An apparatus is provided. There is a substantially rectangular frame having a plurality of corners with a light panel that is secured to the frame. Brackets a first opening are secured to each corner. Mounting members are secured to the brackets. The mounting members have: a first body; a second and third aligned openings formed in the first body; a fourth opening formed in the first body; and a plurality of second bodies, where each second body extends from the bottom face of the first body. Also, each second body includes a front and a rear, wherein the front of each second body is at least partially set back from the front face of the first body, and wherein the rear of each second body is substantially aligned with the rear face of the first body.

A plant hanger assembly having multiple level plant trays, useful for growing plants in an upright configuration is provided for use with a trolley conveyor. A plurality of plant trays of selected size and shape are provided spaced apart along a vertical axis. A vertical support shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The plant trays may be circular in shape, with sloping sidewalls. The sloping sidewalls may be angled out sufficiently that the plant trays can be stacked in a nested configuration for storage. The plant trays include a base having grooved channels for transfer of water on the obverse side, and reinforcing ribs for strength, on the reverse side. Apertures between the obverse side and the reverse side allow excess water in an upper plant tray to drain downward into a plant tray therebelow. Shaft couplers are provided, with attachment rings or pins, to securely join the plant trays to the vertical support shaft. The plant hangers are adapted for attachment to and use with a trolley conveyor in a plant factory.

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.

Disclosed are high-density soil-less hydroponic cultivation systems, apparatus used therein, and methods of operation thereof. A high-density soil-less cultivation system can comprise one or more grow columns, each comprising a column lumen, and one or more angled housings coupled to the grow columns. The system can further comprise a nutrient reservoir configured to contain a nutrient solution to be delivered to the grow columns, a capture conduit coupled to the grow columns configured to capture or recapture nutrient solution flowing through the grow columns, and a capture reservoir configured to collect the captured or recaptured nutrient solution from the capture conduit for delivery to the nutrient reservoir to be reused. The system can also comprise an omnidirectional light tower configured to shine light on the one or more angled housings to induce growth of any plant matter within the angled housings.

The present invention provides various modular hydroponic growing apparatuses, each having oppositely positioned slats or other compatible surfaces between which is defined an expandable growth channel, wherein at least one of the slats or other compatible surfaces are biased inwardly towards the opposing slat or other compatible surface via a biasing element.

An arrangement and method are provided for weighing plant support structures that are travel along a conveyance line. A load bar includes connections to couple the load bar to a carrier, which is moveable along the conveyance line. The load bar receives ends of plant support structure hooks, and exerts a lateral force on the hooks as the load bar travels. A load cell includes a leading portion that is lower in height than a weighing portion of the load cell. Each hook raises as it travels onto the load cell. The relationship of the height of the weighing portion and the length of the hook end are arranged such that, as the hook end is raised, it remains engaged with the load bar so that the load bar continues to exert a lateral force on the hook as the load bar moves in the direction of travel.

A plant support cage assembly useful for growing plants in an upright configuration is provided for use with a trolley conveyor. A plurality of vertical support elements of selected length are provided spaced apart circumferentially about a vertical axis. Vertical support elements have an upper end and a lower end. At least some vertical support elements include an inwardly sloping lower portion. A plant container receiving portion is formed in part by the inwardly sloping lower portions vertical support elements, and by one or more plant container retaining hoops which are sized and shaped for receiving and containing therein a plant container of complementary size and shape. Coupling bars are provided affixed to and crossing under the plant container receiving portion, and extending outward therefrom for use in containment of plant stems. A plurality of hoop elements are provided, horizontally oriented and spaced apart vertically, and each affixed to at least some of the vertical support elements. One or more connector portions are provided above and affixed to the upper end of the vertical support elements. The connector portions are adapted for attachment of the plant support cage assembly to a trolley conveyor in a plant factory.

The present invention provides various modular hydroponic growing apparatuses, each having oppositely positioned slats or other compatible surfaces between which is defined an expandable growth channel, wherein at least one of the slats or other compatible surfaces are biased inwardly towards the opposing slat or other compatible surface via a biasing element.

An aeroponic growing system includes a plurality of parallel vertical aeroponic growing apparatuses each having a closable loop articulated wall made up of vertical strips or panels that are pivotally attached side-by-side together with flexible joints. The motor-driven articulated wall moves on rails as an oblong-shaped carousel. The panels are provided with numerous plant-growing cups such that the growing plant extends outwardly out of the cup while the roots thereof are located inwardly of the wall. A spraying system delivers nutrients to the roots in darkness. On the external side, plants are exposed to controlled lighting provided by a programmable vertical LED system. Every growing step of the plants is optimized and supported by sensors and interactive software. The articulated wall is disengageable from its aeroponic growing apparatus to be displaced along a railing system between a grow room and other areas, and/or inverted for the roots to face outward.

Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to Controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-hearing modules for re-use. The remaining aspects of the crop production facility—such as seeding stations, propagation facilities, packaging stations and storage facilities—are arranged to achieve one or more desired efficiencies relating to capital expenditures or operating costs associated with an automated crop production facility.