| Quick Fact- Straining Aquifers and Aquatic Systems: “Global freshwater use tripled during the second half of the twentieth century as population more than doubled and as technological advances let farmers and other water users pump groundwater from greater depths and harness river water with more and larger dams. As global demand soars, pressures on the world’s water resources are straining aquatic systems worldwide. Rivers are running dry, lakes are disappearing, and water tables are dropping. Nearly 70 percent of global water withdrawals from rivers, lakes, and aquifers are used for irrigation, while industry and households account for 20 and 10 percent, respectively.” www.earth-policy.org/Indicators/Water “Preliminary indications are that hydroponics greenhouses in New Mexico, for example, could reduce the current 987,000 cubic meters of water used in agriculture to 13,500 cubic meters to produce an equivalent amount (dry weight) of livestock forage.* This equivalent yield could be produced on less than 404 hectares instead of more than 105,000 hectares - the current amount used for New Mexico production of alfalfa. Eighty percent of New Mexico's water use is agricultural. More than half goes to grow forage, mostly alfalfa. Similar water-use conditions exist in many countries. Conventional farming methods in arid regions lose huge amounts of water through evaporation and over-absorption by soil. Over time, this can also cause soil salination and loss of agricultural productivity. Neither occurs in hydroponics greenhouses, which do not require high quality arable land to function." usinfo.state. gov/gi/Archive/2004/Sep/09-929384.html |
12-29-08
12-30-08
| This ends 2008 with an empty greenhouse conveniently corresponding to student's Holiday Vacation. Coming Soon... 2009 |
| LED Grow Lights in the Greenhouse at Alfred Over the Holidays End of 2008. |
1-08-09
LED greenhouse lighting in Alfred NY
1-11-09
12-19-08
| Quick Fact- Reducing Cooling Costs with LED Grow Lights: LEDs operate at less than 15 degrees above ambient temperatures. In comparison to traditional lighting- this greatly reduces cooling costs which become greatest in the summer when electricity costs are at their peak. |
| Quick Fact- Safety in the Greenhouse: The high heat generated by a typical metal halide or high pressure sodium lamp is more than enough to ignite nearby combustible objects such as paper or cloth. Their reflectors often get very hot as well, and can cause severe burns if they are accidentally touched. Our LED-based grow lights operate at just a few degrees above room temperature. This low voltage lighting greatly reduces the risk of shock, fire, and burns, especially in a wet greenhouse environment. Unlike conventional lighting- LGM grow lights contain no glass parts, lead, or mercury providing the safest option available for your greenhouse. |
| Quick Fact- Agriculture with Solar and Wind: As we strive to progress towards alternative energy sources- LED Grow Master provides a grow light that is designed for compatibility to solar and wind power. |
| Quick Fact- Environmental Control: Hydroponics allows total control of growing environment and plant nutrition. Pest, weed, and disease problems are more easily managed and growers have more control over the plants rooting environment (you can easily manipulate the root zone's temperature, humidity, darkness, etc). Hydroponics allows for greater reliability and predictability of plant production. |
| Center for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. |
| Toll Free in the US and Canada 1-866-414-7244 Fax 541-610-1973 International Inquiries to 1-541-504-6360 Email LED Grow Master Global, LLC at info@led-grow-master.com |