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…
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…
All across the world, Ceres has helped growers create sustainable, energy-efficient commercial greenhouses in a wide range of climates. While you can’t choose your climate, many commercial greenhouse growers have options when it comes to location and orientation of their greenhouse. Several factors go into a good greenhouse site: solar aspect, shading, zoning, wind, access…
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…
Imagine running a business that uses innovative sustainable growing methods, creates little to no waste, and gives back to the community by supplying fresh, local food. Commercial aquaponics presents an opportunity to do all three, while also being financially profitable with high-value, year-round produce. While an enticing opportunity, planning a commercial aquaponics greenhouse requires a…
As much as cultivators wish they could predict what their outdoor growing season will be like, they are always at the mercy of Mother Nature. Whether it’s an early freeze, smoke pollution, drought or hailstorm, extreme and volatile weather patterns are becoming more frequent and are an increasing threat to our crop yield and food…
Why an automated controller is better than a thermostat for your climate controlled greenhouse Ceres’ patented solar design and innovative climate control technologies enable us to build year round greenhouses in any climate. Depending on geographic location, crop application, and specific client needs our greenhouses might operate with different types of ventilation, HVAC and other…
