A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

Systems and techniques for a sensor carrier, and intelligent track infrastructure for the navigation and operation of the sensor carrier are described. The sensor carrier is an autonomous robot navigating a track. The carrier holds cameras and other sensors to receive horticultural images and telemetry for plants in a grow operation. The carrier reads embedded signals in the track including Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tags, embedded positioning magnets, and drilled hole patterns for a beam breaking system to determine navigation and operation. For tracks placed at sharp angles, a transfer station with wall guards to prevent the carrier from falling enable safe transfers from different track segments. Additional features include an emergency stop (e-stop) switch and power management for autonomous sensor carriers.

The invention relates to a ventilation system and method for promoting growth of a plant. The system comprises an air inlet provided at a first height from a defined floor level, an air outlet, fluidly connected to the inlet, an air moving device for moving air from the inlet to the outlet, and a plant growing surface, provided at a second height, being higher than the first height, for accommodating growing plants, wherein the air outlet is provided at a third height, being higher than the second height. The inventive concept is based on the inventors' realization that improved growing conditions can be provided by transporting CO.sub.2 from the bottom of a lower level in a greenhouse to a higher level.

A display container for displaying an aromatic botanical specimen includes: (a) a container body for enclosing the botanical specimen and scented air having a scent of the botanical specimen; (b) at least one scent discharge port in the container body; and (c) an air pump coupled to the container body and operable to discharge the scented air from within the container body to the environment through the scent discharge port.

A display container for displaying an aromatic botanical specimen includes: (a) a container body for enclosing the botanical specimen and scented air having a scent of the botanical specimen; (b) at least one scent discharge port in the container body; and (c) an air pump coupled to the container body and operable to discharge the scented air from within the container body to the environment through the scent discharge port.

What is disclosed is a modular hydroponic enclosure comprising a hexagonally shaped base; a set of pillars attached to the hexagonally shaped base and to a hexagonally shaped roof, wherein the set of pillars support the roof. A method for a modular hydroponic enclosure comprising providing a hexagonally shaped base; providing a set of pillars attached to the hexagonally shaped base; and providing a hexagonally shaped roof attached to the set of pillars, and wherein the set of pillars support the roof.

Illustrative configurations of greenhouse shading systems are disclosed. One illustrative system includes a plurality of main trusses supporting a translucent material defining an interior space, a plurality of gantries; and a plurality of shades attached to the gantries and the main trusses. The main trusses, gantries, and shades cooperate to move the shades between a closed position and an open position thereby regulating the amount of light the entering interior space of the greenhouse.

The present invention discloses a glazing characterized through a high hemispherical light transmission together with an enhanced tuneable light diffusion, what we hereby call a highly transmitting glazing with optimized Hortiscatter. The glazing of the invention is particularly well suitable for a greenhouse. The invention is a global approach which allows to propose different glazing which can be utilized depending on the type of crop and the geographical zone, providing optimized Hortiscatter on demand

A logistic system for managing and displacing materials comprises a first series of shelves (23) and a second series of shelves (24); the first series of shelves (23) is arranged in front of the second series of shelves (24), and a central aisle (25) is obtained between the shelves; each shelf is made up of a first pair of uprights (21, 22) facing towards the central aisle and a second pair of uprights (26, 27) facing towards the opposite side. The uprights of each shelf are retained by structural cross members. At the lower portion thereof, the uprights have a recess (35) which enables a carriage (20) equipped with toothed wheels (31) to pass the shelves during the sliding on the ground. The carriage is provided with a lifting system (36), activated by motor organs located inside the carriage (20).

The present invention relates to an indoor farming management system comprising at least one sensor; a central processing unit arranged in signal communication with the at least one sensor; a device adapted to operate between an operative state and a non-operative state; the central processing unit is operable to control at least one indoor environmental parameter of a farming system based on data received from the sensor; the central processing unit further operable to send a control signal to the device to operate the device between the operative state and the non-operative state.