Abstract: A fodder growing apparatus includes an insulated housing having a draining floor, a door-closable open face, and a plurality of vertically-spaced platforms being supported in a position inclined downward between 3° and about 6°. The apparatus further includes pass-through irrigation system including spray nozzles supported over each of the platforms and supplied with water. An illumination system of the apparatus includes an LED equipped lighting assembly supported over each of the platforms. A ventilation system of the apparatus includes forced ventilation means. The apparatus further includes a programmable controller selected to deliver a time-variant program of at least irrigation and lighting, and temperature control means controlling the temperature within the housing.

Abstract: There is provided a fodder growing system (10) comprising a building slab 11 and insulated walls and roof panels 16 to form an insulated housing. A plurality of vertically-spaced, thermally massive MgO composite platforms (41) is supported at each end by uprights (34) and stringers (37, 40). The platform (41) is inclined 4° downward to a substantially unobstructed front edge. An irrigation system includes control means (51) for delivery of a selected, six-day irrigation program from a water supply (23, 26) to spray nozzles (45) supported over each of said platforms (41). An illumination system controlled by the control means (51) drives LED arrays (not shown) supported over each of said platforms (41). Temperature control means comprises a thermal collector (25) heating hot water supply (26) blended by a tempering valve with the cold water supply under the control of the control means (51) to control the temperature within the housing by controlling the temperature of the water supply.

Abstract: The present device is a structure for growing plants on a ground surface. The structure includes an elongated concrete slab having a raised curb on each side. A roof is fixed with the upper edge of each curb. A front end panel and a rear end panel are fixed between the roof, the curbs and the slab creating an interior space. An irrigation system and lamps extend along the length of the slab to irrigate and illuminate a top surface of the slab. At least one heating pipe is within each slab to heat the slab and the plants within the structure. Plant seeds may be scattered on the top surface of the slab and are irrigated based on a timed schedule by the irrigation system and illuminated by the lamps to grow the plants. The end panels are removed for harvesting the plants once the plants have grown.

Abstract: A transportable fodder production unit is disclosed that includes an insulated container having a front end and a rear end, a plurality of trays each having drain apertures through a bottom side thereof, a racking system for supporting each of the trays with a plurality of shelves extending from the front end of the container to the rear end of the container, an irrigation system attachable to a water source and having a water tank in fluid communication with a plurality of spray heads through a pump and a plurality of pipes, a lighting system that maintains a predetermined illumination within the container, a thermal control system that maintains the temperature inside the container within a predetermined temperature range, and a central control system for activating the other systems and maintaining electrical load balancing on a power source.