How to learn about hydroponic farming

Hydroponic farmers know something the rest of the world is starting to catch on to: Growing locally sourced, sustainable produce year-round is one of the most rewarding endeavors you can undertake. With consumers increasingly prioritizing the environmental impact of food production, interest in locally sourced, sustainable produce is on the rise. Hydroponics addresses these concerns by facilitating year-round cultivation in a controlled indoor setting, supporting local production.

With that said, there’s never been a better time to learn to farm — even if you’ve never picked up a pair of gardening gloves. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned green thumb, this blog is your go-to resource for kickstarting your hydroponics education. We’ve rounded up all the resources you need to get started, from self-paced online courses to hands-on bootcamps designed for training hydroponics in a real-world setting.

Why Hydroponics?

Hydroponics involves cultivating plants in a soil-less nutrient solution. With this innovative approach, you can have precise control over essential factors like nutrients, pH levels, and water usage. This potential for control makes it an attractive choice for resource-conscious indoor farmers across Canada.

While hydroponic cultivation is feasible outdoors, most hydroponic grow systems find their niche in greenhouses and indoor spaces. From commercially available small-scale systems to DIY setups, hydroponics is making waves as an accessible and sustainable method for growing plants, even at home.

Learn to Farm Online or Offline

If you’re looking for a learn-to-farm program to get started in hydroponics, explore the various educational options below. With knowledge under your belt about the ins, outs, and benefits of growing leafy greens, you can become part of the solution by growing fresh, local, and environmentally conscious produce.

Growcer’s Rootcamp

Rootcamp is an in-person experience held at Growcer HQ in Ottawa and designed for individuals who want to feel confident about hydroponic gardening, with a focus on practical, real-world experience.

At the top of our list is Growcer’s Rootcamp, an immersive program that empowers individuals passionate about growing hydroponically. This hands-on experience demystifies life in a Growcer farm and provides a solid foundation for success in hydroponic farming.

Who Can Benefit

Whether you are an aspiring vertical farm operator, or someone intrigued by the world of modular farming, Rootcamp is for you. It's designed for individuals who want to feel confident about hydroponic gardening, with a focus on practical, real-world experience.

What Rootcamp Offers

Rootcamp participants can expect hands-on training within a real Growcer farm environment. Immerse yourself in the nuances of hydroponic cultivation through a blend of in-class instruction and practical sessions, with access to knowledgeable instructors who share insights, answer questions, and provide personalized guidance.

What's Included

• Hands-on training: Engage in practical sessions within a Growcer farm environment.

• Foundational knowledge: Gain insights through in-class instruction and hands-on experience.

• Instructor guidance: Access knowledgeable instructors for personalized mentorship. Leave the program with theoretical knowledge and practical skills applicable to the real challenges of hydroponic farming.

• Comprehensive preparation: Rootcamp goes beyond plant health, offering insights into critical aspects of running a modular farm project. From site preparation to financial considerations and product marketing, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to make a hydroponic venture successful.

• Resource kit: Receive take-home resources and worksheets for ongoing reference.

• Networking opportunities: Connect with a community of like-minded individuals who have launched Growcer projects from coast to coast.

You can apply Rootcamp tuition ($1,450) toward the full cost of a Growcer farm purchased in the same calendar year. Additionally, attendees of Rootcamp qualify for a discount on their first Growcer farm. Learn more about Rootcamp and get answers to FAQ at www.thegrowcer.ca/rootcamp.

Freedom Farmers Online Courses

With a Freedom Farmers subscription, you gain access to 20 different courses across various farming disciplines.

If you’re yearning for self-sufficiency in farming, gardening, or entrepreneurship, Freedom Farmers online courses are worth exploring. From off-grid homesteaders to hobbyists, the Freedom Farmers community is diverse, bringing together individuals from all walks of life with a shared goal of gaining self-reliance through farming.

The best way to achieve that goal, according to Freedom Farmers, is by surrounding yourself with like-minded peers. With a community of like-minded individuals spanning 12 countries, over 11,800 members, and 6,476 farms launched, Freedom Farmers offers immediate access to a group of like-minded individuals, providing tools and experiences members describe as "life-changing."

Membership Benefits

• Online courses: Access over 20 different courses across various farming disciplines.

• Private social network: Join a self-governed network for meetups, hiring, and connections.

• Live events: Engage in coaching calls, workshops, and Q&As with industry experts.

• Homestead property directory: Explore pre-evaluated properties for homesteading.

• Seeds and supplies shop: Find recommended materials, seeds, and supplies.

Membership plans include Freedom Farmers+ at $9.99 monthly, with access to the private social network, live events, and discounts. Freedom Farmers Pro is $49.99 monthly and includes 20+ courses, a video vault, a homestead directory, and more. Learn more at https://freedomfarmers.com/.

CEA Centre at the University of Arizona

The University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (UA-CEAC) is a research, teaching, and outreach program in controlled environment agriculture. With a focus on fostering technology innovations for food, bioenergy, and bioproduct generation, UA-CEAC aims to advance scientific, engineering, and practical applications.

Located at the Campus Agricultural Center in Tucson, Arizona, UA-CEAC boasts advanced technology greenhouses, growth chambers, and state-of-the-art teaching spaces. CEA, defined as an integrated science and engineering approach to plant productivity, forms the core of UA-CEAC's mission, maximizing biosystems productivity and resource efficiency.

Hydroponics & CEA Short Course

UA-CEAC offers a comprehensive Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Short Course, delving into the fundamentals of hydroponics and CEA. Participants engage in sessions led by industry experts, covering topics such as plant nutrition management, integrated pest management, greenhouse design, environmental controls, automation, and alternative crop cultivation methods.

The course packs a wealth of information about hydroponic gardening and systems into one weekend (March 13 to 15, 2024). Here's what awaits you:

• Advanced lectures: Delve into undercover cultivation, whether under the sun or in an illuminated growth chamber. Learn from CEA experts to enhance your growing techniques.

• Networking opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, growers, sponsors, exhibitors, and CEAC students.

• Q&A sessions: Get in-depth answers from various perspectives — engineering, biology, science, and economics — with dedicated time for questions and discussions.

• Recorded sessions: Absorb technical content at your own pace with access to post-event recorded lectures, included with general admission.

• Hands-on workshops: Apply your knowledge in practical training workshops.

The program starts at $650 for general admission tickets, with discounts available for university students, Arizona residents, University of Arizona affiliates, and members of federally recognized Native American tribes. Email be-ceac@arizona.edu with proof to receive a discount code before registering.

Learn more about the CEAC Short Course and access the current syllabus at https://ceac.arizona.edu/events/cea-short-course.