The Hydrofarm, An Alternative Kind of Farm
Hydroponics, though not really a new concept, is transforming the growing industry. Individuals and hobbyists are keeping hydroponic gardens in their homes; people are setting up hydroponic grow rooms in their houses as an alternative to maintaining outdoor gardens; and today, we are beginning to see the hydrofarm emerging as an alternative to regular farming.
Besides "Hydrofarm" being a common brand name of hydroponic products, a hydrofarm is essentially a farm that grows its produce utilizing the concept of hydroponics. Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil replacing the soil with a different anchor for the roots, and directly supplying nutrients to the roots through a water-based solution. Plants can grow strong and healthy, and yield more fruit in this manner, because the elements required for plant productivity are carefully controlled to maximize the effect on the plants.
Where hydroponics has long been a fringe segment of agriculture (and still fights the stereotype of being utilized mainly to grow illegal plants), in recent years, it has grown in reputation to the point that even countries such as Holland and Canada are beginning to grow food this way on a larger scale. Today, there are many a hydrofarm across the country; some participate in local farmer's markets or sell their produce to stores, and many sell their produce directly to the consumer by a variety of methods.
The hydrofarm has raised in popularity since people often consider the food to be safer, plus with the use of lighting and temperature controls, products can be grown out of season. In spite of the myths that this is an artificial method of growing plants, there is barely anything artificial about it (no genetic or chemical engineering); it's simply an alternative way of providing the natural elements a plant requires in order to grow, and because these elements are controlled, plants can be given the optimal amount of light, water and nutrients to yield good produce time and again. In fact, one of the reasons people purchase hydroponic produce is that they realize that it is a healthier, more natural alternative to the mass-producing agricultural methods commonly used today.
It's believed that the hydrofarm will become a good alternative in producing food for third-world countries and other places where soil is not that fertile. In addition, hydroponics is being explored as a feasible way to grow food in space, which may open up even more alternatives for mankind. The hydrofarm may seem like a new or unconventional concept for some but in reality, it very well may be a critical part of agriculture for the future.
