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| Jim Brennan <jbrennan@brennansc.com> |  Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 1:56 PM | | |
| to me |
From: Davis, Marilynn A. [mailto:mdavis@cau.edu]
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2016 11:14 AM
To: carlton brown <carlton@di-development.com>; Jim Brennan <jbrennan@brennansc.com>
Subject: FW: Vertical farming opportunities
Did I send this to you? Stan’s report from his visit to a couple of indoor farms last week.
M.
Marilynn Davis
Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the President
Clark Atlanta University
223 James P Brawley Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30344
mdavis@cau.edu<mailto:mdavis@cau.edu>
o: 404.880.8550
c: 404.938.9334
From: “Vangilder, Stan W.” <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>
Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 1:09 PM
To: Marilynn Davis <mdavis@cau.edu<mailto:mdavis@cau.edu>>, “Berger, Bruce” <bberger@cau.edu<mailto:bberger@cau.edu>>
Subject: RE: Vertical farming opportunities
Marilynn and Bruce,
GREAT trip last week. I look forward to sharing full notes with you, and suggest we set up a web conference with these companies. Also, Freight Farms has 2 farms in Georgia that I’m sure we could visit.
In the meantime, to answer your questions, see below:
Stan
From: Davis, Marilynn A. [mailto:mdavis@cau.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 1:16 PM
To: Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>; Berger, Bruce <bberger@cau.edu<mailto:bberger@cau.edu>>
Subject: Re: Vertical farming opportunities
Hi Stan,
Thanks for your note and for passing along your research report and information about Freight Farms.
We can’t wait to hear about your visit to Freight Farms! There are many things that would be interesting to take note of, for example:
1. What’s their basic technology? Hydroponics? Aeroponics? Do they employ aquaponics in their model?
Both companies use hydroponics exclusively. Aeroponics or aquaponics are possible in the containers, but would require modification.
2. Do they employ any proprietary technologies, such as patented substrates from which plants will grow? (my understanding is that such growing media can have an impact on seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting)
Freight Farms has several proprietary technologies, including lighting and system design. No proprietary technology with CropBox. Freight Farms uses the ZipGrow vertical system, CropBox uses more traditional horizontal shelving.
3. Do they use broken spectrum lighting? What are the energy costs? What is the differential between this and full-spectrum lighting?
Freight Farms uses split spectrum LED lighting – CropBox uses full spectrum fluorescent. There is a continuously shifting trade-off between capital costs and operating costs. LEDs cost more to purchase, less to operate. In terms of energy costs, Georgia’s rates are MUCH lower than those in Boston. We can run a detailed rate analysis based on anticipated load shape.
4. How do they measure the various data points? How many do they record? What are their capabilities re data analytics? How does this help them grow with more predictability?
Both companies measure pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, humidity, nutrient levels, light levels, and many others. These are all available via on-site controls and via iPhone app. Both systems can also be CONTROLLED via iPhone app.
5. What’s their growing cycle? How much does it fluctuate?
Depends on the crop – 6-7 weeks is typical for leafy greens (seed to harvest).
6. What’s their annual output?
Depends on the crop and farm layout. Each 320 foot container will generally produce the same output as 2 acres of farm land.
7. Who do they sell to? Wholesale or Retail?
Either model will work. They have customers who do each and both.
8. Are they profitable? Is their business model scalable?
Don’t think they are publicly traded, so I don’t know the financials of the company itself, but they shared the financials of a typical customer, so you can get an idea of expected income. Absolutely scalable – containers can be added or stacked up to 5 high.
I’m sure that many other questions will arise.
Meanwhile, we are still in the midst of planning a trip to PodPonics here in Atlanta during the first part of September, after the rush of the new semester has settled. I will definitely let you know when we’ve set that up.
Finally, the team meeting for our VF project is still on for the latter half of September. The other members are excited that you want to be involved with us and are very much looking forward to meeting you.
Safe travels,
M.
Marilynn Davis
Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the President
Clark Atlanta University
223 James P Brawley Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30344
mdavis@cau.edu<mailto:mdavis@cau.edu>
o: 404.880.8550
c: 404.938.9334
From: “Vangilder, Stan W.” <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>
Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 9:02 AM
To: “Berger, Bruce” <bberger@cau.edu<mailto:bberger@cau.edu>>
Cc: Marilynn Davis <mdavis@cau.edu<mailto:mdavis@cau.edu>>
Subject: RE: Vertical farming opportunities
Bruce and Marilynn,
Hope you are doing well.
I have attached our research report on indoor agriculture from end of last year. I have also attached some information about one of the leading shipping container farm companies, Freight Farms. We are actually visiting their Boston location tomorrow, and I will be happy to pass along our findings.
