One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stage—from a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second module—defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plants—to the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.

A transplanting device and method to eliminate seedling replanting stresses and reduce transplanting time, allowing several seedlings to quickly and efficiently go into the ground at one time in one fluid motion. The generally rectangular box has a sliding drip plate, supported above the box floor, creating an open region, allowing for water drainage and retention through the plurality of drain holes. The first short side and the opposing second short side are detachable and removable from the generally rectangular box. An alternative method provides an open top and open end slide tray in which a plurality of sliding drip plates are arrayed and separated into a plurality of plate spaces, having a plurality of seedling plants. A pair of slide handles is used to easily remove and identify the seedling plants.

An automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that includes a horizontal-to-vertical grow tower interface between a vertical grow structure that includes vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, and a processing system that performs one or more processing operations—such as harvesting, cleaning and/or transplanting—on the grow towers in a substantially horizontal orientation. The present disclosure also describes an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that selectively routes grow towers through various processing stages of an automated crop production system.

A method is proposed for remotely growing plants in a planting zone that is divided into multiple planting areas. Via an electronic device that communicates with a remote automated planting sub-system in the planting zone, a user may select desired planting area(s) and desired type(s) of plant precursors on the electronic device, and remotely cause the remote automated planting sub-system to plant the selected type(s) of plant precursors into the selected planting area(s).

A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.

A block storage element which is used for the propagation of vegetable or fungal biomass and is stackable. To enhance functionality of the block storage element, the block storage element includes a fluid reservoir with an overflow mechanism.

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.

A system for the fertigation of a plant vessel and method of use for the same is disclosed. The system comprises a grow module containing a plurality of growing trays additionally containing plants, and/or shoots of plants in various stages of development. The growing trays are individually extracted from the grow module via a tray movement system and tray elevator controlled by a control system and precisely placed in a fertigation system, wherein they are aligned over and lowered onto an at least one nozzle which penetrate the plant vessels containing the plants and fertigate them with a combination of water, nutrients, and/or pressurized air. The individual growing tray is then replaced in the grow module and the process is repeated for all growing trays and plant vessels in the grow module.

A potting accessory, corresponding plant pot, and corresponding method can include an insert that is removably insertable into a plant pot or outer shell. The insert includes a bottom portion and two or more lateral portions contiguous with the bottom portion, configured to be oriented substantially along an interior bottom and one or more interior lateral surfaces of the plant pot, respectively. The potting accessory also includes two or more handles configured to be held by a human. A mechanical connection of the handles to the respective lateral portions allows human hand(s) to situate the insert within the plant pot and to remove the insert from the plant pot. Embodiments allow for ease of transplanting and prevention of damage to plant pots, and to seedlings and other plants, during a transplanting process.

A seedling carrying device is provided, including a main body configured to support a seed tray, support parts connected to both sides of one side of the main body, a strap part including two terminals connected to the support parts and configured to be placed on a user's shoulder, and a reinforcing part connected to a center portion of the other side of the main body and connected to a center portion of the strap part.