The powerpoint had all the usual compelling data justifying the benefits of urban horticulture, very nicely done, but there again… no images of a working system. Can you imagine how you would even deal with a powdery mildew problem? Or an insect infestation? Spores, molds, bugs are predominant life forms… they will enter the system when you’re dealing with that volume of produce and consistent environments. I have seen it over and over again.

The design, in my opinion has too many variables, to many moving parts, too difficult to isolate problems when they arise… and they will… guaranteed… life will find a way.

Phytofarms in DeKalb IL was an attempt at industrial horticulture in closed environments. They were bold, made a lot of mistakes and failed. I see many of them being reproduced in this design. I just don’t see how no sun and the practicality of sustainability can co exist. The waste of one system must be nourishment for the next. I don’t see any of that in the OGS.

Still, these systems are but one of a number of possible approaches that may be employed in vertical farming. They may be found to be very good applications for growing certain kinds of crops, but not good for others. Perhaps, these or other systems may be superior for managing pests or for optimizing the use of natural sunlight. There is much that needs to be learned as these and other technological approaches are tried in the broader context of vertical farming, where urban planning on using city spaces, recycling city water, and providing appropriate nutrients have to be worked out and tweaked for purposes of efficiency. But, we won’t learn these things until someone tries to make a commercial success of vertical farming, so the OGS-D and OGS-E systems may be a good start.

Much of your description and material seems aligned with OGNG’s presentation. Do you think their vertical garden wheels are feasible?