Industry Outreach

Merchant’s Garden spoke at a panel at Forbes Magazine’s AgTech Summit in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The panel, “How Vertical Farming and Aquaponics are Changing the Definition of Grown Locally.”  The company was asked to speak again at the 2019 Summit.  There Merchant’s Garden will share the efforts of this project.  Forbes shared this discussion on its digital platforms like Facebook, Youtube, and its website.  Over 100 million individuals view content on one of Forbes platforms.  Additionally, Merchant’s Garden was highlighted in American Farm Bureau’s web and print newsletter with updates on their farm research and business progress.  Farm Bureau has over 8 million members of which 2 million are farmers.  If funded by SARE, Merchant’s Garden will provide project updates through both Forbes Magazine and American Farm Bureau about the research efforts which will collectively reach over a 100 million people in the agriculture industry.

Hands-on Outreach

MG with extension agent Parker Filer plans to share its finding with local farmers in the Southern Arizona Farm Network.  Southern Arizona Farm Network is comprised of 8-12 farms in the Tucson greater region who are committed to providing local products to their community.  This non-profit is organized and facilitated by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.  Quarterly the farmers in this organization meet in-person at the Food Bank.  Merchant’s Garden will provide handouts at a field-day to these farmers on the progress and findings of their study.  Additionally, MG will provide demonstration videos online through their social media for these farmers.  These videos will break down step-by-step how to implement the proposed practices on their farm. 

MG also plans to work with Dr. Murat Kacira to provide a presentation at the short-courses offered at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environmental Agriculture Center (CEAC). “The CEAC Extension and Outreach Programs include: the Annual Arizona Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course; the Lunar Greenhouse – Outreach and Teaching Module (LGH-OTM); Social Media postings to Facebook, twitter, Instagram and You-Tube; On-site Tours, Meetings, Demonstrations and Conferences at the UA-CEAC; Newsletter and News Splash e-publications; and, Design and Analysis Services to homeowners, business developers, and entrepreneurs; Development of the Production & Education Greenhouse as an income generating, self-supporting entity.”  MG will partner with the CEAC Extension Office and provide social media content, handouts, and PowerPoint Presentations presented at the University quarterly.  The formal results of the proposal will be disseminated through the Cooperative Extension to regional offices across the state.

Farm Tours
- January 27, 2021: University of Arizona Student Group - Assistant
Professor Dr. Matthew Recsetar and his controlled-environment growing class, focusing on aquaponics, visited and toured the nursery. 15 people attended.
- May 15, 2021: Southwest Indian Agricultural Association (SWIAA) - MG
partnered with SWIAA to offer a farm tour of their urban hydroponic and aquaponic growing facilities to SDA Native American farmers and ranchers. 10

Activities developed are related to Objective 1, Activity 1.1: Outreach and Education; & Objective 5, Activity 5.1: Creating New

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people were in attendance for the tour.
- July 17, 2021: Veterans Agricultural Education and Apprenticeship Program in the Southwest (VAEAP) - MG provided a farm tour and work
experience to 10 SDA Veteran beginning farmers/ranchers. Participants in this program are all military veterans pursuing agricultural careers.

and Sustainable Jobs

Attendance at Community Meetings
- April 13, 2021: TUSD Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program - Chaz Shelton from MG made a presentation to schools across AZ interested in farm
sourcing. Hosted by the Arizona Department of Education’s Farm to School program.
- June 4, 2021: High School Career Connect – MG staff member Danielle Fowler conducted a job shadow/virtual tour of the day-to-day life of a farmer
for 30 9 th grade students for the ElevateEdAZ program.
- October 11, 2021: Bill Shriver from MG visited the Tucson Assisted Living Center, taught residents about hydroponic and aquaponic production, and
assisted in the set-up of a hydroponic greens garden on the campus.

Activities developed are related to Objective 1, Activity 1.1: Outreach and Education & Objective 5, Activity 5.3: Information Sharing

University of Arizona Technical Assistance Collaboration - MG is working with Dr. Matthew Recsetar, Assistant Professor with the University of Arizona Controlled Environment and Agriculture Center. Dr. Recsetar is also the CEO of a small business, Patio Ponics LLC, that specializes in aquaponic and hydroponic production systems. He has been working with MG to identify how to create ideal conditions for organic herb production in their greenhouses, which will allow MG to extend their growing season substantially and offer more products at market year-round. The experimental results were documented in a White Paper delivered with this report.

Activities developed are related to Objective 1, Activity 1.2: Working with Researchers at the U of A Controlled Environment Agriculture Center

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2022/5/prweb18692906.htm