Vertical Farming Introduced in Detroit
Detroit’s urban farmers have proven to be some of the most innovative people in the city. They’ve reclaimed vacant lots and learned
how to bring fresh, nutritious food to neighborhoods in need. Now two new ventures continue that innovation by introducing vertical
farming systems into the mix. One, known as Artesian Farms of Detroit, is on the city’s far west side and has begun to grow vegetables
in a hydroponic system—trays filled with water and nutrients—stacked up to 14-ft. tall. The other, known as Green Collar Foods, recently
set up its vertical racks in a corner of the city’s historic Eastern Market. Green Collar uses an aeroponic system to mist a thin, watery
film on the roots of plants suspended in air inside trays.
(Source: southbendtribune.com)
MAXFACTS
GROWING TIPS, NEWS AND TRIVIA
Promoting Pollinator Health
Can Eating
Hot Peppers Kill You?
Just what would happen if you were to eat the world’s hottest
pepper? The strong and sometimes overwhelming effects that
come with eating spicy foods are caused by one small chemical
found in chili peppers: capsaicin. The discomfort of eating
high amounts of capsaicin is meant to deter overconsumption,
but for those able to overcome both the physical and mental
pain, consequences can range from unpleasant to just plain
deadly. Although chilies are found in many dishes throughout
the world, capsaicin is actually a neurotoxin and in large enough
concentrations can cause seizures, heart attacks and even
death. The hottest pepper in the world is the bhut jolokia chili
pepper, also known as the ghost pepper, and according to Dr. Paul
Bosland, the man who discovered it, enough of this pepper in a
short period of time can kill you.
(Source: medicaldaily.com)
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Maximum Yield USA | July 2015
Pollinators are critical to the nation’s economy, food security
and environmental health. Honeybee pollination alone adds
more than $15 billion in value to agricultural crops each year.
This tremendously valuable service is provided to society not
only by honeybees, but also by native
bees, other insect pollinators,
birds and bats. But pollinators are
struggling. Last year, beekeepers
reported losing about 40% of their
honeybee colonies, threatening
the viability of their livelihoods
and the essential pollination
services their bees
provide to agriculture. In
response to this threat,
President Obama asked
that an interagency task
force create a strategy
to promote the health of
honeybees and other pollinators.
Now the task force is releasing
its strategy, with three overarching
goals: reduce honeybee colony losses;
increase monarch butterfly numbers to protect
the annual migration; and restore or enhance
millions of acres of land for pollinators through
combined public and private actions.
(Source: usda.gov)