In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions you would like for me to ask them – we will have several hours and I want to make full use of the time we have to learn all we can.
Talk to you soon and look forward to catching up with you on your projects.
Stan Vangilder, EDFP
Energy Innovation Center
Cell 404-314-6773
Southern Company Services
75 Fifth St NW
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30308
[southernco_h_tm_rgb]
www.southerncompany.com<http://www.southerncompany.com/>
From: Berger, Bruce [mailto:bberger@cau.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 4:22 PM
To: Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>
Cc: Davis, Marilynn A. <mdavis@cau.edu<mailto:mdavis@cau.edu>>
Subject: RE: Vertical farming opportunities
Hi Stan-great meeting today. Please forward info. Let’s think of ways to collaborate on the beta test and beyond.
Best,
Bruce
From: Vangilder, Stan W. [mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 11:19 AM
To: Berger, Bruce
Subject: RE: Vertical farming opportunities
Great! Looking forward to it.
Stan
404-314-6773
From: Berger, Bruce [mailto:bberger@cau.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 11:17 AM
To: Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>
Subject: Re: Vertical farming opportunities
Your place is cool. See you then.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 12, 2016, at 11:15 AM, Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>> wrote:
That sounds great and I have it on my calendar. Would you like to meet here at the Energy Innovation Center (75 5th St NW)? We would be happy to host or I could come to your location – whichever you prefer.
Stan
From: Berger, Bruce [mailto:bberger@cau.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 11:08 AM
To: Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>
Subject: Re: Vertical farming opportunities
Stan– how about 10:30 on 20th ??
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 8, 2016, at 10:33 AM, Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>> wrote:
Bruce,
Sounds great. The 20th is the only day open that week, but it is wide open. Will the 20th work?
Stan
From: Berger, Bruce [mailto:bberger@cau.edu]
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2016 10:25 AM
To: Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>
Subject: RE: Vertical farming opportunities
Hi Stan,
I’d like to schedule a meeting with you, myself, and Marilyn Davis, who is heading our vertical farming initiative. Do you have any availability during the week of July 18?
Thanks,
Bruce
From: Vangilder, Stan W. [mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com]
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2016 8:47 AM
To: The Office of the President; Berger, Bruce
Subject: Vertical farming opportunities
President Johnson and Mr. Berger,
Julie Pigott mentioned your visit to the Energy Innovation Center and your interest in vertical farming.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to hear more about your interest in this topic. We could also discuss our involvement with all means of “controlled environment agriculture”. As members of the City of Atlanta’s Urban Agriculture team, we are exploring everything from commercial roof-top greenhouses to classroom aquaponics labs to repurposed abandoned industrial buildings.
The concept of a shipping container farm is also very interesting to us – someone sent me this WSJ article yesterday. The small footprint, predictable output, and insulation from weather abnormalities make it an interesting idea in an urban setting.
Are Shipping Containers The Future of Farming?
http://www.wsj.com/articles/are-shipping-containers-the-future-of-farming-1465393797<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.wsj.com_articles_are-2Dshipping-2Dcontainers-2Dthe-2Dfuture-2Dof-2Dfarming-2D1465393797&d=CwMFAg&c=AgWC6Nl7Slwpc9jE7UoQH1_Cvyci3SsTNfdLP4V1RCg&r=oUDcp32c2GfK0vumIFCDFb8keKwCNcx-apVl1Vq2Z7Y&m=8fS3QjuooGUY5m_7J9OTI9MnprdE7MSCoHgFYnaEuiA&s=Pyj1uFpvih6wQhKfyOHF3Xh3MDLOz4mtTV676ha2kSs&e=>
Just let me know some available times and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Stan Vangilder, EDFP
Energy Innovation Center
Cell 404-314-6773
Southern Company Services
75 Fifth St NW
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30308
mailto:swvangil@southernco.com
From: Pigott, Julie T.
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2016 11:48 AM
To: caupresident@cau.edu<mailto:caupresident@cau.edu>; bberger@cau.edu<mailto:bberger@cau.edu>
Cc: tony@tagonline.org<mailto:tony@tagonline.org>; Vangilder, Stan W. <SWVANGIL@southernco.com<mailto:SWVANGIL@southernco.com>>; Trupiano, James A. <JATRUPIA@southernco.com<mailto:JATRUPIA@southernco.com>>
Subject: Southern Company Energy Innovation Center
I enjoyed meeting you today and sharing with you Southern Company’s mission for our Energy Innovation Center. You expressed an interest in talking further about what we are exploring in the area of Indoor Agriculture, and sharing what you are exploring in the area of vertical farming. I’ve copied Stan Vangilder on this email. Stan is our lead on Indoor Agriculture at Southern Company. He can share our vision and explore if there is an opportunity to partner with you in support of your efforts.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can help in any way.