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Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

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Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#181

Post by tiglionabbit »

Animats wrote: post #133

It comes with WiFi, but not a tractor. Or even some small powered push-type tiller. Do they assume the farmer has an ox or a pair of mules? For $50K, they should at least throw in a decent garden tractor with a 3-point hitch and some basic attachments. Priorities. For comparison, see this article in Modern Farmer.[1] This guy has revenue of about $100K per acre and has books and tools on how to replicate his farming…

You don't need a tractor. Tilling the land will kill off beneficial organisms like earthworms. A better strategy would be to cover the land in tarps until the existing plant life dies, then add 6 inches of compost to areas you're going to sow plants.

This takes a lot of waiting for the plants to die and a lot of money for the compost, but it should produce better results in the long run.

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#182

Post by wott »

sweettea wrote: post #155
atourgates wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was trying to do the math here too. Here's what I came up with. 1) Shipping Container - ~$2,000 2) Tin Shed - Maybe another ~$1,000 3) Hoop Greenhouse - ~$400 [1] 4) 3Kwh Solar Plant with Batteries - ~$8,500 [2] 5) 2 Acre Drip Irrigation System - ~$3,000 [3] 6) WiFi Access - $1,000 (I have no idea what hardware/capabilities they're delivering here, but it seems like that's a safe number) 7) A Bunch of Hand Farming…

3) is underestimated. A typical shipping container is 40 feet long, so I think they ship a 32' not a 24' one. Also, 4' centers are necessary in most parts of the world: 6' will collapse under snow load in half the US. That's $600, not $400. The benches shown are at least another $400. Finally, the most expensive part of a greenhouse is the endwall and the plastic; probably +$500, making it $1500. (I am a small farmer…

> A typical shipping container is 40 feet long, so I think they ship a 32' not a 24' one.

"we’re starting with the 20-foot model that serves two acres"

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#183

Post by tiglionabbit »

CodeSheikh wrote: post #92

$60,000 seems like a lot of amount for starving and underdeveloped areas. I went to their funding page and read more about what's inside the "box" https://republic.co/farm-from-a-box 1: micro-drip irrigation system 2: 3kW solar power 3: Pumping System 4: IOT setup 5: Energy management 6: Basic farm tools As of 2016, average cost of solar power is approximately $3.00 per watt so ~ $9K. I have installed a decent sized…

What, no dirt? It's pretty much just the irrigation system? And lights for you I hope.

It should come with some tarps and compost at least. It appears to have a nursery, so potting soil and nursery containers hopefully come with it too. I mean all this stuff is cheap, but if they're going to deploy a shipping container, might as well put some of the obvious stuff in it.

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#184

Post by ucaetano »

Why would you put it in a container? Containers are very hard to transport, you can't just throw it on the back of an ox cart, or pack mules. You need specialized - and expensive - transportation, as well as a special crane to unload it.

Not to mention that you kill the local suppliers of agricultural equipment.

And the price tag? Agricultural land is VERY cheap. You can buy an acre of the most expensive prime Corn Belt land for under $6000 [Edit: in some states this number is actually around $10k], while in emerging markets good land can go for as low as as few hundred dollars per acre.

So a single container that can be used to farm two acres of land, could be used to buy 10 acres of the best land in the US, or 200 acres of land (or more) in emerging markets. Or you could hire 20 farm workers for 4 years in India.

It is clear that the target is well-intended governments, who will write big checks, and leave the units rotting in some depot somewhere as they figure out what to do with it, draining resources which could be used in actual development (roads, infrastructure, rural insurance & credit).

San Francisco & Silicon Valley, please go back to solving First World problems.

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#185

Post by maxerickson »

VLM wrote: post #166
maxerickson wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So the trucks will reliably deliver the $50,000 of valuable agricultural equipment but not $5000 of pasta? I understand the idea of becoming self sufficient. It's the idea of spending $50,000 to make it happen because it suddenly became urgent that I think is not very realistic. (of course 10 man-years of pasta is not an exciting nutritional adventure. I'd argue it's far more pragmatic than hoping you figure out how…

If you're more than self sufficient you're of inherent value to your self sufficient rural neighbors and can expect a long happy life. If you have $5K of easily movable commodity dollars, gold, pasta, in your basement, you're of value in another way, and you're probably not going to like that outcome.

So hard. If we end up in a world where neighbors are shooting neighbors for pasta I hope someone gets me quick. I guess I'll make at least 1 tasty meal, even for a big band of brigands.

