouses are provided with the financial assets and incentives necessary to establish their farms.
Aivazis highly recommends that urban farmers open the lines of communication with local, state, and federal representatives to bring this matter to the attention of policy makers. By showing interest in this issue, individuals within the urban farming movement can work to create the incentives necessary to make this agricultural solution more realistic. Keri Aivazis hopes that, within the next few years, the tools necessary to further expand urban farming practices will be made available.
ABOUT:
Keri Aivazis, co-owner of Urban Radish, is a strong advocate for the farm-to-fork movement and is dedicated to providing the Arts District of Los Angeles, California, with fresh, healthy food items sourced from local farmers. Aivazis encourages members of this community to support local agricultural practices and to build a strong network of agriculturalists, farmers, and consumers.
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