localgreenchain/docs/guides/vertical-farm-guide.md

Vertical Farm Operator Guide

Complete guide for managing vertical farming operations with LocalGreenChain.

Getting Started

Register Your Farm

POST /api/vertical-farm/register

{
  name: "Urban Greens VF",
  ownerId: "owner-123",

  location: {
    latitude: 40.7128,
    longitude: -74.0060,
    address: "123 Industrial Blvd",
    city: "Brooklyn",
    country: "USA",
    timezone: "America/New_York"
  },

  specs: {
    totalAreaSqm: 500,
    growingAreaSqm: 400,
    numberOfLevels: 4,
    ceilingHeightM: 4,
    totalGrowingPositions: 5000,
    powerCapacityKw: 150,
    waterStorageL: 10000,
    backupPowerHours: 24,
    certifications: ["gap", "local_food_safety"],
    buildingType: "warehouse",
    insulation: "high_efficiency"
  },

  automationLevel: "semi_automated"
}

Zone Configuration

Create Growing Zones

POST /api/vertical-farm/{farmId}/zones

{
  name: "Zone A - Leafy Greens",
  level: 1,
  areaSqm: 100,
  lengthM: 20,
  widthM: 5,
  growingMethod: "NFT",  // NFT, DWC, ebb_flow, aeroponics, vertical_towers, rack_system
  plantPositions: 1200,

  environmentTargets: {
    temperatureC: { min: 18, max: 24, target: 21 },
    humidityPercent: { min: 55, max: 75, target: 65 },
    co2Ppm: { min: 800, max: 1400, target: 1000 },
    lightPpfd: { min: 200, max: 400, target: 300 },
    lightHours: 16,
    nutrientEc: { min: 1.2, max: 1.8, target: 1.5 },
    nutrientPh: { min: 5.5, max: 6.5, target: 6.0 },
    waterTempC: { min: 18, max: 22, target: 20 }
  }
}

Zone Growing Methods

Method	Best For	Water Use	Complexity
NFT	Leafy greens, herbs	Low	Medium
DWC	Lettuce, basil	Medium	Low
Aeroponics	High-value crops	Very Low	High
Vertical Towers	Microgreens, strawberries	Low	Medium
Rack System	Microgreens	Low	Low

Growing Recipes

Available Default Recipes

GET /api/vertical-farm/recipes

// Returns:
[
  {
    id: "recipe-lettuce-butterhead",
    name: "Butterhead Lettuce - Fast Cycle",
    expectedDays: 35,
    expectedYieldGrams: 180,
    expectedYieldPerSqm: 4000
  },
  {
    id: "recipe-basil-genovese",
    name: "Genovese Basil - Aromatic",
    expectedDays: 42,
    expectedYieldGrams: 120
  },
  {
    id: "recipe-microgreens-mix",
    name: "Microgreens Mix - Quick Turn",
    expectedDays: 14,
    expectedYieldGrams: 200
  }
]

Recipe Stages

Each recipe defines stages with specific environment targets:

// Lettuce example stages
[
  {
    name: "Germination",
    daysStart: 0,
    daysEnd: 3,
    temperature: { day: 20, night: 18 },
    humidity: { day: 80, night: 85 },
    co2Ppm: 800,
    lightHours: 18,
    lightPpfd: 150,
    targetEc: 0.8,
    targetPh: 6.0
  },
  {
    name: "Seedling",
    daysStart: 4,
    daysEnd: 10,
    temperature: { day: 21, night: 18 },
    humidity: { day: 70, night: 75 },
    lightPpfd: 200,
    targetEc: 1.2
  },
  {
    name: "Vegetative Growth",
    daysStart: 11,
    daysEnd: 28,
    lightPpfd: 300,
    targetEc: 1.6
  },
  {
    name: "Finishing",
    daysStart: 29,
    daysEnd: 35,
    lightPpfd: 250,
    targetEc: 1.2
  }
]

Batch Management

Start a Crop Batch

POST /api/vertical-farm/batch/start

{
  farmId: "farm-123",
  zoneId: "zone-a",
  recipeId: "recipe-lettuce-butterhead",
  seedBatchId: "seeds-lettuce-001",
  plantCount: 200
}

Response:

{
  "batchId": "batch-abc123",
  "plantingDate": "2024-06-01T08:00:00Z",
  "expectedHarvestDate": "2024-07-06T08:00:00Z",
  "expectedYieldKg": 36,
  "plantIds": ["batch-abc123-plant-0", "..."]
}

Monitor Batch Progress

GET /api/vertical-farm/batch/{batchId}

Response:

{
  "id": "batch-abc123",
  "currentDay": 15,
  "currentStage": "Vegetative Growth",
  "healthScore": 95,
  "status": "growing",
  "expectedHarvestDate": "2024-07-06",
  "issues": []
}

Record Environment Readings

PUT /api/vertical-farm/batch/{batchId}/environment

{
  timestamp: "2024-06-15T12:00:00Z",
  temperatureC: 21.5,
  humidityPercent: 68,
  co2Ppm: 1050,
  ppfd: 295,
  dli: 17.0,
  waterTempC: 19.5,
  ec: 1.55,
  ph: 6.1,
  dissolvedOxygenPpm: 8.2,
  airflowMs: 0.5
}

Complete Harvest

POST /api/vertical-farm/batch/{batchId}/harvest

{
  actualYieldKg: 38.5,
  qualityGrade: "A",
  notes: "Excellent crop, slight overperformance on yield"
}