The post I initially responded to wasn't about self sufficiency, it was about buying it in a box and making it work in 1 season. I replied about the making it work in 1 season not being a particularly likely thing. Hence buying an easily movable commodity probably being a better use of the money, even if you aren't a cold blooded crack shot.

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#186

Post by CodeSheikh »

lukewrites wrote: post #117
CodeSheikh wrote: post #92

$60,000 seems like a lot of amount for starving and underdeveloped areas. I went to their funding page and read more about what's inside the "box" https://republic.co/farm-from-a-box 1: micro-drip irrigation system 2: 3kW solar power 3: Pumping System 4: IOT setup 5: Energy management 6: Basic farm tools As of 2016, average cost of solar power is approximately $3.00 per watt so ~ $9K. I have installed a decent sized…

A little OT, but I'm wanting to put together a drip system in our yard. Any resources you'd recommend/found very helpful? I live in the Pacific Northwest, so am thinking about installing a cistern/rain water collection center, then putting together a drip system for planter beds that we'll be installing. Thank you!

The thing is I am not a professional farmer or have had worked in farms in any capacity. I have a technical background so doing things on my own in DIY way out of sheer curiosity drives me. Plus, I wanted to introduce myself to organic farming in my backyard. I can share with you things I bought and how I have used them, pretty straightforward stuff. I thought about putting an irrigation system where water would be driven with gravity and into drip system. But unlike you I don’t have an advantage of rainwater. So I still kept water reservoir (instead of a continuous tap/faucet as a source) and instead used an electronic water pump and a Wi-Fi outlet that I can schedule as I please or even remote control it if I am traveling abroad (I learned hard way that which certain plants required less or more water and in this way I was able to adjust water flow/resistance in my drip system)

Here’s a pseudo-schematic that I just chalked down:

http://imgur.com/a/0exTv

These are the parts I have bought off of Amazon. If you can buy these parts from a single seller than I am sure you can save even more.

Listed prices are the prices I have paid. Currently, they could be more or less on Amazon. Some parts were bought at a Lowe's local store.

Koram Drip Irrigation 1/4" Blank Distribution Tubing Drip Watering Hose 50' Roll $8.99 1 $8.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013WJYKZQ/ref=oh_aui_deta...

Raindrip 381025B Heavy Duty Support Stakes, 6-Inch, 25 Per Bag $7.51 2 $15.02 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BOAKKK/ref=oh_aui_deta...

Rain Bird T22-50 Drip Irrigation 1/4" Blank Distribution Tubing, 50' Roll $6.69 1 $6.69 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FJX5DU/ref=oh_aui_deta...

Fastening Tape 0.75-inch Hook & Loop Fastening Tape 5 yard/roll - Black $5.31 1 $5.31 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AF9II6/ref=oh_aui_deta...

Koram 1/4" Blank Distribution Tubing Irrigation Gardener's Greenhouse Plant Watering Drip Kit Accessories IR-D $25.99 2 $51.98 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013JPIJG4/ref=oh_aui_deta...

Prime Wire & Cable EC502608 8-Foot 16/3 SJTW Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cord, Black $6.58 1 $6.58 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006G6A2KA/ref=oh_aui_deta...

EcoPlus 728492 Eco 100 Submersible Pump, 100GPH $11.95 1 $11.95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007KIIQF6/ref=oh_aui_deta...

Samar 5/16-in x 20-ft PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing 1ft $2 1 $2.00 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Samar-5-16-in-x-20-ft-PVC-Clear-Vin...

Murray 2-Pack 1/4-in to 5/8-in dia Stainless Steel Full Clamps $0.71 1 $0.71 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Murray-2-Pack-1-4-in-to-5-8-in-dia-...

BrassCraft 1/2-in x 3/8-in Threaded Adapter Bushing Fitting $3.98 1 $3.98 https://www.lowes.com/pd/BrassCraft-1-2-in-x-3-8-in-Threaded...

BrassCraft 3/8-in x 3/8-in Barbed Barb x MIP Adapter Fitting $3.78 1 $3.78 https://www.lowes.com/pd/BrassCraft-3-8-in-x-3-8-in-Barbed-B...

TP-LINK Wi-Fi Smart Plug, Works with Amazon Echo, Turn On/Off Your Electronics From Anywhere (HS100) $29.99 1 $29.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0178IC734/ref=oh_aui_deta...

