By SUSAN BLOWER

Indiana Correspondent

FISHERS, Ind. — An agri-business startup in Fishers, Ind., wants to raise $500,000 to send 50,000 micro-growth food systems to Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria recently.

Aggressively Organic has several patents pending for its hydroponic food system. Founder and CEO Jonathan Partlow said his design requires no special pumps, filters or expensive equipment to run. Plants in cardboard containers can be grown in a small space inside or even outside depending on the climate. If growing inside, the company recommends a shop light (T-5) to replace sunshine.

“This is sustainable harvesting. You don’t need a refrigerator or microwave. You just need counter space. You only need a fraction of the water it takes to grow in the ground,” he added.

Puerto Rico’s climate will afford local farmers the ability to grow the hydroponic plants outside year round, Partlow said. Officials have projected that Puerto Rico needs short-, mid- and longterm food solutions after its farms and lands were destroyed by the hurricane that hit last September.

“Puerto Rico has no infrastructure and no way to grow food. Traditional hydroponic farm systems require a pump, aerations and a special building. A greenhouse in Wisconsin costs $20 million to build. But we can fly the systems out and show farmers how to use these systems, and some plants will be producing in 21 days,” Partlow said.

All the vegetables will start producing within 30-60 days, he added. Partlow plans to find out what foods the local population eats and put those plants in his systems, along with lettuce and other basic foods he already has.

Partlow estimated that 50 flat systems with 600 refills, which will harvest for 4-6 weeks each, would feed a family of five for an entire year. The company will match donors’ contributions by reducing the price for one food system to $10 (from retail at $20).

For $10, donors can send one system plus 11 refills (new plants). This would provide 12 harvest cycles. For $30, they can send three. For $60, they can send three systems and receive three systems.

To donate, go to www.humanityproject.com and select the preferred level of giving.

How it works

The company developed a proprietary growth medium of coconut coir, which is a byproduct of coconut products. Partlow said the coconut coir is anti-fungal and antibacterial.

The plants used in Partlow’s system require less water and time to grow, he said, because the plant does not need to expend energy to grow hardy roots or to compete with other plants. Any plant can be used in his system, he said. However, he has chosen vegetables that are densely vitamin rich.

Plants for purchase include nutritious butterhead, loose leaf and head lettuce, bok choy, arugula, mint, red bore kale, a leafy greens mix, tomatoes and peppers.

Remembering to water the plant is not necessary. Each plant only needs 16-32 ounces of water. The system is simple enough that children can do it, as it has been tested on kindergarteners.

Rather than killing the plant, growers can pick off vegetables and leaves as they need them, leaving the plant to continue to grow. Some plants can continue to produce for 4-6 weeks, and others can go longer, he said, depending on how the plant is used.

Once the system is purchased, the container can be exchanged for a mature plant every 2-4 weeks, Partlow said.

“Our kale is sweet and delicious. It’s because it is fresh and young. If you pick young leaves, the stems are not thick,” he said. “Most vegetables in the supermarket have been picked two weeks ago. The USDA estimates that the average person eats or purchases 35 lbs of lettuce in a year. That’s $260. You then consider that a third of that probably goes bad in the refrigerator.”

If people are grazing all day on their vegetables, whether the pots are in the house on a windowsill or in a shed, Partlow said most folks will eat healthier, especially if they don’t have to leave the house to get food. The plants can grow in a closet, attic or basement, as well. About nine plants can fit in a square foot of space.

Homegrown food

Partlow’s vision is to see every household growing some of its own vegetables. He said this could address food insecurity, even in America, where about 11 percent are choosing between paying a bill or buying food.

In the future, with projected population growth, food may be harder or more expensive to buy, he added.

Farmers who want to supplement their income or diet could grow food year round in an old barn or shed, he said. Furthermore, farmers’ markets could be placed in old car lots or warehouses, where the food could also be growing. Benefits include keeping Hoosiers’ grocery money in the state and increasing farmers’ bottom line, Partlow said.

“Basically, we have a trade deficit with other states because we’ve outsourced our fruit and vegetables to California, Texas and Arizona,” Partlow said.

Partlow has seven people on his team, including a plant physiologist. He himself has a Master’s degree in informatics, the study of data. He uses data to develop and improve his system.

The only way to order Aggressively Organic micro growth systems is to order through www.humanityproject.com and select a charity to give some of the micro-growth systems.

“Our core mission is how do we do good in the world. Humanity Project is our only way to do business with consumers,” Parlow said. “Puerto Rico is bigger than us. We need others to help us.”

For more information, go to www.aggressivelyorganic.com