Vertical Hydroponics Saves Space

First of all, you don't need a huge space for vertical farming. You can dedicate a small space in your roof's corner, and the concept will still work. In fact, you can start growing a few herbs in your kitchen corner. Experts believe that vertical farming has the potential to solve world hunger if every family follows it religiously.

Saves water

In addition to saving space, vertical farming also saves tons of water. Experts say that this type of farming can save as much as 95% of water compared to regular farming methods. This is because vertical farming uses recycled water. Any excess water that drips from one plant flows to the plant right below it.

The Current Trend is to Grow Your Own Food. 

It is just as important to grow your own food as it is to grow conventional, not organic food. You need to be able to source local, regional, and even national organic produce, and have a good knowledge of what you are looking for. Organic produce is expensive. Organic fertilizer is expensive. Organic soil amendments are expensive. Organic pest control is expensive. All of these things need to be paid for somehow.

Conventional vs. Organic Farming

You will need to understand the farming practices of conventional vs organic farming. Most farmers don't know the difference between conventional and organic farming. Unless you know what you are doing you should not become a farmer.

If you become a farmer you will then need to educate yourself on the differences between organically grown and organically fed produce, and the various feeding regimens to obtain the healthiest produce possible, which is what all local, regional, national organic certifiers aim to achieve.

Organic Herbs Are Expensive = Immediate Payback

If you are growing your own food you will need to have an idea of what you are doing if you want to be able to source local organic vegetables and herbs when you need them. If you want to grow your own food you will need to learn a good deal about hydroponic vs. soil/rock farming. You will need to be able to source your locally grown produce, even if it is just a few herbs here or a few tomatoes there when you find it. You will need to know how to maintain your system with ease, and how to manage pests, and bacteria.

You will need to have a good idea of where to find organic minerals, and what the best practices are to keep your system free of chemical residues. You will need to be able to know where to find organic pesticides, and which ones are the most effective, and more importantly, how to use them. It is also important to find where organic wine is available, and how to use it.

 If you are growing your own food you will need to know where to source organic produce, cheese, and milk, and where the local organic dairy products are. The point here is that organic farming will give you a whole range of products that are of vastly differing qualities. It is essential to know where you are going to find organic products, and how to source them.

Before we look into the purposes of off grid power systems and the benefits of using them, we need to define what an off-grid power system actually means. To define it in simpler terms, an off-grid power system is a form of a power system independent and not connected to an electric grid. On the other hand, an electric grid is a network of electricity consumers and producers that allow electricity to be transmitted from a generating station to distribution lines to a residential or commercial building. Most off grid power systems are operated using renewable energy sources, notably solar, wind, hydropower (micro-hydro), and even batteries.

What is the Purpose of Off-Grid Power Systems?

Just like power systems connected to electric grids, off-grid power systems provide electricity to both commercial and residential establishments alike. Off-grid systems allow families and businesses to operate and do day-to-day tasks that need electricity, such as washing, cooking, lighting, and even entertainment. However, off-grid power systems have been seen by policymakers, community leaders, and businesses alike to solve the lack of access to electricity that many people all over the world still experience.

Off-grid power provide electricity to houses and businesses without being connected to electric grids. Because of this, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and micro-hydro energy are often used to power off-grid systems. Hence, off-grid systems have become a sustainable solution in providing electricity to communities that cannot be reached by electric grids for various reasons such as cost and location. Isolated communities and individual households that want to reduce their negative impact on the environment greatly benefit from off-grid power systems as they could get power without having to rely on electric grids that mostly run on non-renewable energy sources, such as oil and gas.

What are The Benefits of Off-Grid Power Solution?

The benefits that off-grid power systems provide to both communities and the environment alike are huge. Sadly, not everyone still sees the advantages of using off-grid power systems in households and businesses alike. Since this is the case, here are some of the greatest advantages of using off-grid power systems.

Reducing Negative Impacts on the Environment

Because most off-grid power systems use renewable sources such as sunlight, wind, and even water, they are environmentally friendly and have little to no negative impact on the environment. This is great for anyone who is committed to cut down their carbon footprint on their daily activities, which involve using electricity.

Also, power stations that use oil and gas to generate electricity greatly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming. In fact, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions reported that electricity and heating is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions all over the globe. This is one of the main reasons NGOs, governments, and businesses worldwide look up to off-grid power systems as an attainable and sustainable solution to the lack of access to electricity and greenhouse gas emissions caused by power generation.

Off grid Shelter

You can't just decide to pitch a tent in the woods and call it off grid living. Most states will penalize you for that, or even send you to jail. The best way to navigate this is to get a permanent building, that's AWAY. But of course, even the home you build will be subject to regulations. Some cities have minimum square footage you must adhere to, failure of which can make your off grid living illegal.

If you're been able to read the city's building codes with a fine comb and determined your house exceeds legal requirements, you still have to consider some other limitations, like the right to farm some lands come with or are prohibited from.

Some home owners' associations prevent line spreading of clothes, so you can't even conserve energy by drying your clothes outdoors. If there's a limit on the crops you can grow, you're going to have a lot of trouble growing your own groceries.

Off Grid Waste Processing

One of the government services most people take for granted is waste disposal - both trash and human waste. Have you thought through your waste disposal? If you decide to dispose your own toilet waste, where will it go?

Note that using human waste as manure is still frowned upon in many states, so you may have a tough time claiming you grow your crops with your poop. Even if its for personal consumption, some states won't allow you.

After sorting our your toilet waste, there's still the matter of recycling your kitchen waste. We live in an increasingly eco-conscious world, so tossing your trash any where won't work. Of course living off grid means you'll have more organic waste. As long as you can show how your living in an area won't violate compost laws, and recycling laws, you should be good. 

Off Grid Water

If you'll be disconnecting from the city's water supply, you'll need to proof you have constant, portable treated water - especially if you'll have minors living with you. Rain water won't necessarily count because some states have rules against drinking it.

The reason is that rain water's typically harvested after they've touched roof shingles. And because most roof shingles are treated with chemicals to deter mold and grass from growing on them, states are concerned the chemicals used in treating roofs could poison rain water.

One way to counter this is to have a rain water harvesting facility that's entirely excluded from your roof. Or you could dig a well. Again, try as much as you can to adhere with the rules and regulations concerning water use. Worse case scenario, you can decide to connect to your government's water and sewer services.

It's a lot more expensive when you live so far from the general population, and if you don't have a lot of money sitting in a bank, you'll have financial problems. But it's the easiest way to navigate the most stringent off grid living laws.