NEW YORK, NY – September 17, 2011  – The World Technology Network (“The WTN,” www.wtn.net) announced today that Edward Harwood has been named a finalist for a prestigious World Technology Award for  the Environment, presented by the WTN in association with TIME, Fortune, CNN, Science/AAAS, and Technology Review.   Ed joins a roster of organizations and individuals from over 60 countries around the world deemed to be doing the most innovative and impactful work.

The World Technology Awards have been presented by the WTN since 2000, as a way to honor those in 20 different categories of science and technology and related fields doing “the innovative work of the greatest likely long-term significance.”  Nominees for the 2011 World Technology Awards were selected through an intense process by the WTN Fellows (winners and finalists from previous annual Award cycles in the individual Award categories) through an intensive, global process lasting many months.  Winners will be selected from among the finalists with the input of a select group of prominent Advisors and will be announced in a ceremony at the United Nations.

 The Advisors for 2011 are:

• Ray Kurzweil, inventor/futurist/author
• Albert Teich, Director, Science and Policy Programs, American Association for the Advancement of Science/AAAS (retired, 2011)
• Jason Pontin, Editor/Publisher, Technology Review
• Lev Grossman, Senior Writer and book critic, TIME; co-author TIME.com blog “Techland”
• Oliver Morton (pending), Energy & Environment Editor, The Economist; former Chief News and Features Editor, Nature; Former editor, WIRED (UK edition). 

” I am delighted to have been nominated in the Environment category of the 2011 World Technology Awards.  It is wonderful to be recognized by such an esteemed group of one’s peers.”

 The WTN (www.wtn.net) is a curated membership community comprised of the world’s most innovative individuals and organizations in science, technology, and related fields.  The WTN and its members – those creating the 21^st century — are focused on exploring what is imminent, possible, and important in and around emerging technologies.

The winners of the World Technology Awards will be announced during a ceremony at the United Nations on the evening of October 26th at the close of the World Technology Summit, a two-day “thought leadership” conference (Oct. 25/26) held at the TIME & LIFE Building and presented by the World Technology Network in association with TIME magazine, Fortune, CNN, Science/AAAS, Technology Review, and others.  

 ”This year we are more eager than ever to pay tribute to the talent and innovation of our individual and corporate honorees.” says James P. Clark, Founder and Chairman of the World Technology Network.   “Through the peer-nomination and peer-review process, we uncover the best of the best of the best in science and technology. We discover whose work is going to have the greatest likely impact over time. The World Technology Awards give a snapshot of the amazing science and technology revolutions in process.”   Clark adds,  “The World Technology Awards program is not only a very inspiring way to identify and honor the most innovative people and organizations in the technology world, but it also is a truly disciplined way for the WTN membership to identify those who will formally join them, as individual WTN Fellows or Corporate Members, as part of our global community. By working to make useful connections among our members, we look forward to assisting (Nominee’s name) in continuing to help create our collective future and change our world.”

 About Edward D. Harwood

Ed Harwood is the Founder and CEO of Aero Farm Systems, LLC based in Ithaca, NY.  He has been designing and improving a patent pending aeroponic system for growing leafy greens since 2003.  With assistance from 21Ventures and the Quercus Trust, AFS entered the urban farming movement in 2010.  Ed is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years experience in agriculture and food systems. Ed has twenty years experience in the dairy equipment industry including member of a team that produced the first on farm computer, solid state detacher, estrus detection, and automatic cow ID, and CEO of a North American distributor.  He was general manager of a company that shifted television weather graphics from a minicomputer to microcomputer platform.  He was Associate Director of agriculture for Cornell Cooperative Extension.  He has a B.S. in microbiology and a B.S. and M.S. in animal science from Colorado State University, and a Ph.D. in dairy science from UW-Madison.

 About the World Technology Network (www.wtn.net)

The WTN exists to “encourage serendipity” — the happy accidents of colliding ideas and new relationships that cause the biggest breakthroughs for individuals and institutions. The WTN works to accomplish its mission through global and regional events for its members and extended audience, to help make connections among them, and to examine the likely implications and possible applications of emerging technologies. The WTN is a curated membership community comprised of the world’s most innovative individuals and organizations in science, technology, and related fields – those creating the 21^st Century.

