Traditional Ag uses 70% or more of this fresh water for farming and animals. Traditional Ag contaminates and pollutes water sources and makes it unsafe for fish wildlife and our drinking water. Over Farming and extensive land use desecrate the soil making it unable to absorb the rain and irrigation waters. Half of the topsoil on the planet has been lost in the last 150 years. The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land and have led to pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging waterways and causing harm to fish and other species.

The need to increase production had big Ag engineer genetically modified grains and seeds. To combat pests and growing conditions they started using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their targeted species. Heavy wind or rain falls on the Land spreading the pesticides and toxic chemicals into unintended areas, coming in contact with natural resources such as clean air, water, land, plants, and animals.

Water Usage

By 2050 Earth will be home to 9 billion people who will require a 50% increase in agriculture and a 15% increase in fresh water use. Freshwater accounts for only 3% of all the water on the planet. Before we even get to 2025 (a very short time away!) 2/3 of the global population will face water shortages. We already see these droughts and water shortages in the western part of the USA in the daily news.

Climate

Traditional Agriculture is Seasonal. Even greenhouses are unable to provide crops in the coldest part of winter due to the enormous amount of heat they require, and those that do operate at a loss. Storms and Natural Disasters can drastically affect outdoor crops and frail greenhouses. Global warming/Climate change is accelerating at a more rapid rate than predicted and will only make growing outside even more difficult. Longer and longer drought seasons are currently wreaking havoc on the west coast.

Location

if you read the Regional Agriculture Map of  Ocean County written by the Agricultural Development Board you will notice there are very few farms in ocean county. Almost all of our crops and produce come from somewhere else. Even many of our farmers at the local farmers’ market travel a fair distance to deliver those crops.

One Solution

We researched traditional Ag and Greenhouse growing and found a better way. Farmoponics believes firmly that we have found the most competitive, efficient, and cost-effective solution to the current Ag issues through the use of precision hydroponic growing technologies and the support of a network of like small business hydroponic farmers. 

We use hydroponics technologies in a sterile, climate-controlled indoor environment to grow our crops. More specifically, a series of small-scale hydroponics systems designed to maximize growth potential in the shortest amount of time, with the most flavor, densely packed nutrients, and in the shortest amount of grow time. 

We grow in smaller indoor environments that allow us to be freer to experiment with new crops. Crop diversity is key to a healthier more nutritious diet. We can grow what most other large-scale big Ag indoor hydroponic growers won’t. Why? It’s easier and more profitable to manage. They cater to the majority of what’s popular. We know there’s more variety and specialty crops out there that are worth trying and we are betting that after you try it you will agree it was worth it!

• We don’t use soil, which extremely limits any chance of E-coli and salmonella contamination
• We never use pesticides, herbicides, or GMO seeds
• We use 95% less water than traditional Ag
• We are unaffected by climate and grow 24/7 all year round
• We grow all our fresh crops less than 15 mins from your home
• We use the highest efficient LED lights, pumps, and, climate controls available
• We supplement all our electricity usage with solar and other alternative energy
• We grow in a sterile environment wearing hair nets, masks, gloves, booties, and lab coats. Yours are the first human hands to ever touch your freshly delivered crops!

All these technologies help us run lean and save money. We bypass wholesaler middlemen and sell directly to our customers. These cost savings allow us to deliver top-quality crops that Chefs from high-end restaurants would use directly to you at regular supermarket prices.

So why our hydroponic farm isn’t as big as the picture above is a good thing, and for one main reason. That farm in the picture requires more land than is available in Toms River and most Jersey shore towns. Their crops are grown somewhere far or even further away and then trucked here. Ours are grown right here in Toms River picked fresh and delivered to your home within hours. Eat Hyper Local!