We all share a common need for food, essential for survival. As a society, we recognize the importance of understanding where our food originates and how it reaches us. It empowers us to voice informed opinions on these critical matters, as food is among the most significant challenges any society must address.
There are various ways in which the food available in modern society is frankly very unsustainable. We aim to correct the systemic issues that the food industry faces from farming, fishing and hunting to transportation and storage. We will work on creating solutions for food waste, food security and supply chain management.
With our web-based application for the digitization and supply chain management of agriculture. Whether it be a cattle farm or an indoor vertical farm we will connect the dots between producers and consumers allowing for people and businesses to be in direct contact with the farms closest to them.
We will also introduce new ways for people to invest their money. Space Cowboy Finance app allows people to invest in their local farms as well as farms across the world allowing farmers to scale up their businesses and giving them access to the latest technology.
Aquaculture
Farming of aquatic life is a growing industry shellfish, seaweed, algae and fish farming is a relatively new practice and neither it's environmental impacts or best practices are fully understood. Through the development of best practices we can create new solutions that lessen the degree of environmental damage to areas such as mangroves and shallow costal areas.
We will reduce aquaculture’s impact to the environment by slowing the growth of unsustainable practices and replacing them with better solutions. We will allow nature to reclaim the areas that have been damaged as well by moving aquaculture operations to deeper locations turning them into mariculture operations.
Mariculture
We at Space Cowboy have an entirely new approach to mariculture. We believe that we can advance the practice of aquaculture in the open ocean. We believe we can create new industrial standards by combining the cultivation of marine organisms with the processing into their final products all in the open ocean.
The issue that makes mariculture less attractive to most in the aquaculture industry is because of cost. It is a fact that the cost of building enclosed sections of the ocean, tanks, ponds or raceways which are filled with seawater, is prohibitively expensive especially for people in developing countries.
At this current moment in history if no one steps in and improves the processes involved in aquaculture and mariculture we may destroy the coastal areas completely and coral bleaching will be the least of our problems.
Sustainable mariculture can provide much needed economic and environmental benefits. Economies of scale imply that ranching can produce fish at lower cost than industrial fishing, leading to better human diets and the gradual elimination of unsustainable fisheries.
Fish grown by mariculture are also perceived to be of higher quality than fish raised in ponds or tanks. Mariculture can offer a more diverse choice of species and can occupy areas that would otherwise be considered dead zones. Consistent supply and quality control will enable rapid growth and integration in food market channels.
Open ocean aquaculture (OOA) uses cages, nets, or long-line arrays that are moored, towed or float freely. Research and commercial open ocean aquaculture facilities are in operation or under development in Panama, Australia, Chile, China, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and Norway. As of 2004, two commercial open ocean facilities were operating in U.S. waters, raising Threadfin near Hawaii and cobia near Puerto Rico.
All U.S. commercial facilities are currently sited in waters under state or territorial jurisdiction. The largest deep water open ocean farm in the world is raising cobia 12 km off the northern coast of Panama.
Space Cowboy believes that a new age of industry is upon us. The largest cost associated with the mariculture industry is the distance that must be traveled to reach the mariculture farms in the open ocean. We believe that with our modern construction techniques we can solve the problems of transportation of workers to the mariculture nets and fish back to the processing plants.
Building sustainable factories and housing on the open ocean will allow Space Cowboy to create new special economic zones that will in turn create legal and financial incentives for big companies to move their operations to the ocean.
Raising marine organisms under controlled conditions in high-energy ocean environments beyond significant coastal influence, is a relatively new approach to mariculture.
There has been considerable discussion as to how mariculture of seaweeds can be conducted in the open ocean as a means to regenerate decimated fish populations by providing both habitat and the basis of a trophic pyramid for marine life.
