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.
Transplanting within a Growcer farm which uses deep water culture hydroponics.
Upstart University Intro to Hydroponics
Dive into the world of hydroponics with Upstart University’s Intro to Hydroponics, a course that equips aspiring farmers with the knowledge to establish and manage successful hydroponic farms. The course lasts about six and a half hours, combining text and video to cover the origins of hydroponics, types of hydroponic systems, nutrient management, system layouts, plumbing, and recommended crops.
Course Highlights
In-depth learning: Understand the fundamentals of hydroponics, exploring system types, nutrient management, layouts, plumbing, and more.
Expert Instruction: Dr. Nate Storey, an authority in hydroponics, guides you through the intricacies of monitoring and controlling essential factors for successful hydroponic growth.
Comprehensive curriculum: From the origins of hydroponics to identifying the best crops, this course covers every aspect you need to start and maintain your hydroponic gardening venture.
Flexible learning: For $6.99, access the 50-page PDF version of the course, allowing you to learn at your own pace and convenience.
To get started, enroll in Upstart University to access unlimited courses, including Intro to Hydroponics and the complete Hydroponic Farming Pathway, starting at $9.99 monthly. Learn more about membership tiers at https://university.upstartfarmers.com/membership-account-levels.
Yellowhead Tribal College Vertical Farming Operators Certificate Program
If you’re in the Edmonton region, Yellowhead Tribal College’s 10-month certificate is a crash course in vertical farming. This program provides opportunities for First Nation communities, organizations and individuals to exercise sovereignty in the production of their food, as well as pursue long-term food security and sustainability.
Over the 10-months, students take the following key courses:
Plant Identification
Plant Growth in Different Media
Integrated Pest Management
Greenhouse Crop Production
Greenhouse Management
Traditional Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyles of Cree/Anishnaabe/Nakota-Sioux
Indigenous Plant Knowledge from the Lands
Displacement, Disruption, Domination of the Cree/Anishnaabe, Nakota-Sioux
Nutrition and Diet for Balancing the Spiritual, Emotional, and Mental Aspects
Plus, the program includes a practicum so you can apply what you are learning in the classroom in a technical application in an agricultural or retail setting. Read the admission requirements and apply at https://ytced.ab.ca/programs-courses/programs/vertical-farming-operators-certificate-program/.
Hort Americas Short Course: Vertical Farming Systems
Unlock the secrets of vertical farming systems at your own pace with Hort Americas Short Course: Vertical Farming Systems. Led by Karla Garcia, who holds a master’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Arizona, the course is a digital download with comprehensive insights into the art of vertical farming. One student calls it "the best vertical farming course," providing the confidence to launch indoor farms with hydroponic grow systems.
Whether you are looking for online or in-person opportunities, there are many different ways to learn about hydroponics.
Course Highlights
Plant factory advantages in yield and production: Gain insights into maximizing yield and overall production efficiency.
Hydroponics in vertical farming systems: Delve into the world of hydroponics tailored for vertical farming, navigating popular techniques and their applications and advantages.
Leafy greens production: Learn the art and science of cultivating various leafy greens in vertical farming systems, from the staple lettuce to aromatic herbs and nutrient-packed microgreens.
Understanding artificial lighting: Explore light quality and quantity, learning the calculations essential for creating an optimal lighting environment for plant growth.
Environmental control: Master the environmental factors critical for successful cultivars, from proper airflow and gas exchange to temperature regulation and humidity control.
Sales and product selection advice: From sales strategies to product recommendations, receive valuable guidance on navigating the market and selecting the right products for your vertical farming venture.
Learn more about the course or purchase your digital download for $50 at https://hortamericas.com/catalog/educational-resources/courses/short-course-vertical-farming-systems-files/.
Growcer’s Blog
Growcer’s blog offers a wealth of information to help you more about vertical farming using hydroponics, including:
Hydroponics 101: Your introduction to how hydroponics works, with a breakdown of the essential factors for growing plants without soil.
The Ultimate Guide to Hydroponic Farming: Explores the pros and cons of vertical farming, common misconceptions, ways to use hydroponics, and examples of hydroponic farms.
10 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make When Buying a Vertical Farm: A breakdown of the pitfalls to avoid if you’re looking into purchasing a vertical farm.
What’s the ROI on Vertical Farming?: How to ensure quantity and quality for commercial production and achieve a healthy return on investment.
Explore more articles at www.thegrowcer.ca/blog/, with diverse topics related to container farming in Canada — from hydroponics to the utilization of vertical farming technology in advancing food sovereignty.
Training Hydroponics: Start Your Education Today
Learning about hydroponic farming is an investment in sustainable agriculture and personal growth. From self-directed courses to in-person experiences, there’s an educational pathway for everyone at any stage of hydroponic learning.
For those seeking a comprehensive and hands-on educational program, Growcer’s Rootcamp is an excellent starting point for your hydroponic journey. As you delve into learning about hydroponics, remember that each seed of knowledge you plant contributes to the future of sustainable, self-reliant farming practices. Here at Growcer, we’re here to provide resources, knowledge, and support on your path to becoming a proficient hydroponic farmer.
