Any friends, family, and fools are invited to help me with I-corp customer discovery market research on microgreens and clones.
powered by Typeform
Customer Discovery Market Research
Microgreens Maker
Microgreens Maker is coming out soon, and here is a sneak preview. Given that a farmer is able to grow microgreens in a 1020 tray and get a couple of pounds yield every week, we may pack 3 of those trays into one layer, stack 4 layers in one rack, and yield 24 pounds per system per week of cilantro microgreens that currently sell for $80 per pound. That’s $2,000 per week revenue from a $4,000 system that draws less than 500W.
We are in the process of finalizing our patent, and plan to have product available for sale in the near future.
The following drawing shows more details on the modular and scalable system along with call outs.
Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is getting 5 of our systems, and placing them in a cargo container. Although we could easily pack 10 systems in one cargo container, they are allowing room for a preparation table by each system.
With 5 systems, that’s $10k per week market potential with 52 crops per year for an annual gross income of $500k+
Their plans revolve around applied technology as opposed to commercial potential, and will give their crops to the community while providing an opportunity to educate students in urban agriculture.
Here’s a picture of the cargo containers that will go on their campus:
We’ll add our system to our shopping cart, and open our doors for business in the very near future.
Here’s a 3D CAD drawing of our 5 systems inside a cargo container:
Best regards,
Farmer Jim
Jim Ray, President/CTO & Founder
NetZero // Urban Agriculture – Grow Love. Feed. Every. Body.
office: 855-636-9114 cell: 984-459-0458 email: jim@hq.net0ag.com
Jinvoo and Home Smart Wifi Power Strip
The first time I used Jinvoo, it took me a minute to figure it out (well, hours, actually), and I compiled some resources that may help you.
Enjoy!
Regards,
Farmer Jim
Jim Ray, President/CTO & Founder
NetZero // Urban Agriculture – Grow Love. Feed. Every. Body.
office: 855-636-9114 cell: 984-459-0458 email: jim@hq.net0ag.com
Source
Here’s where I bought my device that uses Jinvoo:
Review
Top customer reviews
October 2, 2017 Verified Purchase This WiFi Smart Power Strip is very well designed. The options include using, or, turning on,any or all of the plug outlets all from the downloadable smartphone app (Jinvoo Smart). For example, if I have a device using outlet 1, and I want outlet 2 turned on for the ability to plug in another device, I can have just outlets 1 and 2 switched to on. Since I currently have a lamp with a simple step switch plugged into the WiFi Smart Power Strip, the lamp has to be in the “on” position 100% of the time, while I control the actual light on and off from my phone by turning the outlet on and off. Outlet 2 is independent and it can be open and available for a device to be plugged into it. The USB ports are a whole unit- “All-On”, or, “All-Off”.
After you plug the power strip into a wall outlet, scan the QR code and it brings you to the app that this Smart Wifi Power Strip uses. You do not need to have Alexa to use it. (Alexa works with Echo Dot.) Click down the power button and the app allows you to quickly add the power strip and it is as easy as that. At your fingertips, and from anywhere in the world, set your devices to turn on and/or off.
Once initial setup is created (YOU MUST HAVE THE POWER STRIP AND PHONE IN SAME WIFI ENVIRONMENT), you can use your phone from anywhere in the world to access your WiFi Smart Power Strip. Cellular networks (2G, 3G, and 4G) will allow access in to your WiFi Smart Power Strip. This would allow you to be able to turn on lamps and radios in your home to have people think you are in town. There are probably a lot of different devices you can have set up on this. You can even place a timer outlet switch into this unit, set it to “on” on the app, and have whatever you want be on a self timer (if you don’t want to control it yourself) and have other items self-controlled by you. This is a very powerful tool!This WiFi Smart Power Strip is great!
Pros:
+Built-in Wifi capability+Access from a phone app (anywhere in the world)+Ability to enable whichever outlets are needed+4 USB ports+ Price
Cons:
-Surge Protection-UL Listing (safety certification)
*Keep this power strip away from any possible water source as there is no surge protection. UL listing is an official safety certification, and it signifies that it has passed all electrical safety tests. (Just some info for you)
Photos
Jinvoo Smart on the App Store
Google Home
Amazon Echo
Video
Manual
The manual is so small that you need a magnifying glass to see it. Here are some photos of the essential information for you.
ResearchGate and Technical Information
For those interested in the research and technical details, I opened up an account with ResearchGate, posted my profile, and started a project.
The project is APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE WITH LIGHT EMITTING DIODES, and here is the direct link:
Here’s the goal for the project:
A system for controlled environment agriculture combines elements of mechanical and electrical design resulting in scalability and sustainability for agricultural production off the grid in a closed loop with network addressable components. The mechanical design includes a system of racks and stacked pans that increase the grow area without increasing the footprint, circulates the hydroponic solution that provides nutrients to the plants, maintains thermodynamic equilibrium of the water at the plant roots, transfers heat away from the light sources including Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and oxygenates the water.
Enjoy!