Aquarium 8Way Air Flow Splitter Lever Control Valve 3/8 Inch Tube Dia $11.76 1 $11.76 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W136G8E/ref=oh_aui_deta...

MoonCity 3-in-1 Soil Moisture, Light and pH / acidity Meter Plant Tester,Good for Gardener or planter both indoor and outdoors (No Battery needed) $12.99 1 $12.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017GQ9VVY/ref=od_aui_deta...

30 gallons plastic container from home depot $20 1 $20.00

Total $191.73

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#187

Post by wott »

chrissnell wrote: post #50
ComputerGuru wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would say corn, then potato. But you're right, the startup isn't being all that forthcoming with details and it's likely their claims are (greatly) exaggerated, or perhaps, from a purely "well, technically..." point-of-view. There's an excellent article that champions the calories-per-acre metric by WP: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/in-defense-of-... In the calorie department, corn is king [..] corn…

If I was designing a two-acre farm to feed my family, I wouldn't devote much space to corn. Corn is a very useful crop but mostly once it's processed and you need a lot of it. Here's what I think I'd grow: Potatoes - Incredibly easy to grow. Produces a ton of food. Can be grown in trash cans on otherwise unusable land. Very versatile and useful in so many cuisines. If I had to place my bets on one staple crop, it's p…

Agreed with you list. Corn can be interesting to feed chickens, though. (I mean maize when I say corn, do you guys mean maize or wheat?) BTW, you can grow beans in the corn, it grows over it.

I would add a bit of barley/oat but that's more work than the rest.

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#188

Post by _wlf0 »

amorphid wrote: post #98
CodeSheikh wrote: post #92

$60,000 seems like a lot of amount for starving and underdeveloped areas. I went to their funding page and read more about what's inside the "box" https://republic.co/farm-from-a-box 1: micro-drip irrigation system 2: 3kW solar power 3: Pumping System 4: IOT setup 5: Energy management 6: Basic farm tools As of 2016, average cost of solar power is approximately $3.00 per watt so ~ $9K. I have installed a decent sized…

For fun, I was looking at cheap (compared to San Francisco) land with no infrastructure in Wyoming. 1 acre of land, $10K USD. Drilling a water well that might work, $5K to $30K.

For me doing that is somewhere between an escapist fantasy and a backup retirement plan. I've been looking at Idaho properties for some time now because it seemed to have favorable acreage vs price ratios.

Last year a random 40-acre hilltop plot at Indian Creek was listed for 30k and finally sold for 15k, which is amazing. Its neighboring 40-acre lot with a view of Bear Lake is currently being sold for 30k. Lots of variances in prices and terrain, including mountain tops. Or at least tall hills, whatever they officially are.

One of the weirdest incentives for me to keep looking is that certain counties in ID don't have building codes: you're on your own. That flexibility cuts both ways, but it means you could make a mud and straw house if you felt like it, without interference. Of course, cabin kits are probably safer and more practical.

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#189

Post by synicalx »

CodeSheikh wrote: post #92

$60,000 seems like a lot of amount for starving and underdeveloped areas. I went to their funding page and read more about what's inside the "box" https://republic.co/farm-from-a-box 1: micro-drip irrigation system 2: 3kW solar power 3: Pumping System 4: IOT setup 5: Energy management 6: Basic farm tools As of 2016, average cost of solar power is approximately $3.00 per watt so ~ $9K. I have installed a decent sized…

They need that meat in their profit margin to accelerate the Sell Out and Bro Down steps of their business plan.

Re: Startup Puts Everything You Need for a Two-Acre Farm in a Shipping Container

#190

Post by rokhayakebe »

roymurdock wrote: post #164
CodeSheikh wrote: post #92

$60,000 seems like a lot of amount for starving and underdeveloped areas. I went to their funding page and read more about what's inside the "box" https://republic.co/farm-from-a-box 1: micro-drip irrigation system 2: 3kW solar power 3: Pumping System 4: IOT setup 5: Energy management 6: Basic farm tools As of 2016, average cost of solar power is approximately $3.00 per watt so ~ $9K. I have installed a decent sized…

I worked on a project to create affordable, electric vegetable graters for rural farmers in Ghana [1]. For comparison, the price point of our grater was $150USD and was still seen as too expensive by a substantial portion of our customers, some of whom opted to purchase the graters on an installment basis (3 x $50 every 6 months as our group traveled to Ghana bi-annually). The main problems our rural customers faced…

Have you guys tried indoor farming?
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