Learn about GrowUp Urban Farms!

This 2014 video clip from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallow shows actor Morgan Freeman discussing how he turned his 124-acre ranch in Mississippi into a refuge for them.

The story has been circulating again thanks to the popular Facebook page The Free Thought Project. We're always happy to see a ringing endorsement for saving the bees!

“There’s a concerted effort to bring bees back onto the planet…we do not realize that they are the foundation, I think, of the growth of the planet, the vegetation…”

We’d like to thank Freeman and other likeminded folks who are working to save bees in their own backyards. Sustainability starts at home!

Find out how Freeman becomes “one with the bees,” why he doesn’t even wear a beekeeper’s outfit and more in this clip:

PowerMatcher Technology

The Flexible Power Alliance Network has decided to release the PowerMatcher Suite free and open source.

"PowerMatcher is an agent-based technology to leverage the power consumption and production in a decentralized manner giving the users full control."

Acting on the principle of supply and demand, devices place bids on their willingness to consume or produce energy, and could be a game changer.

Data for Good.

Here's a movement we can all get behind.

Open data should do no harm and make things better. This simply, socially responsible approach is, in our opinion, the key to a thriving open source ecosystem in which socially good data is made public.

"We’ve seen too many instances of datasets that should have been kept private making it into the public domain—as well as instances of datasets that should have become public, and datasets that have been carefully pruned being criticized for release."

There's a simple three step tier everyone can take, whether it is with revealing data, or simply discussing something one-on-one with a peer: Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said right now? Simply checks and balances clear of malcontent can only make open data better.

Fascinating stuff!

This book explores an opens source city by using Raleigh, North Carolina as its case study. It explores the use of transparency and collaboration when it comes to government and data, and reflects how these things would affect the city's culture, politics, economics and more.

What we love about this is the book isn't just a case study, but a how-to-guide for cities that wish to be open source as well.

Some very important legislation happening in New York regarding open source software and tax credits for those associated with their development. While part of the whole open movment is making products and programs accessible by offering them to the public, making it certainly comes with expenses for those on the design end. This legislation would help cushion their expenses during the development process.

Click the link to learn more.

We love anything that has to do with vertical farming, as you know, and today, we wanted to shed some light on farming. Specifically on…well, the lighting. Pretty important to plant growth.

Kind LED grow lights are making it possible for plants to thrive in new crop facilities where the outdoor climate would typically not be suitable. Thanks to the slim shape and the fact that they requiring little to no maintenance makes these bulbs a shoe in for vertical farming! Plus the lights are waterproof; so no muss no fuss when it comes to watering the farm.

“These kinds of technological advances in lighting have made possible environments that have never been seen before, and the proof of validity of the application lies in the fact that the plants thrive as hard as any growing in the sunlight, using less water, less nutrients, and without sunlight.”

Urban farming is going to become instrumental in feeding our nation and fighting off drought. The fact that ultra industrial Detroit is at the epicenter of this movement is absolutely inspiring.

We particularly enjoy that the Artesian Farms creator featured in this particular story wasn't necessarily seeking out green opportunities, but viable entrepreneurial ones! It's great when good business sense and environmental causes can come together.

We are thrilled to see that the city utilizing vertical farming! If an urban Goliath like Detroit can implement these agricultural changes, you can too! We can't wait to help you take those first steps to a cleaner, greener life with our open source greenhouse kits.

We love this kickstarter! We highly recommend you checkout the EcoQube C. Beautiful, sustainable, and incredibly creative design- this is something you'll want in your home!