Live webinar: introduction to the course and history of hydroponics

Host:
Igor Intriligator, city farming expert, course curator.

During this live webinar, we will:
– Get to know the experts and the course team;
– Define the concept of hydroponics and explore its historical origins, including the development of city farming around the world;
– Analyze the types of city farming and key areas for development in the UAE;
– Discuss a portrait of a city farmer, the competency model, and key skills needed for development;
– Discuss the course structure, the main modules and key points in the program, and the formats of work on the platform and throughout the course;
– Answer all your questions

Module 1: Overview of soilless growing systems

Host:
Mikhail Kiselev, chief engineer

In this lesson, we will:
– Review plants suitable for hydroponic cultivation
– Discuss the sustainability of the hydroponic growing method
– Explore the types of hydroponic systems, their advantages and disadvantages
• Wick system
• Deep water culture system or DWC
• Intermittent flooding system
• Drip irrigation system
• Nutrient film technique or NFT
• Aeroponics
– Learn how to choose the right and most efficient system

Module 2: Selecting crops for growing

Host:
Andrey Galgashov, city farming expert

In this lesson, we will:
– Conduct a complete overview of crops suitable for hydroponic cultivation
– Discuss the most promising plants to grow at the moment
– Get to know the characteristics of crops that affect cultivation methods
– Learn all about the plant growth cycle
– Learn how to organize production, taking into account the cycle and phases of plant growth

Module 3: Growing microgreens

Host:
Kristina Kuklina, agronomist

In this lesson, you will:
– Understand what microgreens are
– Familiarize yourself with its varieties and types
– Discuss the benefits of growing this type of plant
– Get to know the problems and "diseases" of microgreens
– Learn about the costs associated with producing microgreens
– Discuss pricing and calculate the cost price
– Make a selection and purchase of planting material

Module 4: Basic parameters of growing systems

LESSON 1

Host:
Mikhail Kiselev, chief engineer

In this lesson, you will:
– Review the factors influencing the plant environment:
• EC
• pH
• temperature
• filtering
• sanitation
– Understand the underlying physicochemical principles of each factor
– Familiarize yourself with the relationships between factors and their degree of influence on each other
– Learn how to control systemic factors
– Learn how to choose the right equipment to control systemic factors
– Learn what TDS and pH meters are
– Understand and learn how to choose devices

LESSON 2

Host:
Kristina Kuklina, agronomist

In the lesson we:
– Get to know the mechanism of action of TDS and pH meters
– Understand how to organize the storage of device data

Module 5: Plant nutrition

LESSON 1

Host:
Mikhail Kiselev, chief engineer

In this lesson, you will:
– Understand the features of mineral nutrition in hydroponic growing plants
– Discuss questions about water hardness
– Learn the elemental and salt composition of the nutrient solution
– Get to know the main types of nutrients
– Get to know the formulas of nutrient solutions
– Discover how to formulate and prepare a nutrient solution
– Familiarize yourself with the types of professional nutrient solution control equipment

LESSON 2

Host:
Alexey Raev, agrochemist

In this lesson, we will:
– Learn how to prepare the nutrient solution
– Learn to keep an agro journal
– Discuss how to analyze what happens to the solution at different stages of preparation
– Learn the solution algorithm

Module 6: Fundamentals of lighting engineering and photosynthesis

LESSON 1. Basic concepts of hydroponic light

Hosts:
• Vladislav Terekhov, Senior Research Fellow, VNISI. S.I. Vavilov
• Alexander Khoniy, an expert in lighting technology

In this lesson, you will:
– Get to know the concept of hydroponic light
– Learn about key systems of quantities and how they are measured
– Understand basic photo pigments
– Discuss the specific reactions of photopigments to lighting
– Solve the issue of spectral preferences of different cultures
– Familiarize yourself with optimal lighting levels for major crops
– Understand how the spectrum affects the development of plants
– Discuss what kind of lighting is suitable for plants in the vegetative and reproductive stages of development
– Talk about using light to control plant growth and taste

LESSON 2. Selection of lighting

Host:
Alexander Khoniy, lighting expert

In this lesson, we will:
– Explore what the lamp consists of and what to look for when choosing it
– Learn about the degree of influence of lighting on heating and cooling
– Calculate electricity requirements
– Choose a timer or smart socket to automate lighting

Module 7: Microclimate

Host:
Mikhail Kiselev, chief engineer

In this lesson, you will:
– Get to know the concept of microclimate and its main components
– Understand the features of the microclimate in sheltered structures
– Discuss how to control plant climate parameters
– Understand how to create a favorable microclimate in your room
– Learn about the types of climate control equipment and the selection algorithm

Module 8: Build a DIY home mini farm (NFT)

Host:
Kuklin Alexander, Leading Design Engineer of City Farms and Mobile Growing Systems

In this lesson, we will:
– Understand what consumables you need to purchase to assemble the NFT system
– Discuss the necessary list of assembly tools
– Learn how to assemble the installation, go through the key assembly steps
– Conduct a test run of the installation and its demonstration

Module 9: Premises selection and equipment installation

Host:
Andrey Galgashov, city farming expert

In this lesson, we will:
– Learn about the ideal location of the farm in the city, its distance from consumers, and its transport accessibility
– Discuss the room's configuration, including columns, rooms, ancillary areas, and doors
– Understand the structural features of the walls: wall material, moisture resistance, thermal insulation
– Discuss the structure of the ceiling, the optimal height, and the presence of beams
– Pay attention to the floors, including the material and their condition
– Address the need for ventilation or exhaust and windows in the room
– Learn how to design a drainage system and use an already-designed sewerage system
– Learn the necessary minimum about organizing electricity in the production room
– Discuss the importance of neighbors, hazardous industries, and their impact on the production facility

Module 10: Economics and finance

Host:
Andrey Galgashov, city farming expert

In this lesson, we will:
– Answer the question "Why keep records?"
– Understand the differences between management accounting and accounting
– Define the concepts: profit, revenue, cost, expenses
– Calculate the break-even point
– Understand key management reports
– Understand how to set salaries for employees
– Discuss how to build the financial model of the business

Module 11: Establishing sales

Host:
Andrey Galgashov, city farming expert

In this lesson, we will:
– Get to know the sales markets and methods of their evaluation and analysis
– Deal with product pricing
– Learn what a sales system is and how to build it
– Understand marketing tools and market promotion
– Master the key principles of working with restaurants and shops
– Talk about packaging and presentation
– Discuss the issue of product certification and its necessity for sales

Module 12: Edible flowers and Ingredients

Host:
Elvira Murzina, agronomist

In this lesson, we will learn:
– What are specialty greens and what are the benefits of growing them
– Where and what are edible flowers used for?
– Classification of edible flowers by type of use and origin
– How to distinguish between edible flowers and some types of their poisonous “twins”
– Use of edible flowers in cooking
– How to combine the cultivation of greenery and edible flowers
– Features of systems for growing flowers

Module 13: Diseases and pests

Host:
Elvira Murzina, agronomist

In this lesson, we will learn:
– What phytopathology is and the subject of its study
– What diseases do plants have and what pests threaten them
– What quarantine objects are and why they are so dangerous
– How pathogens and pests can enter the farm
– Symptoms of major diseases and pests
– Control and prevention measures
– Biological methods of control and their advantages
– Preventive measures
– Beneficial insects
– What can stand on a par with us on the guard of city farms

Live webinar. Summing up and answering questions

Host:
Igor Intriligator, city farming expert, course curator

During this live webinar, we will:
– Sum up everything we've learned
– Define the next steps
– Answer your questions