Future Farm Precision Farming
Oct 2015 - Jan 2016 University of Liverpool RIBA Part II - MArch
Design Project Future Farm: Farmbot Garston, Merseyside
Project Introduction Located next to community run allotments, existing local knowledge, shared information and open source learning are combined to create an efficient future farm. Recent advances in technology have revolutionised the food industry to create sustainable and efficient methods of farming. Precision farming is very likely to be the future of agriculture; currently an expensive and wasteful industry. Dividing the land up systematically in a 12.5m grid layout optimises land space for specific crop yields, also allowing for efficient water circulation and providing transition spaces for visitors. The crops being grown are divided into permanent year round crops and temporary crops. Four year rotation cycle plans promote diversity and reduce the amount of pesticide required. The farm utilises ‘FarmBot’ technology; 3D printing and management of crops through all stages using computer programs and universal tool mounts to reduce costs and waste, and increase yield.
Site Location
Farmstead Development
1) Fields prepared for crops
Farmsteads Network
2) Crops planted, maintained and collected over year
4) Second farm developed based on concept and ideas from first farm. Farms are able to assist in development of each other
Site layout strategy
Precision crop fields
3) Crops rotated between plots on a four year cycle
5) Farm produce shared with the local community
Transition routes
Hubs and Nodes
Crop optimisation
Water strategy
100sqm = 1Ha 12.5m 12.5m
12.5m
8m
Displaced soil
100m
1.27% increased surface area
50m
Farming crops and yields marked out - Precise field sizes and crop planting - Amount of produce able to be calculated
Grid layout - Orientated to wind and sun - Different grid sizes considered - 12.5 x 12.5m efficient land use grid
Distance between crop fields Includes: - Road / path - Greenery: hedges and trees - Grass verge
Biodiversity: - Less pesticides and vermin Permanent Crops: - Visitor fruit picking routes - Herb gardens and planters Rotational Crops: - Set in crop strips - Serviced by Farmbot machine
Crop fields sunk into ground
Drainage channel for surface runoff
- Soil displaced to form angles
- Slope of site and fields allows for natural water collection
- Surface area increased over site - Views retained, with ‘moments’ created - Ground heat source harnessed
- Water which has passed through the soil is collected in a separate channel below - This nutrient-rich water is collected and recycled to water the crops
Rotational Crops Legume:
Broad Bean French Bean Runner Bean Pea
Fruit:
Cucumber Pepper Squash Tomato
uses slight nitrogen uses potassium
fixes nitrogen
Legume
Root
Leaf
Fruit
Leaf:
Brussels Sprout Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Celery Lettuce Spinach
Root Crop:
Legume
Broad bean
Leaf
Cabbage
Fruit
Squash
Root
Sugar Beet
use less nitrogen use phosphorous
use lots of nitrogen
Beetroot Carrot Oilseed Rape Onion Potato Radish Sugar Beet Turnip
Four Year Crop Rotation
Permanent Crops Fruits:
Berry Shrubs:
Marsh Crops:
All Year Herbs:
Bienniel Herbs:
Perenniel Herbs:
Apples Cherries Pears Plums
Blueberries Blackberries Raspberries Strawberries
Marsh Samphire Scurvy Grass Sea Aster
Basil Coriander Dill
Caraway Chevril Parsley
Barage Chives Fennel Marjoram Mint Sage Tarragon Thyme
Seasonal Crop Strategy ROOT
LEGUME
LEAF
FRUIT
CEREAL
SOW
GROW
HARVEST
Farmbot Integration
Site Overview
Daniel Press Part II Portfolio