Rooftop greenhouses are changing the way we think about urban and other densely populated areas. We are seeing cities redefine themselves by supporting and implementing alternative methods of agriculture to bring people closer to their food. This movement started with small community farms in empty lots, and rooftop gardens or “green roofs” sprouting on the…
In 2015 Ceres became involved in a student-led design project at Pomfret School, in which students of a science class taught by Bill Martin used engineering-design thinking to envision a passive solar greenhouse for their school. The goal was to design and build an educational greenhouse space where future students could build and operate aquaponic…
By Paige Schavey As summer approaches and the outside temperatures begin to rise, the temperature inside your greenhouse will begin to rise with it. How do you combat overheating inside your greenhouse? Here are four things you can do to keep those temps down. Passive Ventilation Open any windows and doors and leave…
Vertical farms have been getting a lot of attention in the (Ag)news lately, much of which has not been positive. Pittsburgh based vertical farm company Fifth Season closed operations in October this year, even after receiving $35 million from several large venture capital investors. Meanwhile InFarm, Europe’s biggest vertical farming company (valued at more than…
Not all greenhouses are created equal. Variance in greenhouse design, heating systems, and structural materials make certain greenhouses more applicable for colder climates than others. For instance, a hoop house might be a great season extender for a grower in the Pacific Northwest, but it couldn’t withstand high wind and snow loads that occur in…
A Ceres greenhouse just north of the Canadian border has been getting a lot of attention recently. After being featured in the July issue of Greenhouse Canada, the owner and head grower of the greenhouse, Rob Lyle, has offered his HighYield™ Kit to be the subject of a university research project. A team of graduate…
The cost of energy is rising at an alarming rate. Natural gas prices, in particular, have greenhouse growers nervous about their operational costs and questioning their business viability. This trend should act as an incentive for cultivators to look towards gas-free and energy-efficient greenhouse solutions in order to thrive. Luckily, these alternative energy solutions are…
When we design our commercial greenhouses, certain aspects of the structure (truss spacing, glazing material, and climate control equipment) can be adapted to the client’s climate and growing goals. At the base of every commercial design, is our HighYield™ Greenhouse Kit. In this blog we will define the structural elements of our HighYield™ Kit design…
Solar greenhouse design begins with choosing the correct orientation for your greenhouse on your given site. For those in the Northern hemisphere, the length of the greenhouse (longer dimension) should face south as this is where the majority of light comes from. The north side of the greenhouse will collect little, if any light, and…
Blue Sky Lodge is a luxury retreat experience in Utah that offers guests spirited mountain adventures and a chance to reconnect with nature as well as activities and amenities for peak relaxation. One of the unique aspects of Blue Sky is the sustainable farm at the ranch that grows fruits and vegetables for the guests…
