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…
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…
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…
At Ceres, we help our clients become smarter growers by staying at the forefront of greenhouse technology. We conduct our own research on greenhouse systems and collaborate with research institutions so we can continue to optimize our structures. The following is an overview of Red and Far Red light radiation and its effects on plants.…
For the second installation of our greenhouse lighting series, we will be discussing the difference between the two most commonly used artificial lights in commercial greenhouse operations - HPS (high-pressure sodium) and LED (light-emitting diode). A Brief Introduction HPS bulbs create light by sending electricity back and forth through an “arc tube”. An external…
The Relationship Between Greenhouse Design and Supplemental Lighting The benefit of growing in a greenhouse, rather than growing indoors, is the ability to utilize free energy from the sun. The sun’s energy is more powerful and effective than any artificial light available. The downside is it’s not consistent. Sunlight intensity will fluctuate depending on a…