For more information about the World Technology Network, or to attend the WTN Summit and Awards, please contact:

Beth-Ellen Keyes

 Director of Events and Operations

 World Technology Network

 bekeyes@wtn.net,

 1.646.246.1081

11/18/2010  -  AeroFarms delivered an AGL-21 to City MicroFarms in Chicago, IL.  The unit will be used to inform investors, give hands-on experience to City Micro Farms, and provide leafy greens to assess market potential. 

10/21/2010

AeroFarms manufactured an AGL-21 for The DeLeon Group, Inc.   In cooperation with Adawat International, the aeroponic growing unit will be placed on a farm near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  The unit is expected to be operational near the end of the year.

–AeroFarms and EcoVeggies Partner with St. Philip’s Academy to Pioneer Aeroponic Farming in Newark–

Newark, NJ – Sept. 20, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (AeroFarms), a provider of aeroponic technology and solutions, and EcoVeggies urban farm, today announced a joint commercial venture in Newark, New Jersey. EcoVeggies has provided the funding for the installation, AeroFarms developed the urban farming solution and St. Philips Academy has provided the location for the first aeroponic farm system in New Jersey.

Already home to a student run rooftop garden, St. Philip’s Academy has graduated into the future of urban agriculture through a new partnership with EcoVeggies, a company formed by three local entrepreneurs interested in using urban farming as part of a greater plan to revitalize the Newark metropolitan area. The school, which provides subsidized private school education to disadvantaged students in the Newark area, is now home to a one-of-a kind aeroponic growing structure, which will revolutionize the future of farming.

Through the schools much publicized EcoSPACES program, St. Philip’s Academy already uses farming as part of the curriculum, which includes a rooftop garden. There students plant, grow and harvest produce that is used in a Teaching Kitchen and healthy lunch program. Miguel Brito, Head of St. Philip’s Academy, is excited to start the school year off with a new partnership with EcoVeggies and the AeroFarms system. He said “it fits right in with our healthy lunch program, while being a wonderful teaching tool for children to think outside the box in how we grow sustainable food for the future.”

“EcoVeggies’s commitment to the renaissance of Newark was the impetus in locating our company here in Newark and striving to provide the tastiest, freshest, highest quality locally grown greens in town,” said Richard Charles, partner at EcoVeggies. “Our strategic partnership with AeroFarms Systems provides us with the necessary technology to make this happen.”

The partnership between AeroFarms and EcoVeggies is part of a greater plan to revitalize the city of Newark with urban farming as the centerpiece. As farmers markets and community supported agriculture (CSAs) have begun to take root in the Newark area, Agriculture 2.0 companies like AeroFarms and EcoVeggies are sharing resources and knowledge to bring the idea of urban farming into profitable enterprise. Farms like this one have the potential to change the definition of “local produce.” The farm of tomorrow could be in a school, an empty warehouse or distributed throughout an urban area.

“AeroFarms appreciates the opportunity to support the growth of urban agriculture in Newark with a system that grows fresh, safe, local, nutritious and pesticide free leafy greens,” said Ed Harwood, CEO and founder of AeroFarms. “As urban agriculture grows, pioneers like EcoVeggies and St. Philip’s Academy lead the way to address many of the adverse events affecting traditional agriculture: water scarcity, pesticide resistance, increasing fuel costs, more frequent and severe weather events, and persistent safety recalls of leafy greens. AeroFarms systems do this without sun or soil delivering a pristine product.”

What is AeroFarms Systems?

Aeroponics is a cutting-edge type of hydroponic technology that grows plants in a mist without soil or sun, in any location.  The aeroponic mist most efficiently provides roots with the nutrients, hydration and oxygen needed.    AeroFarms has designed its aeroponic system to eliminate nozzle clogging and reduce water consumption through nutrient re-circulation.  Although often categorized as an outgrowth of more conventional hydroponics, aeroponics uses less water and is more efficient than hydroponics. Compared to soil-based and traditional hydroponic methods, aeroponics consumes significantly less water due the system’s closed loop of nutrient application directly to the roots.

