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Water is necessary to grow plants that provide food, fiber and shelter for the world. Consumptive water use” is the term that describes water used and not returned to the original source. However, when we use water in our home, or when an industry like agriculture uses water, about 90 percent of the water used is eventually returned to the environment where it replenishes water sources and can be used for other purposes. But of the water used for irrigation, only about one-half is reusable. The rest is lost by evaporation into the air, evapotranspiration from plants, or is lost in transit. While agriculture requires significant water to grow crops and raise animals, unused water returns to the ecosystem.

Eating GMO products does not impact our genes. Our bodies digest the proteins and absorb the amino acids in food. The body cannot tell where a protein comes from and treats all proteins alike. This misconception may stem from the issue of allergic reactions. When a gene from one organism is transferred to another, there is a chance that a person could have an allergic reaction to the gene that was placed in the new organism. The World Health Organization explains that the “transfer of genes from commonly allergenic foods is discouraged.” They clarify that there have been no allergic effects found related to GM foods in general.

Not necessarily. Research shows that frozen vegetables can even be more nutritious than fresh vegetables! There are two reasons why. First, frozen vegetables are often left to ripen longer than fresh vegetables. As they ripen and mature, they become full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Second, vegetables begin to lose their nutritional value as soon as they are harvested. Freezing slows this process. Scientists conducted a test on frozen and fresh vegetables. They found that vitamin C in fresh broccoli dropped by more than 50% within one week, but in frozen broccoli it dropped by only 10%. Those only eating fresh, raw vegetables may be missing out on the full nutritional benefit of eating vegetables from a variety of sources.

Another frequently asked farming question we receive is in regard to ideal locations for container farms. While there are a variety of locations that you can use for container farming, the best places have the following three attributes:

Access to Cheap Utilities
Availability of essential utilities such as electricity, water supply, and waste disposal are crucial for running a hydroponic shipping container farm. Hydroponic systems require electricity for pumps, lights and environmental controls. Because of this, stable access to electricity is imperative.

A consistent and reliable water source is also essential for the hydroponic nutrient solution. Therefore, a suitable location should have easy access to these utilities.

Cost-Effectiveness
Evaluate the overall cost of operating a hydroponic shipping container farm at the chosen location. This includes considerations such as land or rental costs, labor costs, utility expenses, transportation costs and additional expenses related to local regulation compliance.

Balancing these costs with the potential revenue from crop sales is crucial for the economic viability of your hydroponic farm.

Accessibility/Ease to Market
The location should be easily accessible for transportation and delivery of produce and supplies. Adequate space for maneuvering and unloading containers is essential. Additionally, consider proximity to urban markets or distribution hubs to reduce transportation costs and enhance market access.

Consider not only the farm’s proximity to local markets, but also evaluate the quality of the market’s demand for your intended crop. You can be right next door to the grocery store, but that doesn’t matter if demand for your produce is low.

Hydroponics is a relatively new arrival on the farming scene. Because of this, not many people know the intricacies of this impressive technology. A benefit of container farming is that it has less of an impact on the environment than large commercial farms.

One of the key benefits of container farming is water efficiency. In hydroponics, plants are grown in a soilless medium and receive their nutrients through a carefully controlled water supply. This means that water usage is significantly reduced compared to conventional farming, where a substantial amount of water is often wasted due to runoff and evaporation.

Additionally, hydroponic systems can recycle and reuse water efficiently, minimizing overall consumption.

In contrast, traditional agriculture can strain local water resources, leading to issues such as aquifer depletion and water pollution from agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers.

The first frequently asked farming question we get is about the problems of our food system. Our modern agriculture system has evolved into a system where fewer farmers are growing than ever before. Additionally, the rise of commercial farming has pushed small farmers off their land, meaning that our food supply relies on an ever-shrinking group of multinational corporations.