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GOTHAM GREENS Technology Selection & Business Development Farm City September 25, 2010 Jenn Nelkin, Greenhouse Director Gotham Greens

Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

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On 09/25/2010, horticulturalists Jennifer Nelkin described her work developing rooftop hydroponic greenhouse business called Gotham Greens in NYC. Farm City Forum concluded Farm City, a three-week series of events exploring the possibilities for urban agriculture in the current reality of NYC as part of Crossing the Line: FIAF Fall Festival from 9/12 to 9/25/2010. Farm City Forum took the format of an “unconference,” a lively participant-driven series of discussions exploring how to shape the future of urban agriculture. Three Sessions, each with its own distinct approach, brought together artists, farmers, urban planners, architects, food activists, and authors. The Primary Goal of the Forum was to engage participants in a visioning process about transformative possibilities of urban agriculture as a means to generate new thinking and experimental action positively impacting a more sustainable future. The Forum's Secondary Goal was to explore how artistic interventions transform and illuminate urban agricultural endeavors and vice versa.

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Page 1: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

GOTHAM GREENSTechnology Selection & Business Development

Farm CitySeptember 25, 2010

Jenn Nelkin, Greenhouse DirectorGotham Greens

Page 2: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

Nutrition & HealthFood AccessFood SafetyCommunity

Focus on Technology Selection & Business Development

Urban, Local Food MovementOverlapping interests

TransportationEnergy WaterPesticidesQualifying Terms is Critical

e.g. ‘Food Miles’

Is commercial urban farming viable?

Page 3: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

What does a plant need to grow?

SHOOTS- light - carbon dioxide- temperature- relative humidityROOTS

- water- temperature- nutrients- dissolved oxygen- pH

Page 4: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

Many methods and reasons to farm

consider output per input and source of inputs

drip irrigation high tunnel greenhouse hydroponic greenhouse

Increasing level of technology

Page 5: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

Controlled Environment Agriculture

• Year Round• High Quality• Adaptable• High Yields• Food Safety• Pesticide Free• High WUE• Efficient Land Use• Rainwater• Renewable Energy• Ecological Design• High Capital Cost• High Technical Skill

Page 6: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

CEA can grow food in arid climatesHigh light, low humidity, lack of water and arable land

Page 7: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

On islands with limited fresh water, arable landPoor quality of perishable produce delivered by boat

Page 8: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

In Antarctica

Antarctic TreatyWinter ProducePsychological BenefitsBiosystem Services

Page 9: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

On the MoonBiosystem services, reduce transport, fresh produce, psychological benefits

Page 10: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

On a Barge

Page 11: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

On a Roof in NYC… Gotham Greens

Page 12: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

[WHY?] Narrowing the focus to specific project goals is critical and can be the most difficult part in this exciting field.

Business DevelopmentStarting an Urban Farming Company

Team Building [WHO]

Site Selection [WHERE]

Design & Engineering [WHAT]

Financing [HOW]

Construction [WHEN]

Operation [HOW]

Page 13: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

Management Team

Page 14: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

• Greenpoint, Brooklyn

• Manufacturing Building

• 12,000 SF Greenhouse

• Recirculating Hydroponics

• Leafy Greens & Herbs

• Rainwater Collection

• Solar Energy

Hydroponic Rooftop Greenhouse

Page 15: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

Site Selection

• Zoning Regulations• Structural Loads

• Shading from Adjacent Structure•Building Integration Opportunities

Page 16: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin
Page 17: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

Grow Highest Quality Product: Flavor, Freshness, Nutrition, Food SafetyEnvironmentally Responsible Production Practices, City/Farm Synergies

Determine Economic & Environmental Performance of the Facility

Project Goals

Page 18: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

CROP SELECTION

GH Design Production System

Structure System Layout

Controls

Heating

Irrigation

Cooling

CO2

Glazing/Supplemental Lighting

Nutrient Delivery System

Type of production system

Page 19: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin

Equipment Selection

Production SystemEnvironmental Control

Additional Considerations• Local Climate, Year Round Production• Crop Selection, Market• Experience• Site Constraints• Costs

Page 20: Farm City Forum - Pecha Kucha - Gotham Greens - Jennifer Nelkin