Space Cowboy is dedicated to the idea of building new natural seaweed ecosystems that can be replicated in the open ocean by creating the conditions for their growth through artificial upwelling and through submerged tubing that provide substrate. Proponents and permaculture experts recognise that such approaches correspond to the core principles of permaculture and thereby constitute Marine Permaculture.The concept envisions using artificial upwelling and floating, submerged platforms as substrate to replicate natural seaweed ecosystems that provide habitat and the basis of a trophic pyramid for marine life.
Following the principles of permaculture, seaweeds and fish from Marine Permaculture arrays can be sustainably harvested with the potential of also sequestering atmospheric carbon, should seaweeds be sunk below a depth of one kilometer. As of 2020, a number of successful trials have taken place in Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Tasmania.
Shelter
New methods of construction that are cheap and sustainable are a necessity for future generations. We are past the time when we can turn a blind eye to other countries in the world. Issues of pollution and environmental destruction such as deforestation are big issues and they affect the whole world.
We are all connected, and we are only as strong as our weakest link. With mass immigration into first world countries, we must examine the root causes to how we can improve the quality of life in the places people are fleeing from. Foreign aid should not be given just as money but given through training in methods of sustainable development.
Giving a man a fish will never be as valuable as teaching a man to fish. With efforts to expand human life into the ocean, our species will have a better chance of long-term survival on this world and the next.
We believe we must create new forms of construction that require minimal material to be transported in order to create, these are the building methods that will be used on other planets. We believe that a focus on building in the harshest environments on Earth will teach us the most about what we will need in the designs and developments of the future. We intend to introduce new methods and solutions for fighting desertification.
Indoor farming, also known as vertical farming or controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), is a modern agricultural practice that involves growing crops in indoor settings, typically using technology and artificial environmental control to optimize plant growth. Unlike traditional farming, which heavily relies on natural sunlight and open fields, indoor farming takes place within enclosed structures such as greenhouses, warehouses, or converted shipping containers.
Key features and benefits of indoor farming include:
Year-Round Production: With indoor farming, crops can be grown all year round, regardless of seasonal variations or adverse weather conditions. This constant production allows for a stable and reliable supply of fresh produce, reducing the impact of weather-related crop failures and supply chain disruptions.
Space Optimization: Indoor farming maximizes land use efficiency by growing crops vertically, using multiple tiers or racks. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas or regions with limited arable land, where space is at a premium.
Water Efficiency: Indoor farming systems are designed to be highly water-efficient. By using techniques like hydroponics (growing plants in nutrient-rich water without soil) or aeroponics (growing plants in a misty environment), water consumption is significantly reduced compared to conventional farming methods.
Reduced Pesticide Use: In controlled indoor environments, the risk of pests and diseases is reduced. As a result, there is less reliance on chemical pesticides, making indoor farming a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to agriculture.
Energy Savings: While indoor farming requires energy for lighting, climate control, and other operations, advancements in energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting and smart automation, have helped minimize overall energy consumption.
Local and Fresh Produce: Indoor farms can be established closer to urban centers, bringing fresh produce to consumers without the need for extensive transportation. This "farm-to-table" approach reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation and enhances the nutritional value of the harvested crops.
Climate Resilience: Indoor farming offers a buffer against climate change-induced challenges like extreme weather events and shifts in growing seasons. It provides a controlled environment where optimal growing conditions can be maintained regardless of external factors.
Crop Variety: Indoor farming allows for the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and more. By carefully controlling the environment, farmers can create ideal conditions for each crop, leading to higher yields and better-quality produce.
Research and Innovation: Indoor farming serves as a platform for agricultural research and innovation. As scientists and farmers experiment with different techniques and technologies, there is potential for continuous improvement and the development of more sustainable and efficient farming methods.
While indoor farming shows great promise, it is essential to consider its initial setup costs and energy requirements, which can be higher than traditional outdoor farming methods. However, ongoing advancements and increased adoption of this technology are expected to make indoor farming more economically viable and accessible in the future. As a sustainable and scalable agricultural solution, indoor farming plays a vital role in addressing food security challenges and building a more resilient and food-independent future.