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Our City in a GardenOur City in a Garden is an urban, Toledo-based system to produce, prepare, distribute, process, and preserve healthy food products in the community, and to accomplish these ends in a manner that stresses environmental sustainability.
CIFT MembershipSince 1995, CIFT has organized and managed a membership-based consortium of food industry companies, their suppliers, and academic institutions. The goal of the consortium is to enhance the economic viability of Ohio's food and agricultural sector through technology.
Energy & Environmental ManagementEnergy and environmental management initiatives can improve the bottom line for businesses through cost reduction and alternative revenue pathways, essentially enhancing market competitiveness.
Food SafetyThis page covers food safety issues ranging from safety recalls and safe food handling practices to regulatory guidelines.
Local InitiativesCIFT Local Initiatives include the Farm to School Program, Local Food Manufacturers Program, Agritourism and the Farm to Chef Program.
NOCKThe Agricultural Incubator Foundation's Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) is a nonprofit kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses by providing access to a commercially licensed kithchen.
Northwest Ohio Energy Crop CenterThe mission of the Northern Ohio Energy Crop Center is the identification and evaluation of opportunities to involve regional growers, processors and other entrepreneurs in biofuel production.
Northwest Ohio Green Products CenterThe Northwest Ohio Green Products Center is a collaborative effort among several partnering organizations to provide the resources, technical assistance and business expertise to regional entrepreneurs or established manufacturers who currently produce, or plan to produce, green or biobased products.
USDA-ARS Technology Transfer ProgramUSDA-ARS technology transfer provides a means for moving promising technologies discovered through federal and university research into the public arena where they are developed into marketable products. USDA-ARS accomplishes this by forming partnerships with universities and private sector businesses.
In the CIFT Spotlight...
CIFT 2008 Report to IndustryA report of CIFT's 2008 programs, projects and activities Hoop HousesA CIFT hoop house feasibility study that will determine what plants are appropriate to plant and when these plants will generate the greatest economic return. Ohio Federal Stimulus Bill WebsiteAn Ohio website where parties interested in federal stimulus dollars can submit ideas. Ohio MarketMakerAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Ohio, providing an important link between producers and consumers. USDA Releases Beginning Farmers and Ranchers PublicationUSDA-ERS Economic Information Bulletin EIB-53 (32 pp, May 2009) draws on data from annual surveys and the Census of Agriculture to provide policymakers with a better understanding of beginning farmers and ranchers, including how they contribute to U.S. agricultural production. Vertical Hydroponic Growing SystemsA high density vertical growing system designed for non-traditional production locations. The system enables plants to grow in significantly smaller spaces and in varying ground covers from concrete to parking lots.
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CIFT News ArchiveA repository of past CIFT news stories... CIFT RSS FeedsSubscribe to CIFT RSS feeds... CIFT Video LibraryA collection of CIFT event videos... Contact UsThe CIFT contact page with phone numbers, email addresses and directions... Privacy PolicyThe CIFT website privacy policy...Other Resources...
Current FDA RecallsThe Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over recalls involving food and pet & farm animal feed. This page is a list of the latest FDA food recall notices. Current USDA RecallsThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspects and regulates meat, poultry products and eggs. This page is a list of the latest USDA food recall notices. FoodSafety.govFoodSafety.gov is your source for the latest news and information on food safety issues. Grants.govGrants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal government grants. Quick Reference Guide to Growth FinancingThis MEP guide provides information on general financing options, programs, and techniques available to small and medium-sized enterprises and companies pursuing growth oriented strategies.
CIFT News
An Urban Agriculture Opportunity Unveiled:
Promedica Announces First Harvest at its Vertical Hydroponics Garden
Harvested produce and dishes prepared with produce harvested from the vertical hydroponic garden at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio
On June 30, 2008, representatives of ProMedica Health System (PHS), displayed the fruits of their harvest from the area's first vertical hydroponic garden. The garden, installed at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, is a collaborative effort between CIFT and ProMedica designed to increase good nutrition awareness while showcasing non-traditional methods of food production particularly suited for urban settings.
The high density, vertical hydroponic growing system, manufactured by Verti-Gro and supplied by Earthsafe Ozone of Lima, Ohio, was installed on Flower Hospital grounds in early June. This system enables plants to be grown in non-traditional environments without the use of soil. This, along with the vertical plant arrangement, significantly reduces the plot footprint and can be constructed on anything from patios to parking lots. The pots can be installed outside as a garden or inside a greenhouse or hoophouse for an extended growing season. In urban settings, vacant lots or unused parking lots are prime locations where food can be grown to support the local community.
Promedica's Barb Petee discussing Flower Hospital's experiences with vertical hydroponic gardening
Ohio Ninth District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, along with CIFT representatives, assisted in unveiling the garden. The vertical hydroponic growing system at Flower Hospital includes 96 pots with more than 2,000 vegetable plants including several varieties of lettuce, greens, green onions, tomatoes, broccoli and beans. The pots are mounted on poles and filled with a ground coconut shell potting medium that is designed to hold moisture and maintain the root base. Water and nutrients are pumped to row headers and distributed to the pots via drip tubes. Within 3 weeks of construction and planting, lettuce was harvested.
CIFT President David Beck and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur discussing vertical hydroponics gardening with Earthsafe Ozone representative Jerry Dicus
The harvested vegetables are used in the hospital’s cafeteria and donated to Sylvania Area Family Services.
"We are pleased to participate in this innovative program to help raise community awareness about easy and economical ways to eat healthier," said Barb Petee, Vice President, PHS Advocacy and Government Relations.
In addition to providing produce,, the garden will be used for educational tours and nutrition classes offered by ProMedica Health System. It is the first of several community health programs that will be introduced over the next year as part of a new system-wide initiative called Fields of Green. The program will help combat obesity and encourage healthier eating.
Emphasizing the potential for growing vegetables quickly and efficiently within an urban environment, Rebecca Singer, CIFT Associate Program Director, commented, "We envision incorporating systems such as this throughout the city in parking lots enabling fresh produce to be available to the immediate communities".
Please view the event video...
Promedica Announces First Harvest at its Vertical Hydroponics Garden - Remarks by Ohio 9th District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Barb Petee, and Rebecca Singer. (13 minutes)
For more information on this event and vertical hydroponic gardening:
For more information about the Promedica's Fields of Green initiative:
Please contact Stephanie Cihon, PHS Community Relations Manager, at 419-469-3896.
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