Love Data Week: Data on the Farm
How does data keep us fed? Join RIT's hydroponic farmer, Dave Brault, as he talks about how data is one of the various technological tools he uses at the RIT farm and beyond. Data from sensors help him make sure the system is running the way he set it up and data from harvests helps him assess the performance of various crops.
RIT's hydroponic farm is housed inside a 40'x8'x9.5' upcylced shipping container that uses innovative climate control technology and growing equipment to create the perfect growing environment 365 days a year, regardless of geographic location. It uses water infused with nutrients to feed the plants' roots directly, rather than through soil. The farm is currently growing bibb lettuce, salanova lettuce, basil, cilantro, parsley, kale, swiss chard, tatosi, mizuna, and arugula.
Dave Brault is a Rochester, NY, native who joined the RIT Dining team in April of 2019. He studied plant and soil science at the University of Vermont and graduated with a BS in Horticulture in 2009. Dave has experience working on a variety of farms throughout Vermont and New York, including his own hydroponic farm in the Finger Lakes. He grows a variety of vegetables and fresh cut flowers that are distributed through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), to restaurants, and sold at Farmer's Markets throughout the upstate New York region.
Dave brings extensive knowledge on hydroponic farming and is looking forward to contributing a resource that tastes delicious and has a longer shelf-life than traditionally grown lettuce. His passion for hydroponic growing is rooted in it's ability to produce sweeter and higher quality vegetables, the technology that allows growing anywhere and at any time, and the collaborative opportunities the farm will provide to the University.
To request interpreting services, go to: http://myAccess.rit.edu/
This event is part of Love Data programming at RIT Libraries. Other events include:
- Managing Your Data Privacy (Feb. 15 @ 1:00)
Event Snapshot
When and Where
Who
Open to the Public
Interpreter Requested?
No