The present invention relates to an assembly with multiple layers allowing a closed loop automated process of growing plants in the air with assistance of a nutrient rich mist environment. The proposed method doesn’t require soil or aggregate medium. The proposed method allows vertical growth with small land footprint requirement. It further allows to grow any type of plant all the year around.

Embodiments provide a universal hay apparatus and method of use.

Embodiments provide a universal hay apparatus and method of use.

Harvesting systems for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that includes vertical grow towers or other grow structures. Some implementations of the invention include a two-stage grouping mechanism that increases the amount of plants or crops harvested from a grow tower. Some implementations of the invention allow for harvesting of grow towers having grow sites on opposing faces.

Harvesting systems for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that includes vertical grow towers or other grow structures. Some implementations of the invention include a two-stage grouping mechanism that increases the amount of plants or crops harvested from a grow tower. Some implementations of the invention allow for harvesting of grow towers having grow sites on opposing faces.

A lug transport includes a lower assembly having a frame with an upper end and a lower end. An upper assembly is attached to the upper end of the lower assembly. A plurality of storage spaces is defined by the upper assembly. At least one wheel is rotatably attached to the lower end of the lower assembly to allow the lug transport to travel along a surface. The storage spaces are sized and shaped to each receive an agricultural lug. The storage spaces are also configured to prevent sliding of an agricultural lug when contained within a storage space.

A lug transport includes a lower assembly having a frame with an upper end and a lower end. An upper assembly is attached to the upper end of the lower assembly. A plurality of storage spaces is defined by the upper assembly. At least one wheel is rotatably attached to the lower end of the lower assembly to allow the lug transport to travel along a surface. The storage spaces are sized and shaped to each receive an agricultural lug. The storage spaces are also configured to prevent sliding of an agricultural lug when contained within a storage space.

A pollen collection device for collecting pollen from crop plants grown in rows includes a housing assembly configured to be mounted on a base for being transported through a row of crop plants. The housing assembly receives at least a portion of the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants. An agitation assembly is attached to the housing assembly for agitating the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants to displace pollen from the plants. A pollen collection assembly is attached to the housing assembly for collecting the pollen displaced from the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants.

A pollen collection device for collecting pollen from crop plants grown in rows includes a housing assembly configured to be mounted on a base for being transported through a row of crop plants. The housing assembly receives at least a portion of the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants. An agitation assembly is attached to the housing assembly for agitating the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants to displace pollen from the plants. A pollen collection assembly is attached to the housing assembly for collecting the pollen displaced from the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants.

A produce growing and harvesting system is provided for use with at least one motor, the system comprising: a plurality of vertical grow towers, each grow tower defining a bore and including a plurality of apertures extending to the bore from an ambient environment, and a cylindrical upper end; a tower gear at the cylindrical upper end, the tower gear in motive communication with the grow tower; and a grip and rotate system, the grip and rotate system including a body, an external gear for engaging the tower gear, a strut extending between the body and the external gear and in rotational communication with the external gear, a pair of arms attached to the body; a first grip jaw and a second grip jaw defining an opening sized to accept the cylindrical upper end of each grow tower, each grip jaw attached to one of the pair of arms, and including a plurality of rollers disposed in the opening.