The feasibility sketch of a Controlled Environment Agriculture ( CEA ) Ecosystem in Kentucky number ten recommendations for the development of an AgTech ecosystem . These recommendations include a clear pathway for open domain and mid - tech high tunnel raiser to turn towards high - technical school CEA production and the development of relevant educational programme . Important steps have been take in the realisation of these recommendations , such as the visit of Dutch agrarian knowledge institute in a so - called Groen Pact mission and a SME raiser - oriented workshop to take over a cut - technical school approach .
Dutch Groen treaty delegation impose Kentucky educational & governmental organizationsA commission from the Netherlands , consisting of HAS Green Academy , InHolland University of Applied Sciences , Yuverta , HortiTech , NLWorks , the Netherlands Deputy Consul General in Chicago , and Kim Tran , the Agricultural Attaché at the Netherlands Embassy in Washington , D.C. , visited the Commonwealth of Kentucky The purpose of the delegation ’s visit was to further fortify and spread out existing tie , to discourse the possibilities for the We rise Together NL - US syndicate , to carry through / legion an SME grower - tailor shop , and to pave the way for the local intermediary to further enhance the collaboration(s ) and possibilities for student - speech exchanges , internships , and student task between educational institutions .
Kentucky has a large population of SME grower and has one of the highest usage of in high spirits tunnels in the US . This fact , compound with the rising requirement for local , hefty , and low-cost produce , produce many opportunities to meliorate the engineering level of those growers , which results in in high spirits profits and better yields . The Dutch Ag - tech sector can have a freehanded impact on SME raiser by helping them farm and develop with incremental steps along the Stepping Stone model .
Delegation visitThe delegation comprise of a mix of Dutch knowledge partners , both on the institutional degree and the practical level . The object of the sojourn was to explore chance with their Kentuckian counterparts and to connect with all relevant stakeholder in the Kentucky horticultural ecosystem .
The Dutch knowledge institution were center on connecting with the various Kentucky - base noesis foundation to regain out how they perceive the horticultural teaching require and how they have form their curriculum consequently . The deputation visit the abide by universities : the University of Kentucky , Eastern Kentucky University , Berea College , Kentucky State University , Morehead State University , University of Pikeville , and Fayette County Highschool . The deputation was supported by Groenpact . The main objective of Groenpact is to beef up and renew the Dutch knowledge and innovation system of rules , to be able to make a meaningful contribution to solve the major challenges of our time - at national and global levels -and to strengthen the sustainable fight of the Dutch unripened sphere .
Next to the visits to the noesis instauration , several visit were made to ( among others ) local nutrient - related businesses ( grower , end - substance abuser , facilitators ): The Food Connection , Grow Appalachia , AppHarvest , and Locals Foodhub . The destination of these sojourn was to notice out how ‘ local - for - local ’ production is mold in the Kentucky area . The drive towards more local nutrient is substantial and provides the opportunity to be converted into higher need for topically produced yield and vegetable . This , in return , should leave the local raiser wanting to spread out their operations , which is where the ‘ Let ’s Grow Together ’ consortium can play a role by showcasing Dutch technology and sharing the knowledge which can help growers expand and grow .
sew tech approachThe Dutch horticultural greenhouse technology is known for its high - technical school , high - take overture , which can be examine with big commercial-grade grower such as AppHarvest . However , this does not mean that Dutch applied science is specifically aim and useful for growers of this scale . SME growers require more incremental step , which gradually increase their profitability . In Kentucky alone , there are about 2,500 SME cultivator who produce their fruit and vegetables in many unlike path .
Multiple stepsSeveral steps have been attempt or are underway to aid the Kentucky horticultural sphere in its development path :
An SME comparing field ( completed)for create a salutary horizon of the SME situation in Kentucky and to use a ‘ good - practices ’ advance , HortiTech created a Tailored Tech SME study which described the developmental path the Dutch sector take ( in terms of production , marketing , and sales ) and to come up overlaps , challenge and chance for the Kentucky sector . The SME study will become available through NLWorks .
A grower workshop in Kentucky ( completed)During the visit from the Dutch delegation , HortiTech host , together with the Kentucky Horticultural Council , a workshop where the horticultural development ‘ Stepping Stones ’ where discussed , as well as an in - profoundness look at horticultural irrigation methods ( The Stepping Stone model creates a model where development from ‘ open field ’ cultivation to ‘ closed glasshouse ’ is visualise , which can produce a development path for the user ) . The shop served as a feedback here and now , where the present agriculturist could indicate where they abide on the stepping Harlan Fiske Stone ladder and where they would see themselves grow to . The principal focus which became apparent from the workshop outcome : make the need for local produce more visible and provide growers with a path forward . This should moderate to high productions , more food security for the local communities as well as a booming local - for - local food market .
Tech mapDutch engineering can play a important purpose in these operations as well , through a tailored tech glide slope ; finding and apply applied science on a modest scale can already leave in pregnant change in quality and quantity for the SME growers . The forthcoming goal is to map out these engineering science on various aspects ( mood control , vigour control , growing media , etc . ) and insert these steps through demonstration .
origin : Berichten Buitenland
