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A visit to April Sun Farms, Melbourne

Darren Nichol and Ty Dickson, founders of April Sun Farms
Darren Nichol and Ty Dickson, founders of April Sun Farms
Some clients want their produce grown in pots so they can cut it whenever they wish, like these microgreens 
Some clients want their produce grown in pots so they can cut it whenever they wish, like these microgreens 
April Sun Farms' packaging for B2B 
April Sun Farms' packaging for B2B 
Using a mix of coir and perlite as substrate, adjusted for specific crops, the farm grows 24 crop varieties, including leafy greens, edible flowers, and 12 tomato varieties.
Using a mix of coir and perlite as substrate, adjusted for specific crops, the farm grows 24 crop varieties, including leafy greens, edible flowers, and 12 tomato varieties.
Basil in pots 
Basil in pots 
The growing media is reused and repurposed for landscaping applications
The growing media is reused and repurposed for landscaping applications
"With two different systems deployed in this farm, our first-generation system allowed us to grow beautiful products"
"With two different systems deployed in this farm, our first-generation system allowed us to grow beautiful products"
Mainly operating as a pre-wholesaler, April Sun sells produce below market prices to maintain competitiveness, and ensure crop sales
Mainly operating as a pre-wholesaler, April Sun sells produce below market prices to maintain competitiveness, and ensure crop sales
Edible flowers, a favorite
Edible flowers, a favorite
The system integrates biological pest control, energy-efficient lighting, and efficient energy usage 
The system integrates biological pest control, energy-efficient lighting, and efficient energy usage 
The growing media is reused and repurposed for landscaping applications
The growing media is reused and repurposed for landscaping applications
Darren and Ty: "If we can't scale across borders, we won't achieve what we're aiming for"
Darren and Ty: "If we can't scale across borders, we won't achieve what we're aiming for"
There's a big preference for microgreens from customers
There's a big preference for microgreens from customers
Red vein sorrel
Red vein sorrel
April Sun's expansion will include the upgraded system that has shown to increase crop density by 50% while using 33% less electricity in the same physical space
April Sun's expansion will include the upgraded system that has shown to increase crop density by 50% while using 33% less electricity in the same physical space
Edible flowers 
Edible flowers 
Continual and progressive development of their lighting system has significantly improved energy efficiency, from 96 watts per square meter to just 47 watts per square meter, while delivering more than 250 micromoles per m2 at the substrate level.
Continual and progressive development of their lighting system has significantly improved energy efficiency, from 96 watts per square meter to just 47 watts per square meter, while delivering more than 250 micromoles per m2 at the substrate level.
The team experimented with potted lettuce for the holiday season 
The team experimented with potted lettuce for the holiday season 
April Sun Farms is experimenting with various varieties and flavors based on order requests 
April Sun Farms is experimenting with various varieties and flavors based on order requests 
This batch will be sent to a restaurant based in Melbourne
This batch will be sent to a restaurant based in Melbourne