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.

The embodiments of the present invention relate to the cultivation-, packaging-, and shipping of plugs, containing a seed or seedling and a substrate. In particular, a holder (10) is contrived having one or multiple cavities (11) in which a plug can be placed, together with one or multiple removal slits (12). Furthermore, a packaging tray (30) is contrived, having engaging means (32) and a perforated foil, to be used in unison with a particular holder for shipping that particular holder to a retailer or a customer. The holder could be placeable in both a cultivation tray (80) and a packaging tray (30).

A vegetation hanger includes a linear plate and an aperture. The linear plate includes a first edge, a second edge, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The first edge includes at least one ridge disposed along the first edge. The aperture is disposed centrally along the linear plate and configured to slidably engage with a bar.

The present disclosure is related to improved potting vessels, and more specifically to an improved multi-functional textile vessel. The vessels disclosed include novel textiles, including composites of natural and synthetic materials, and microencapsulated growth aid. In a preferred embodiment, Aloe Vera is microencapsulated in a textile vessel to enhance plant growth and yield. The disclosed vessels further provided novel mixing systems and on-board tie-down systems that enhance the overall efficiency of planting processes.

A system for packaging growth medium pots onto propagation trays is provided. The system includes an apparatus adapted for producing a length of growth medium cut into growth medium pots of suitable size; and a distributor apparatus adapted for positioning growth medium pots into a propagation tray or the like. The distributor apparatus comprises a) a first apparatus, b) a conveyor unit, and c) a second apparatus. The first apparatus is configured for positioning growth medium pots onto said conveyor unit. The conveyor unit comprises an endless conveyor belt adapted for transporting the growth medium pots toward the second apparatus. The second apparatus is configured for moving said growth medium pots positioned on the said conveyor belt into a propagation tray or the like.

A seedling growing system includes: a cargo transport container provided with heat insulating treatment; a movement robot for moving on a path in the cargo transport container; seedling growing tray racks including a multi-shelf germination rack for holding, until germination, a seedling growing tray on which seeds are sown, a multi-shelf seedling growing rack for holding a seedling growing tray on which seedlings have germinated, and a multi-shelf shipment rack for holding a seedling growing tray for shipping grown seedlings; and an arm or table provided to the movement robot and capable of transferring each seedling growing tray between the movement robot and each of the multi-shelf germination rack, multi-shelf seedling growing rack, and the multi-shelf shipment rack.

A multifunctional seedling culturing apparatus includes a fixed seedling culturing pedestal and a movable seedling culturing shelf cart, where the fixed seedling culturing pedestal includes a frame, and light sources are disposed on the frame; the movable seedling culturing shelf cart includes a board shelf, at least two boards are disposed on the board shelf, planting plates are disposed on the at least two boards, a movable apparatus is disposed on a bottom of the board shelf, and the at least two boards on the board shelf match light source positions on the fixed seedling culturing pedestal.

One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first moduledefining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stagefrom a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second moduledefining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plantsto 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 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 method and a system for growing plants on multilayer principle in mobile gutter farming is described, whereby, in the process of growing plants planted in cultivation gutters, said plants are conveyed in cultivation layers present on top of each other in a cultivation space in a longitudinal direction of the cultivation space in one or opposite directions. The cultivation gutters and the plants contained therein, are treated in the cultivation space by means of a processing arrangement in a cultivation layer-specific manner, whereby the cultivation gutters and the plants contained therein are first of all conveyed by motion elements in each cultivation layer of the cultivation space in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation space in opposite directions and are treated by processing elements in each cultivation layer of the cultivation space separately, in a manner substantially independent of the other cultivation layers.