Building Farms for the Future: Turning Data into Knowledge

This is a multi-part series. Read Building Farms for the Future: Introduction and Creating Our Own Seasons.

By Alex Coonrod, Manager, Jubilee Farms

Every Farm Has A Story. 

A farmer can walk through a field and notice when something looks different. They can see a change in leaf color, recognize when a plant is under stress, or identify when something is not growing the way it should. This knowledge comes from years of observation, experience, and learning from every growing cycle. 

For generations, farming knowledge has been passed from one farmer to another through experience. The future of farming will not replace that knowledge. It will preserve it, expand it, and make it more powerful. 

One of the greatest advantages of modern agriculture is the ability to collect and understand information. In a controlled environment agriculture system, data becomes the memory of the farm. It allows us to understand not only what happened, but why it happened. 

The Digital Farm.

At Jubilee Farms, we are building a system that uses technology to collect information throughout the entire growing process. This information will allow us to make better decisions, improve efficiency, reduce waste, and continuously refine our growing methods. 

But data collection is not about collecting numbers for the sake of collecting numbers. Every piece of information should have value and answer a question: 

• How did the plants respond to a specific environment?

• Why did one crop perform better than another?

• What conditions produced the healthiest plants?

• Where did bottlenecks occur in our process?

• How can we improve the next growing cycle?

Technology with a Human Touch.

A simple way to understand the importance of data is to think about baking bread. Imagine a baker creates the perfect loaf but does not write down the recipe. They remember the ingredients, but not the exact measurements. They remember the temperature, but not the exact baking time. The next loaf may turn out close to the first, but it may never be exactly the same. Farming works the same way. Without data, we rely primarily on memory and observation. With data, we can understand exactly what happened, repeat what worked, and adjust what did not. 

A modern farm collects information from many different areas. Environmental data helps us understand the conditions surrounding plants, including temperature, humidity, lighting, air movement, and other factors that influence growth. Water and nutrient data help us understand how plants are being fed and whether they are receiving the resources they need. Production data helps us measure efficiency, including seeding rates, growth cycles, harvest weights, quality, and overall crop performance. This information allows us to identify patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed. 

For example, if one crop cycle produces a higher yield than another, data can help us determine why. Was the temperature more consistent? Were nutrient levels maintained more effectively? Did the plants experience less stress during a specific stage of growth? Instead of guessing, we can make decisions based on evidence. 

Data also allows us to identify problems before they become major challenges. If a growing area begins using more water than expected, if harvest times begin increasing, or if plant growth starts slowing down, the information can help us locate the cause. Small adjustments made early can prevent larger problems later. 

Technology can tell us what is happening, but farmers help explain why it is happening. Observations about plant appearance, growth patterns, challenges, and successes provide valuable information that cannot always be captured by a sensor. The combination of human experience and technology creates a more complete understanding of the farm. This is how we turn information into knowledge.

How Will We Use Data?

At Jubilee Farms, we will use digital farm management tools to organize this information and help streamline our operations. Instead of relying on scattered notes, memory, or disconnected systems, we can create a centralized location where important information about our crops, processes, and performance can be tracked over time. 

The purpose of this system is not simply record keeping. The purpose is improvement. When we understand our processes, we can identify bottlenecks, determine where resources are being used, and discover opportunities to improve. A farm is a complex living system, and even small improvements in one area can create significant improvements throughout the entire operation. 

The future farm will not simply grow food. It will learn from every harvest. Every seed planted, every harvest completed, and every problem solved becomes part of a larger understanding of how to grow better crops. 

At Jubilee Farms, our goal is to create more than a place where food is produced. We are building a system that can adapt, improve, and continue evolving. By combining the knowledge of experienced farmers with the power of technology, we can create a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient model for urban agriculture. 

Data is not replacing the farmer; It is giving them a clearer view of the farm.