from the editor | toby gorman
T
We are taking a new
perspective on the world
of modern growing,
and we look forward to
bringing these stories to
you next year.
16
he world of indoor growing is expanding at an incredible rate. No longer
the alternative to traditional agriculture, hydroponics is being recognized
as beneficial for many important reasons. Hydroponics yields require up to
50 per cent less land to grow the same amount of produce, and as the world’s
arable lands are diminished from overfarming and climate change, hydroponics takes the pressure off the environment by leaving more land available
for wildlife reserves, biospheres, and other protected areas. Drought-ridden
areas like California will appreciate the fact hydroponics uses only 10 per cent
of the water needed for growing in soil, and far less chemicals and fertilizers—as much as 60 per cent less—are required. By most reports, growing and
transporting food around the globe accounts for as much as 30 per cent of all
greenhouse gas emissions. With hydroponics, we can grow almost anything
right where we live, reducing the need for carbon emissions. This is especially
important for people who live in the Far North. More and more, programs are
being created to provide fresh produce for those who live in northern communities, reducing the need to ship relatively small amounts of food while providing food security with fresh, inexpensive fruits and vegetables. It is with these
shifts in mind that we’ve made some editorial changes in Maximum Yield.
As you may have noticed, on our cover we’ve changed ‘indoor gardening’ to
‘modern grower’. As the industry evolves, so are we. Our content will include
a wider look at the advancements in the growing world, both indoors and
out. In this issue, that comes in the form of our Farm to Table segment. Writer
Jeff Walters provides us with insight on Whisknladle, a successful restaurant
business that sources its fresh produce from its own nearby farm. It’s a model
that is being repeated throughout the restaurant business and one that diners
are beginning to look for. In our Developments & Dialogue segment, many of
the issues mentioned above are being addressed by Phytoponics, an innovative start-up. As we get set to flip the calendar from 2016 to 2017, we are taking
a new perspective on the world of modern growing, and we look forward to
bringing these stories to you next year. With the holidays almost here, the
team here at Maximum Yield wishes everybody a very Merry Christmas and
all the best in the new year. In the meantime, we hope you have as much fun reading
this issue as we did putting it together. As
always, thanks for reading Maximum Yield
and if you have any questions feel free to
contact us at [email protected].
Maximum Yield USA | December 2016