Environment Monitoring

Alert Types

Alert Type	Trigger	Severity
low	Below minimum target	Warning
high	Above maximum target	Warning
critical_low	>5 below minimum	Critical
critical_high	>5 above maximum	Critical
sensor_fault	Sensor malfunction	Critical

Alert Response

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│          ENVIRONMENT ALERT              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                         │
│  Parameter: Temperature                 │
│  Current: 28°C                          │
│  Target: 21°C (max: 24°C)               │
│  Type: HIGH                             │
│                                         │
│  Recommended Actions:                   │
│  1. Check HVAC system status            │
│  2. Verify ventilation is operational   │
│  3. Consider reducing light intensity   │
│  4. Check for blocked airflow           │
│                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Health Score Impact

Condition	Health Score Impact
No alerts	No change
Minor alert	-1 point
Critical alert	-5 points
Extended critical	-10 points/day

Analytics

View Farm Analytics

GET /api/vertical-farm/{farmId}/analytics?period=30

Response:

{
  "farmId": "farm-123",
  "period": "30 days",

  "production": {
    "totalYieldKg": 450,
    "yieldPerSqmPerYear": 4100,
    "cropCyclesCompleted": 12,
    "averageCycleDays": 28
  },

  "quality": {
    "averageQualityScore": 92,
    "gradeAPercent": 85,
    "wastagePercent": 4.5
  },

  "efficiency": {
    "cropSuccessRate": 98,
    "spaceUtilization": 88,
    "laborHoursPerKg": 0.3
  },

  "financial": {
    "revenueUsd": 9000,
    "costUsd": 4500,
    "profitMarginPercent": 50,
    "revenuePerSqm": 22.50
  },

  "environmental": {
    "carbonFootprintKgPerKg": 0.28,
    "waterUseLPerKg": 4.5,
    "energyUseKwhPerKg": 15
  },

  "topCrops": {
    "byYield": ["lettuce", "basil", "microgreens"],
    "byRevenue": ["basil", "lettuce", "microgreens"],
    "byEfficiency": ["microgreens", "lettuce", "basil"]
  }
}

Integration with Demand

Respond to Demand Signals

// Check regional demand
GET /api/demand/signal?lat=40.7128&lon=-74.0060&radius=25

// Find gaps you can fill
{
  "demandItems": [
    {
      "produceType": "lettuce",
      "gapKg": 50,
      "urgency": "this_week"
    }
  ]
}

// Start batch to fill demand
POST /api/vertical-farm/batch/start
{
  recipeId: "recipe-lettuce-butterhead",
  plantCount: 280  // To produce ~50kg
}

Commit Supply

POST /api/demand/supply

{
  produceType: "lettuce",
  variety: "butterhead",
  committedQuantityKg: 50,
  availableFrom: "2024-07-06",
  freshnessGuaranteeHours: 24,
  certifications: ["local_food_safety"]
}

Blockchain Recording

Every batch creates transport events:

Seed Acquisition → Transport recorded
    ↓
Planting Event → Transport recorded
    ↓
Environment Logs → Stored with batch
    ↓
Harvest Event → Transport recorded
    ↓
Distribution → Transport recorded

Consumers can scan QR codes to see:

• Exact growing conditions
• Recipe used
• Environment history
• Seed lineage

Best Practices

For Operators

1. Calibrate Regularly - Sensors need weekly checks
2. Follow Recipes - Don't deviate without reason
3. Log Everything - Data enables optimization
4. Respond to Alerts - Quick action prevents losses
5. Maintain Equipment - Preventive > reactive

For Efficiency

1. Stagger Batches - Continuous harvest flow
2. Match Demand - Check signals before planting
3. Optimize Light - Biggest energy cost
4. Recirculate Water - >95% reuse target
5. Track KPIs - What gets measured improves

For Quality

1. Start Clean - Sanitize between batches
2. Monitor Daily - Catch issues early
3. Harvest at Peak - Don't over-mature
4. Temperature Chain - Maintain cold chain
5. Grade Honestly - Quality builds trust

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue	Possible Causes	Solutions
Low yield	Light too low, nutrients off	Check PPFD, EC levels
Tip burn	High EC, low calcium	Reduce nutrients, add CalMag
Bolting	Temperature too high	Reduce temp, increase airflow
Root rot	Low oxygen, warm water	Add air stones, cool reservoir
Slow growth	Low CO2, wrong temp	Check CO2 injection, adjust HVAC

Emergency Procedures

POWER FAILURE:
1. Backup power should engage automatically
2. Reduce light intensity if on battery
3. Maintain water circulation priority
4. Alert on-call technician

HVAC FAILURE:
1. Reduce light intensity immediately
2. Open vents for passive cooling
3. Mist plants if temperature rising
4. Call HVAC service

WATER LEAK:
1. Shut off main water supply
2. Isolate affected zone
3. Salvage plants if possible
4. Document for insurance

Resource Efficiency

Energy Optimization

Component	% of Total	Optimization
Lighting	50-60%	LED efficacy, DLI optimization
HVAC	20-30%	Heat pump, recovery systems
Pumps	5-10%	Variable speed drives
Other	5-10%	Automation, scheduling

Water Conservation

• Target: >95% water recirculation
• Condensate recovery from HVAC
• Rainwater collection if available
• RO reject water for non-crop use

Next Steps

• Grower Guide - Traditional growing
• Transport Guide - Tracking transport
• Consumer Guide - Consumer perspective