Microfarm Projects

Smart Microfarm Expansion 2017
Smart Microfarms continues to expand its spirulina microfarm south of San Francisco. Pond area, growing systems, harvesting and processing equipment and facilities and infrastructure are added in scalable modules, to respond to growing demand, distribution and markets for fresh frozen and low temperature dehydrated spirulina products. Designed for year-round production with insulation, heaters and second covers for colder season operation.

SpiruSource Products
Smart Microfarms is building a nutraceutical and natural food product line for locally grown spirulina. This product line of branded and packaged nutraceutical supplements and food products is designed for sales direct to consumer, farmers markets, online, direct to natural food retail outlets, juice bars and restaurants. Beginning with fresh frozen and low-temperature dried spirulina, delicious and potent food and snack products are coming.

New California Microfarm
Another spirulina microfarm is underway in commercial greenhouses south of the San Francisco Bay Area. Plenty of room for scaling up new growing ponds over time. This farm produces fresh spirulina products for the regional California market, including fresh frozen spirulina in individual serving portions and low-temperature dried (“raw”) spirulina in noodle, granule and powder food forms. Also specialty food items including snack bars, chips, pasta, and popsicles.

Olympia Washington Microfarm Expansion
Our microfarm continues to explore and test different pond configurations, materials, nutrient protocols, and circulation and harvesting equipment and technologies. Producing fresh frozen spirulina in individual serving portions and low-temperature dried (“raw”) spirulina in noodle, granule and powder food forms. Experimenting with other food combinations ranging from spirulina-lemonade popsicles to fresh spirulina dips and spreads and other snack items.

Olympia Washington Microfarm Testbed
As one of the northern most spirulina farms in operation today, this facility will demonstrate productivity in cooler climates and test practical microfarms and photobioreactors for growing algae for local food and high value products in urban, community, rooftop, mobile and vertical gardens. Ponds have insulating foam panels below and retractable cover above, all within a larger vegetable greenhouse. This greenhouse pond design will raise productivity and extend the growing season beyond the summer months.

Bellingham Washington Microfarm
The first of two spirulina greenhouses is operational at a rural location in Bellingham Washington. A second larger greenhouse will be installed for a total pond area of about 100m2.

Algae Micropond Exhibits
A mobile model spirulina growing pond was developed for demonstrations at expos and conferences. This one was setup at the Bioneers Summit Conference in San Rafael CA in October 2014. Fresh frozen spirulina shots were served in juice drinks.

El Cerrito California Micropond
Another model spirulina growing pond installed in a suburban yard in El Cerrito California has a retractable greenhouse cover for protection in the rainier season. Harvesting for fresh frozen and low-temperature dried spirulina for local consumption.

Greenhouse Photobioreactors
To extend the growing season, the Olympia testbed evaluated heating and lighting system protocols. Effectively, the summer covered greenhouse transforms into a photobioreactor with heat and lights to raise production during the off-season.

Smart Remote Monitoring Systems
Using Smart Microfarm technology, automation and web-based monitoring systems will reduce the need for experts on site. Our microfarms have video web cams for remote viewing on the internet and operators send daily updates on cultivation and harvest metrics. We are developing automated sensors and apps for smart phones and tablets to connect with a central lab.

Richmond California Modular Units
Smart Microfarms developed and tested scalable indoor and backyard growing systems, producing fresh, frozen and dehydrated products for local consumption. Modular tanks for outdoor decks and backyard are designed to scale up to larger sizes.

Algae Aquarium Display Units
Algae Aquariums set up as kiosks and displays for store customers and people walking or driving by office windows. These aquariums show how algae can be grown at home or office on a small scale.

Company Introduction
Microfarm Business Opportunity
Microfarm Projects
Systems and Services
Management and Associates
Algae Industry Evolution and Competition
Marketing and Business Strategy