via www.youtube.com
I visited the Science Barge when it was berthed on the Hudson River in Manhattan. There were five EarthBoxes in front of the hydroponics greenhouse. They were never mentioned on the tour and when questioned the reply from the guide was rather evasive. I now understand their hidden agenda was the launching of a hydroponics business. Their bias should not have been a part of the presentation.
The barge is now berthed further up the Hudson in Yonkers. I'm happy to see that the EarthBoxes now appear to be a part of the mix of food production methods that GroundWork (the new owner) demonstrates. I'm looking forward to visiting again next summer. All of the methods in use have significant potential for the future of urban agriculture.
The Science Barge is a prototype sustainable urban farm developed by NY Sun Works and acquired by Groundwork Hudson Valley in October, 2008 to be operated as an environmental education center. The Science Barge greenhouse, floating on the Hudson River, grows an abundance of fresh produce including tomatoes, melons, greens, and lettuce with zero net carbon emissions, zero pesticides, and zero runoff. All of the energy needed to power the Barge is generated by solar panels, wind turbines, and biofuels while the hydroponic greenhouse is irrigated solely by collected rainwater and purified river water, thus operating completely “off the grid.” It is the only fully functioning demonstration of renewable energy supporting sustainable food production in New York. It is now docked in downtown Yonkers just North of the Yonkers Pier.