Take this recent event into consideration: Sections of China’s coastline are currently being plagued with intense algae blooms. This has been an ongoing problem since 2007, even so far as to interrupt the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. However, the blooms are currently worse than ever, taking up entire coastlines, affecting tourism and the health of the wildlife there. China Daily says “the algae, though not toxic nor detrimental to water quality, ravages the ecosystem because it consumes large quantities of oxygen, thus suffocating other marine life.”* One theory as to the cause of this enormous bloom is that the growing population in the area has increased the demand for agriculture. The nitrite-rich wastewater from the fertilizers used to grow the extra food could be making their way into the ocean, causing the speedy growth. **

Check out all the photos of this massive algae bloom! ***

This is not only happening in China but also in the United States, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, where the Mississippi Delta comes into the Gulf. The Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites dozens of examples of so-called “red tides” or “dead zones” caused by algae blooms in U.S. waters, most likely as a result of fertilizer run-off.****
China’s algae problem is just one example of the recurrent problems of modern agriculture and the world-wide conundrum of feeding our growing population. We feel that this is where hydroponics can really save the day! As these problems become more evident, we can turn to hydroponic farming as a more viable means of crop production, especially as fresh water resources become scarcer. Unlike the open circuit methods of traditional farming that are essentially drain-to-waste, commercial hydro operations are closed circuit and don’t have the same potential to pollute the water downstream. 

General Hydroponics continues to stay at the forefront of hydroponic technology and education, to help prepare for the future and usher in a new era in agriculture! While China scrambles to remove the algae and clean up their coastline, we hope they will also give consideration to alternative farming methods (like hydroponics), to prevent this reoccurring problem. We all must invest in the future of food to keep our local and world-wide communities healthy and fed, while protecting our precious environmental resources.

Sources:

* Zhillin, Chen. China Daily. Green Algae invading China’s tourist destination Qingdao. 7-11-2011. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/shandong/e/2011-07/11/content_12873047.htm

** Frantz, Vickie. Accuweather.com. Algae Invades China’s Eastern Coastal Beaches. 7-30-2011. http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/53084/algae-invades-chinas-eastern-c.asp?partner=accuweather

*** Algae invades a popular beach in China. 7-19-2011. http://news.yahoo.com/photos/algae-bloom-1311121572-slideshow/view-algae-filled-coastline-qingdao-photo-102645670.html

**** Harmful Algae Blooms. EPA.gov. 5-7-2010. http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/habpage.html

The project began as a response to the idea of vertical urban farming. Instead of waiting for the agricultural model to change it’s infrastructure, Windowfarms encourages individuals grow cheap food in their owns homes now. But beyond hydroponics, Windowfarms is a great example of a web 2.0 online community. According to the short video I watched on their site, the founders, Britta Riley and Rebecca Ray are determined to build a crowdsourced platform that creates widespread social change. Users are encouraged to sign up, download instructions and build their Windowfarm. Growers then troubleshoot their gardens online with feedback and guidance from other members. With support from a network of users, it becomes natural for participants to innovate and evolve the Windowfarm project.

To learn more, or get involved, visit the Windowfarm website. The project takes full advantage of social networking as well, with a Flickr page, a kickstarter page for funding, and twitter.

Photos by Nicholas R. Clark

The irrigation is neatly laid to provide fertlizer. For now, the rain brings water.

The specific variety of crops are well marked.

This artichoke has grown since last year. Did you know the leaves are edible too?

The broccoli plants that were harvested last year have re-grown and are going to seed.

P.S.1 is a really cool modern art museum in New York City. Named after the original purpose of its building Public School No. One, the museum is an extention of the MoMa. Their exhibits are edgy and very unique. And their current show Public Farm One is no exception. The exhibit is based on an annual challenge held for emerging young architectural designers. This year the designs focused on the $70,000 landscape installation to be built at the museum. This isn’t your ordinary landscape though, it requires special attention to the needs of the P.S.1 including shade and water and even bar areas. The final design is very very innovative with the plants grown in cardboard tubes. The entire farm is socially interactive as well, with chairs formed from the same tubes that grow the plants, and parts of the farm acting as the roof of the shelter. It sounds soooo cool!

The exhibition is open until October 19th. Plenty of time to check it out in person.