AeroFarms is also pioneering the use of LED (light emitting diode) lighting for growing and vertical farming systems, providing the plants with the most ideal amount and variety of lighting for optimal harvest. The controlled environment of the aeroponic farming system allows for a level of precise nurturing unavailable even to conventional or organic growing outdoors. In addition, AeroFarms has developed a proprietary, reusable cloth medium. The system employs cloth as a conveyor for plants from the seeding stage to harvesting. Cloth has a number of benefits such as durability and reusability, increased cleanliness and sanitation, and the efficient harvest of a dry and clean product.

About AeroFarms

AeroFarms provides aeroponic growing systems that grow produce without soil and without sun, all year round and in any location. AeroFarms modular, vertically stackable systems are designed for locating in old or vacant urban buildings, enabling local production of pesticide-free, fresh, clean greens. AeroFarms systems transform food production into a more sustainable, efficient, and safe process by enabling profitable, commercial-scale vertical farming in urban centers. Founded in 2004, AeroFarms is based in Ithaca, NY. More information can be found at http://aerofarms.com.

About EcoVeggies

EcoVeggies takes urban agriculture to a new level with the latest in hydroponic and aeroponic farming. Newark’s latest green endeavor is EcoVeggies, a hydroponic and aeroponic farm that will grow the highest quality, tastiest, pesticide free vegetables (greens) and herbs in eco-friendly spaces that will be constructed inside existing city buildings. Our approach to rehabilitating abandoned, vacated, and unused buildings contributes to the rebuilding of New Jersey’s greatest city by changing the landscape with green, sustainable enterprises and healthy living ingredients for the community.

About St. Philip’s Academy

St. Philip’s Academy is a co-educational independent school based in Newark, New Jersey which provides a first class education to aspiring K-8^th grade students, regardless of their ability to pay tuition. More information can be found by visiting our website at www.stphilipsacademy.org



Ithaca, NY – August 3, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC, a provider of aeroponic technology and solutions, announced today that Dr. Ronald W. Hart has been appointed to the company’s board of directors.  Dr. Hart is an internationally recognized scientist, scholar and expert in business acceleration strategies for emerging growth companies. He serves independently as either a director or strategic advisor to numerous public and private companies, currently including:  Guided Therapeutics, Neogenix, St. Renatus, Ice Energy, Motor Excellence and Therapy Solutions. Previously he has served on the boards of Telescan, First Commercial Bank, Wireless Services and others.

AeroFarms, which develops aeroponic growing systems and vertical farms targeting growers and resellers of produce will benefit from Dr. Hart’s background in science and business acceleration strategies.  The Company has developed aeroponic technology, a cutting-edge subsector of hydroponics that grows produce without soil and without sun, all year round and in any location.  Its modular, vertically stackable systems are designed for locating in old or vacant urban buildings, enabling local production of pesticide-free, fresh, clean greens.    AeroFarms is also poised to announce its first customer in a few weeks.

“Dr. Hart is a most welcome addition to our board with his excellent connections, biological expertise, and business management acumen.” said Ed Harwood, founder and CEO of AeroFarms.  “The addition of Dr. Hart to the AeroFarms board of directors represents industry luminaries and clean technology pioneers.”

“With increased global population and energy and water restrictions, it is apparent that new methods of agriculture must be developed which are both sustainable and prolific,” said Dr. Ronald Hart.  “The Aerofarm technology appears to be one of the few sustainable solutions available to many parts of the developing world.   I am honored to be part of this pioneering venture.”

About AeroFarms

AeroFarms provides aeroponic growing systems that grow produce without soil and without sun, all year round and in any location.  AeroFarms modular, vertically stackable systems are designed for locating in old or vacant urban buildings, enabling local production of pesticide-free, fresh, clean greens.  AeroFarms systems transform food production into a more sustainable, efficient, and safe process by enabling profitable, commercial-scale vertical farming in urban centers.  Founded in 2004, AeroFarms is based in Ithaca, NY.  More information can be found at www.aerofarms.com.

