Video of the Week: Mechanical Trimming, and Other Tips on Automation

Posted by Brian Sparks|August 4, 2023

Each week, Greenhouse Grower highlights a video that shines a spotlight on the controlled-environment industry, from crop protection advice to insider views on plant production at greenhouse operations across the country. Have you recently produced a video you want us to highlight? If so, please send a link to Greenhouse Grower Senior Editor Brian Sparks at [email protected].

Our team at Greenhouse Grower recently posted a story recapping a panel discussion from Cultivate’23 on how and why to invest in greenhouse automation (you can find that story here). During the discussion, each grower on the panel made reference to the LEAP (Labor, Efficiency, Automation, Production) project, which works with producers to better understand how automation can help address labor issues and contribute to their production capacity and bottom line. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, in partnership with the University of Florida, North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, Texas A&M University, and USDA, and with guidance from an Advisory Board of industry professionals, is conducting research about labor challenges and consideration of, and transition to, automation.

With support from USDA and the partnership of Decker’s Nursery and Panoramic Farm (two of the growers on the panel), LEAP created a suite of videos showcasing automation and efficient use of labor. In the video below, Brian Decker of Decker’s Nursery shows how the company implemented and adapted a mechanical trimming system. Click here for even more videos that demonstrate the potential for automation and related technologies.