26 Comments
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K Gall's avatar

This sounds great! I asked Alexa about the cost of such a system. A 6 m system cost $1 million plus a $60,000 annual subscription fee. Hopefully the cost will come down in my lifetime. You stated the growing season can be decreased for some crops, which crops? Growing seasons are dependent on temperature, moisture, and daylight. You also state that machinery cost can be recouped within nine months. Have you looked at the price farm equipment lately?

Sheila Wise's avatar

The average farmers could never afford such equipment. IPM (Integrated Pest Management) has been taught at Michigan State University for decades. Many, many Michigan (and surrounding states) farmers already use it. It only relies on synthetic pesticides/herbicides in severe emergency cases. There's plenty of natural remedies that could be used, but are pushed aside (like synthetic medicines have done to natural remedies) for quick, easy profits.

It all boils down to the big profits, way beyond the average farmer.

TeeJae's avatar

Those were my thoughts exactly. Smaller(ish) farmers have been using various safer natural practices for almost two decades now, but BigAg has been smearing (and its lobbyists pushing the chemical path on Congress) for so long, it's been nearly impossible to get the needed government support to bring these better, safer practices to scale. THAT (in conjunction with this machinery for those who can afford it) is what's needed now.

Sheila Wise's avatar

Yep, but unfortunately President Trump seems more worried about big businesses loosing money instead of the safety of the people. There's no reason for farmers to use Round-Up on wheat crops, except for bigger profits.

The Scam Doctor's avatar

Maybe they could replace the large amount of pesticides in America's "organic" farming.

Glenn Tamir's avatar

Not necessarily "organic farming" but "regenerative agriculture" - Indeed, an entirely new approach to agriculture highlighted by John Fullerton's approach: "Regenerative Economics" - https://www.youtube.com/live/UIOhTdo-zEU?si=3qZbV7FcjcqorI70

Prometheus Sputnik's avatar

Why you write "organic" ?? Do they farm in organic plants?

The Scam Doctor's avatar

Because the term organic is simply a marketing ploy with increased profit margins.

Ike Yeadon's avatar

Organic farming uses plenty of pesticides - just some different ones that are not as well tested (by EPA) and regulated) as the more common ones.

There are no standards for pesticide toxicity, nutritional impact, environmental footprint, or worker safety to get that ORGANIC label. It simply bans “synthetic” farming tools while rubber-stamping “natural” ones, even when those natural options are often more dangerous. In contrast, conventional farming tools adhere to rigorous scientific safety standards and regulatory rules.

Mrs. M.'s avatar

Oh my gosh- a “roomba” for the garden! Sign me up when available for individuals 🤓🍀

Tiffany White Sage Woman's avatar

First, what are called 'weeds' is essential food and herbs for our optimal health and wellness that we have been lied to about.

Second, we don't need AI and equipment like this. Research 'Electroculture'. Copper and zine wire works in Harmony with this planet's sacred soil. I have been using electroculture in our gardens and yard and have great success with growth and zero to very little pests. Pests by the way, is Nature's 'Clean Up' crew. When there is an imbalance within the soil, Nature calls in her clean up crew to bring Balance and Harmony back to the ecosystem.

We need to stop interfering with the productive, Balanced system Nature has by stop using all chemicals in the yard, lawn, and gardens and relearn how to live in Harmony with Nature. It is OUR responsibility to correct these mistakes and live in Balance with this Planet and Nature.

Glenn Tamir's avatar

I posted this in a separate reply but I think this is worthy of your excellent thoughts: RFKjr w-John Kemph - https://youtu.be/baHNzzLJYXs?si=yjCzRwYT9NNkoG72

Tiffany White Sage Woman's avatar

Thank you Glenn for sharing this video with me. I enjoyed it greatly. 'Regenerative technologies' seems to be the hot topic lately. not only in nature but in our own holistic health and wellness too.

Glenn Tamir's avatar

Indeed! I am working with some incredible technologies for Agriculture and Manufacturing. Some AMAZING stuff that will have a huge impact on removing pesticides and chemicals from American agriculture. Also, converting biomass waste into materials from fabric to bioplastic. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/glenntamir_serat-from-biological-waste-to-programmable-activity-7449877667690188800-Qm6N?

Kathy Boston's avatar

How come organic farmers can use less toxic pesticides yet industrial farmers must resort to glyphosate?

Valmcin's avatar

No, no it cannot, on its own. We need to go back to smaller family farms that tend the soil for future generations or there will not be future generations.

Koko's avatar

LOVE THIS!!!

Prometheus Sputnik's avatar

Sounds expensive - and i would imagine mechanical weeding systems would be better as it takes the weed at soil and not the leaves which with crap grass would Just regrow

Dixie Belle's avatar

Yes, which would require frequent passes with the machinery, increasing fuel costs. No labor saved because someone has to drive that machine and more often. So where is the savings?

Abigail Joy Starke's avatar

Hope that the ceo can help make it less expensive, more accessible. 🙂🙏💪

Danyèle's avatar

Fuel Crisis? What Fuel Crisis? Part 1 - by 369 Lumineerhttps://substack.com/home/post/p-193981017

DJ King's avatar

How can we get Mr. Kennedy to address the dangerous standard of care with big dental and big ortho?

Glenn Tamir's avatar

Some may recall this podcast that then - presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did with farmer John Kempf. I would argue that transitioning to a more sustainable agricultural model, where pesticides and herbicides are no longer necessary, is a more optimal outcome than creating technology that creates a "bandaid" approach to regenerative farming. RFKjr w-John Kemph - https://youtu.be/baHNzzLJYXs?si=yjCzRwYT9NNkoG72

John Day MD's avatar

Interesting proposition, this limited-time-offer...

The traditional way is much more human labor intensive, but does not require high tech industrialmanufacturing and batteries.

How long will those persist?

John Prinz's avatar

CA CUA patients have been growing medical marijuana since 1996. Patients that care about their medicine know our foods are important to us. Clean cannabis medicine can only be known if the patient grows your own marijuana. Know what is on your medicine is very important to patients like me. Patient Zero