About Dr. Ronald W. Hart

Dr. Hart, who developed the first direct proof that DNA damage was causal to the onset of skin cancer, is an internationally recognized scientist, scholar and expert in business acceleration strategies for emerging growth companies. He is the former Chief Scientist and Executive Director of the FDA’s National Center for Toxicology Research and was the first person in the history of the FDA to be named “distinguished scientist in residence.” In addition, he was a co-author of the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 and co-chair of the Interdepartmental Committee on Technology Transfer for the United States government. Dr. Hart has received over two dozen national and international awards and recognitions for his managerial and scientific contributions, including the Karl August Forester Preis from the German Academy of Science and Literature, and the Bose Medal from the Bose Institute of India.  In policy development, Dr. Hart has chaired the White House Committee on Formaldehyde, the Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health and Related Issues, the White House Task Force on Agent Orange and the White House committee on Chemical Carcinogenesis, among others.  Dr. Hart has served on the boards and advisory committees of both the National Academy of Science-USA (NAS) and the White House, including as Chairman of the NAS Committee on Indoor Air and the NAS Board on Toxicology and Environmental Health.  Dr. Hart also sits on the Board of Directors of SNTech.  Dr. Hart received his Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics from the University of Illinois in 1971.

Press Contact

David Andrew Goldman

Expansion Media

(646) 335- 0268

david@expansionmedia.net

ITHACA, NY, – June 28, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (www.aerofarms.com) announced today that it has been won Red Herring’s North America 100 award, in recognition of the leading private companies from North America, celebrating these startups’ innovations and technologies across their respective industries.

Red Herring’s Top 100 North America list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising new companies and entrepreneurs. Red Herring editors were among the first to recognize that companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay would change the way we live and work.

“Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. “After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across North America to the Top 100 Winners. We believe AeroFarms embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. AeroFarms should be proud of its accomplishment, as the competition was very strong.”

Red Herring’s editorial staff evaluated the companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track record and standing of startups relative to their sector peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the “buzz” and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models in North America.

“AeroFarms appreciates the recognition from Red Herring and the attention that aeroponic farming has been receiving in the media,” said Ed Harwood, AeroFarms founder and CEO. “We believe that we’re solving some of the biggest problems facing the world – the lack of arable land and water, and concern over food safety and security.”

About AeroFarms

AeroFarms provides aeroponic growing systems that grow produce without soil and without sun, all year round and in any location.  AeroFarms modular, vertically stackable systems are designed for locating in old or vacant urban buildings, enabling local production of pesticide-free, fresh, clean greens.  AeroFarms systems transform food production into a more sustainable, efficient, and safe process by enabling profitable, commercial-scale vertical farming in urban centers.  Founded in 2004, AeroFarms is based in Ithaca, NY.  More information can be found at www.aerofarms.com.

Ithaca, NY – March 23, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (www.aerofarms.com), a provider of aeroponic technology and aeroponic solutions, in collaboration with Cornell University’s Department of Horticulture and The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, announced today the acquisition of a first-of-its-kind scientific instrument for testing the application of artificial lighting to plants. The announcement was made from the NCERA-101 Committee of Controlled Environment Technology and Use at the University of Wisconsin where Dr. Ed Harwood, founder and CEO of AeroFarms, presented the planned use for the new device.

(more…)

Ithaca, NY – February 8, 2010 – Aero Farm Systems LLC (“AeroFarms”, the “Company”), a provider of aeroponic technology and solutions, announced today that it has secured $500,000 in seed financing.  The round was led by The Quercus Trust of Newport Beach, CA, with co-investor 21Ventures LLC, a New York-based venture capital firm.  The Company has developed aeroponic technology, a cutting-edge subsector of hydroponics, that grows produce without soil and without sun, all year round and in any location.  Its modular, vertically stackable systems are designed for locating in old or vacant urban buildings, enabling local production of pesticide-free, fresh, clean greens. (more…)