Ecotone Renewables
Seahorse System
From 2017-2020 I worked with a team of many undergraduate students to design and develop a circular loop farming system. We noticed many problems in our food system:
1) We lived in a food desert 2) Over 40% of all food produced is wasted
Combining the technologies of anaerobic digestion and hydroponics, we reinvented the food waste and growth system.
As CEO, I worked to brand the business, raised over $120,000 in funding, created 5 local partnerships, and managed the team.
Customer Discovery
Farmers/Gardeners (15)
“Fertilizer is 40% of our operating cost”
“The smell of fertilizer can tell you if it’s good or not”
“We have to test new plots for lead poisoning”
Local Businesses (12)
“Last week we had to throw away 500 loaves of bread”
“It costs $120/mo to throw our trash out”
“We are never able to donate everything, we always waste”
The Opportunity
Nearly all businesses deal with food waste. Even with nonprofits striving to redirect food, there was still waste leftover. Meanwhile, farmers were paying excessively for fertilizer and Pittsburgh had soil pollution.
The Process
Anaerobic digestion is the process of microorganisms breaking down organic material without oxygen being present. Similar to a human stomach, food goes in, then gas and liquid comes out. The gas can be combusted for electricity and the liquid can be used as fertilizer. This occurs at the bottom of the Seahorse System
Hydroponics is soilless farming, based at the top of the system. Basil, tomatoes, and other vegetables were grown in water based system.
Combining these two solutions lead to an exciting opportunity that could create amazing outcomes for the community.
Requirements
Safe: This type of system is traditionally used at an industrial level, so this was a challenge we worked to solve.
Odor Control: While I may think this smell is one of love and hard work, most people would not agree.
Educational: As a community project, this should be accessible to others.
Easy to Use: Anyone should be able to use the system.
The Outcome