Regards,
Farmer Jim
Jim Ray, President/CTO & Founder
NetZero // Urban Agriculture – Grow Love. Feed. Every. Body.
office: 855-636-9114 cell: 984-459-0458
email: jim@hq.net0ag.com web: www.net0ag.com
Microgreens Instructions
Link to Johnny’s Seeds to Buy Microgreens Seeds, and Instructions on How to Grow Them
Please visit the following link to Johnny’s Seeds to order seeds to grow microgreens.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/microgreens/microgreen-mixes/
They have extensive information on seed varieties as well as instructions on how to grow microgreens. The following information from their web site may help you grow your microgreens.
Microgreens Instructions from Johnny’s Seeds
CULTURE:
Grow in a greenhouse or protected area. Follow the germination guidelines for the specific variety being grown. However, you can generally be successful by following the guidelines for Brassica family members: grow on potting mix or soilless medium of your choice in shallow trays or 20-row flats. Broadcast seed thickly on the media surface with seeds 1/8- 1/4″ apart, press seeds firmly into media for maximum soil contact, and cover lightly with sowing mix, vermiculite, or humidity dome. Micro greens can be germinated on heat mats, in germination chambers, or on greenhouse benches or floors.
WATERING:
Bottom water or mist to prevent sowing mix from splashing on the seedlings. Maintain even moisture and do not allow sowing medium to dry out.
TEMPERATURE:
Ideal soil temperature is 75°F (24°C) until germination, then reduced to 60°F (16°C). Optimal ambient temperatures are variety-specific, but 65–75°F/18–24C° is generally a favorable range. Temperatures above 75° can increase disease pressure and inhibit germination.
LIGHTING:
Consider supplemental lighting in any environment where natural light is insufficient, such as in a greenhouse during the short days of winter.
FERTILIZER:
For media that hold some fertility, such as potting mix, plain water is usually best. Watering with a dilute fertilizer solution is appropriate for media with no inherent nutrient value, or for slow-growing species that might exhaust fertility before reaching harvest stage. If fertilizing, incorporate fertilizer into the sowing mix before sowing, or use a bottom watering system for liquid applications to avoid residue on the leaves.
DAYS TO MATURITY:
Varies depending on the variety, growing conditions, and desired size at harvest. Fast-growing varieties are typically ready for harvest in 10-15 days while slow-growing varieties are ready in 16-25 days.
DISEASES:
Because they are planted so densely, micro greens can be prone to disorders, such as damping off, associated with poor air circulation and saturated media. Ensure air movement with horizontal airflow fans, use clean media and water sources, and use appropriate seeding density.
HARVEST:
Once cotyledons have fully developed, or once the first true leaves begin to emerge, depending upon your market. Typically, micro greens are harvested at 1/2-2″ in height. Cut with scissors or a sharp knife and minimize handling to reduce damage.
STORAGE:
Shelf life ranges from 5-10 days under proper storage conditions. Micro greens must be washed before serving.
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Regards,
Farmer Jim
Jim Ray, President/CTO & Founder
NetZero // Urban Agriculture – Grow Love. Feed. Every. Body.
office: 855-636-9114 cell: 984-459-0458
email: jim@hq.net0ag.com web: www.net0ag.com
Growing Microgreens
I buy my seeds for microgreens from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and they have a great article on their web site called the “Guide to Year-Round Microgreens Production” that I wanted to share:
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/year-round-micro-greens-production.html
The article includes planning, sowing, growing, harvesting, and marketing. The method they use may be different from the method I use; however, many of the steps are the same. Here are some tips in their article that may help others have the most success with microgreens.
Seed Density and Germination
For the floating tray technology I use to grow microgreens with the Speedling tray, I recommend that you follow the rule of thumb for seeds from the place where I buy my seeds:
“As a rule of thumb, sow small seeds at a density of approximately 10–12 seeds per square inch of tray surface, and larger or medium-sized seeds at a density of 6–8 seeds per square inch.”
I use the Speedling soil-less media, cover the seeds with a light layer, and then water gently. It is necessary to cover the trays to keep the media from drying out for 2-3 days while the seeds germinate. Those trays that sit in our pans may be covered with a sheet of plastic across the top of the pan. Keep the lights off during germination.
Growing
Our system requires that the building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system regulate the temperature, air flow, and humidity. Our system may be installed inside a grow tent or clean room with a separate HVAC system. Here is the recommendation regarding temperature for both germination and for growth:
“Optimal ambient temperatures are also variety-specific, but 65–75°F/18–24C° is generally a favorable range. Temperatures above 75° can increase disease pressure and inhibit germination in some varieties.”
Harvesting
Since microgreens lose much of their taste and nutritional value in 1 or 2 days after harvesting, I recommend that you do not harvest what you do not eat that day. You can cut with scissors what you want to eat whenever you want to eat, and keep the remainder growing for the next meal. As for when the microgreens are ready to harvest, here is a tip from the article:
“Microgreens are typically harvested at the first-true-leaf stage of growth, with the cotyledons still attached, or at the seed-leaf stage, at heights varying between 1–2 inches.”
That’s all for now. Happy urban agriculture!!!
Regards,
Farmer Jim
Jim Ray, President/CTO & Founder
NetZero // Urban Agriculture – Grow Love. Feed. Every. Body.
office: 855-636-9114 cell: 984-459-0458
email: jim@hq.net0ag.com web: www.net0ag.com
