4 ms·

AutoMicroFarm's vision is to enable people with back yards to 1) grow the majority of their food in their back yard (asymptotically converging to 100%), and 2

AutoMicroFarm's vision is to enable people with back yards to 1) grow the majority of their food in their back yard (asymptotically converging to 100%), and 2) spend a minimum of time and effort in order to do so (asymptotically converging to zero time and effort). AutoMicroFarm will provide products and services to that effect. I started out with aquaponics, thinking the end product would need to be high-tech. But it turns out that good design (which the aquaponics industry has not completely agreed upon yet) can obviate the need for high tech. Aside from aquaponics, permaculture goes a long way towards maximizing yield while minimizing time and effort needed on an ongoing basis. However, the time and effort is often front-loaded when the design is installed. Robotics, when ubiquitous and affordable, will transform agriculture, whether on a commercial or a residential level. In the meantime, there are lots of opportunities that I hope to capitalize on.

deialtrous 8y ago
But the setup described on your website is more work than just an ordinary garden. Maybe it is a regional thing, I don't know where your main market is, but here in Canada even in low income rural areas the vast majority of people absolutely refuse to grow a garden. They will spend $2000 on a plastic and chinesium riding mower and then $30 of gas and 6 hours of time every week mowing an acre or more of grass, but they won't spend 5 minutes and $2 planting a couple of tomato plants. Doesn't anyone who is willing to garden already do it, and so not need to pay you for a way to do it that involves more work? Are you moving more towards being a permaculture design consultant?
- ph0rque 8y ago
  The setup on my website (which is a bit out of date, compared to what I currently have) is not more work than an ordinary garden and an ordinary pond put together, which would be a proper comparison. Not everyone who is willing to garden, does so. I've worked with a couple local clients who love the idea of gardening, but weren't sure how to start. Permaculture design (on a back-yard level) is one of the services I offer, although I don't call it that. In the meantime, I am in the process of updating my website. It's taking longer than I would like (day jobs: can't live with them, can't live without them yet...). You can read more on the current state of my own yard, and the types of services and products I am offering, here: https://blog.automicrofarm.com/state-of-my-suburban-homestead-fall-2018-edition-f6b68fdb17ce https://blog.automicrofarm.com/state-of-my-suburban-homestea...

deialtrous 8y ago

But the setup described on your website is more work than just an ordinary garden. Maybe it is a regional thing, I don't know where your main market is, but here in Canada even in low income rural areas the vast majority of people absolutely refuse to grow a garden. They will spend $2000 on a plastic and chinesium riding mower and then $30 of gas and 6 hours of time every week mowing an acre or more of grass, but they won't spend 5 minutes and $2 planting a couple of tomato plants. Doesn't anyone who is willing to garden already do it, and so not need to pay you for a way to do it that involves more work? Are you moving more towards being a permaculture design consultant?

ph0rque 8y ago
The setup on my website (which is a bit out of date, compared to what I currently have) is not more work than an ordinary garden and an ordinary pond put together, which would be a proper comparison. Not everyone who is willing to garden, does so. I've worked with a couple local clients who love the idea of gardening, but weren't sure how to start. Permaculture design (on a back-yard level) is one of the services I offer, although I don't call it that. In the meantime, I am in the process of updating my website. It's taking longer than I would like (day jobs: can't live with them, can't live without them yet...). You can read more on the current state of my own yard, and the types of services and products I am offering, here: https://blog.automicrofarm.com/state-of-my-suburban-homestead-fall-2018-edition-f6b68fdb17ce https://blog.automicrofarm.com/state-of-my-suburban-homestea...