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THE PLANT - A Plant for the Future? (vanity, or chat -whatever)
Website ^ | November 2012 | The plant website

Posted on 11/19/2012 8:52:08 AM PST by Baynative

I'm a global warming skeptic and I don't warm up quickly to all the fuzzy talk about farmers markets and community gardens. But, I ran across this on a blog and it got my interest right away.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: chicago; green; plant
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This 93,000 sq ft abandoned building in Chicago is being turned into a completely self sufficient food and energy production facility that seems to make wonderful sense - finally - of some enterprising green vision.

I'm sorry to see all the non-profit and government grant garbage that we've been punished with too much lately. But, check out This Video of how the plant works. I'd like comments from people with knowledge of energy or indoor gardening as I am seriously interested in coping with the future heading our way.

1 posted on 11/19/2012 8:52:17 AM PST by Baynative
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To: Baynative; Condor51; PhilCollins

47th and Ashland! Not the bestest of neighborhoods for being in on Thursday evening (payday).

The Unions will eff this thing up anyway.


2 posted on 11/19/2012 8:58:24 AM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel (Bread and Circuses; Everyone to the Coliseum!)
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To: Baynative

I bet it makes no economic sense. Property taxes must be heck.


3 posted on 11/19/2012 9:02:35 AM PST by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: Baynative

So, will those 125 (?) jobs be the new reduced hour jobs so that in reality they’re only providing 62 jobs? How much of my tax dollars will be wasted on this? How drunk will the fish become after eating the brewery waste?

On Doombsday Preppers, there was a family who was attempting to cycle like this. They filled their pool with tilapia and had goats and a garden in their backyard. Parts would work but I doubt an entire company could be totally self sufficient as they’d need a lot more room and sunlight for the brewery grains. Besides, didn’t the video say they would be bringing in outside waste.


4 posted on 11/19/2012 9:02:54 AM PST by bgill (We've passed the point of no return. Welcome to Al Amerika.)
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To: Baynative

Soylent Green Manufacturing. Probably gets government handouts.


5 posted on 11/19/2012 9:04:11 AM PST by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: Baynative

Which Federal agency will run this operation?

What is the breakdown of Union jobs required to operate?

Planter’s Union
Waterer’s Union
Fertilizer Union (excess capacitiy there....)
Harvester Union
Packaging Union
Inspector Union
Loader’s Union
Trucker’s Union
etc....


6 posted on 11/19/2012 9:07:35 AM PST by G Larry (Which of Obama's policies do you think I'd support if he were white?)
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To: bgill; G Larry

I said I was disappointed in the non-profit and grant rubbish and I anticipated all the union and employment problems in Chicago. As a matter of fact, I put an alarm in my calendar to look back at this later and see if they suspend government intrusion to make this work. But, I’m honestly curious about the workability of the energy/production model.


7 posted on 11/19/2012 9:11:16 AM PST by Baynative
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To: bgill
So, will those 125 (?) jobs be the new reduced hour jobs so that in reality they’re only providing 62 jobs? How much of my tax dollars will be wasted on this? How drunk will the fish become after eating the brewery waste?

I didn't see anything about paying jobs at the site. I DID see a link for volunteers and a donation link.

I don't think fish can get drunk. I know you can "drink like a fish" but I never heard anyone say "drunk like a fish". :O)

8 posted on 11/19/2012 9:13:33 AM PST by raybbr (People who still support Obama are either a Marxist or a moron.)
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To: Baynative

Those tomatoes strip mined in Fla are inedible. I think people would be willing to pay a premium for really fresh, really flavorful produce.


9 posted on 11/19/2012 9:14:27 AM PST by DManA ( you)
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To: DManA
Those tomatoes strip mined in Fla...

?

10 posted on 11/19/2012 9:29:10 AM PST by Baynative
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To: Baynative

this might have more applications than just “green nazi” purposes. If it is viable it may be adapted to different environments. This might be able to be adapted to a moon base environment or other types of environments where you would need a closed loop system. I will be watching to see if this project is feesable and what the results are. thanks for the link


11 posted on 11/19/2012 9:39:45 AM PST by SouthernBoyupNorth ("For my wings are made of Tungsten, my flesh of glass and steel..........")
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To: Baynative

I get where you’re coming from!

There are a few things that I find fascinating about this whole idea. I’m wondering how small-scale you could take it down and still have it work.

I’m also wondering if the plants would grow in soil or with hydroponics.

I wish they had a better layout of the design.


12 posted on 11/19/2012 9:41:00 AM PST by Marie ("The last time Democrats gloated this hard after a health care victory, they lost 60 House seats.")
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To: Baynative

Nevermind! I just found a lot of the answers to my questions!

Aquaponics...


13 posted on 11/19/2012 9:42:06 AM PST by Marie ("The last time Democrats gloated this hard after a health care victory, they lost 60 House seats.")
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To: Baynative

The industrial tomatoe farms grow varietes bred for yeild and the ability to resist blemishes in shipping.

Flavor was not a consideration. Obviously.


14 posted on 11/19/2012 9:43:10 AM PST by DManA ( you)
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To: Marie
There are a lot of small scale hydroponic options. One is a vertical carousel that is said to be capable of growing the equivalent of a 1,500 sq ft garden in a closet area.
15 posted on 11/19/2012 9:45:44 AM PST by Baynative
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16 posted on 11/19/2012 9:49:46 AM PST by RedMDer (May we always be happy and may our enemies always know it. - Sarah Palin, 10-18-2010)
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To: Baynative

The fly in the ointment with most of these systems is getting enough candlepower at a cost that won’t negate all the other advantages.


17 posted on 11/19/2012 10:04:47 AM PST by Trod Upon (Obama: Making the Carter malaise look good. Misery Index in 3...2...1)
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel

Is Darling and Co. still in operation?

If you’ve ever driven down Ashland when Darling’s rendering facility was still functional, you’d never forget the smell - that place by itself would’ve been able to supply all the waste organic material those folks would need to run their plant Plant.


18 posted on 11/19/2012 10:16:33 AM PST by Stosh
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To: RedMDer

I was scheduled to visit The Plant but was sick that day, those who took the tour came away pretty impressed.

Smart alec commenters on FR: this is a product of good science and engineering combined with innovation. Things “we” are supposed to cherish, not ridicule.


19 posted on 11/19/2012 10:37:45 AM PST by bigbob
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To: bigbob

‘Take it to green’ means finishing the FReepathon.

I hope no one takes the post the wrong way.


20 posted on 11/19/2012 10:45:30 AM PST by RedMDer (May we always be happy and may our enemies always know it. - Sarah Palin, 10-18-2010)
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