The present disclosure provides for, and includes, environments for the production, transport and storage of agricultural products including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, grains, tubers, decorative plants, flowers and mushrooms. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing environments for the preservation and production of agricultural products Also provided are organic agricultural products having reduced levels of microorganisms and residual organic compounds.

Systems and methods of generating water for growing or vitally supporting plants, fungi, and/or aquatic animals are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes process fluid produced by plant transpiration or fungus respiration to generate water. Nutrients may be added to the water through hydroponic and aquaponic systems, then provided back to the plants in a closed loop. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.

Systems and methods of generating water for growing or vitally supporting plants, fungi, and/or aquatic animals are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes process fluid produced by plant transpiration or fungus respiration to generate water. Nutrients may be added to the water through hydroponic and aquaponic systems, then provided back to the plants in a closed loop. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.

A method of determining ripeness of a growing mushroom involves obtaining a sequence of images of a growing mushroom over a period of time and, from the sequence of images, measuring one or more features of the growing mushroom to obtain temporal measurements for the one or more features. The temporal measurements indicate rates at which the one or more features are changing. The temporal measurements are compared to pre-determined ripeness functions to determine the ripeness of the mushroom. The mushroom is picked if the comparison indicates that the mushroom is ready to be harvested.

A method of determining ripeness of a growing mushroom involves obtaining a sequence of images of a growing mushroom over a period of time and, from the sequence of images, measuring one or more features of the growing mushroom to obtain temporal measurements for the one or more features. The temporal measurements indicate rates at which the one or more features are changing. The temporal measurements are compared to pre-determined ripeness functions to determine the ripeness of the mushroom. The mushroom is picked if the comparison indicates that the mushroom is ready to be harvested.

The present specification provides a method of preparing a mycelium complex, which includes inputting a β-glucan-containing mushroom raw material into a medium, inputting a physiologically active material-containing plant raw material into the medium, and culturing the β-glucan-containing mushroom raw material with the physiologically active material-containing plant raw material, a mycelium complex, and a method of preparing a β-glucan-containing product.

The present specification provides a method of preparing a mycelium complex, which includes inputting a β-glucan-containing mushroom raw material into a medium, inputting a physiologically active material-containing plant raw material into the medium, and culturing the β-glucan-containing mushroom raw material with the physiologically active material-containing plant raw material, a mycelium complex, and a method of preparing a β-glucan-containing product.

A hydroponic plant production apparatus comprising: a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube is provided. Methods for use of a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube are also provided.

A hydroponic plant production apparatus comprising: a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube is provided. Methods for use of a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube are also provided.

A tiered, modular agriculture system includes a livestock module at ambient ground level and a second module having a second interior microclimate elevated with respect to the livestock module. The second module receives air from the livestock module by way of a noncorrodible, graduated slope, heat collection duct. Each module has an interior microclimate.