Strawberries in Winter

Tomatoes I, 2012

In order to have total control over the nutrients and the irrigation, tomatoes are planted in sterile material such as rock wool and not in soil. By doing so the tomatoes are according to the growers less likely infected by diseases, a smaller amount of pesticides is needed and the yield can be increased.

Lettuce, 2011

Lettuce is grown in a stacking system to provide a maximum use of space. Plants grow inside of plastic trays without soil. A conveyer belt is moving the plants to ensure they get all round sunlight. The whole growing process is computer controlled. The system currently produces around 112 lettuces per square metre, on a 3m high system.

Cress, 2011

Cress, tomatoes, cucumbers, or lettuce are grown in closed systems just with LED lights. There is no sunlight and no direct exchange of air with the outside. Day and night, summer and winter stop existing. Humans are able to determine the shape, taste and colour of plants and fruits. They can be grown anywhere from the desert to inside of restaurants and supermarkets.

Tomato Vines, 2012

Pear Orchard I, 2011

In the early stages of growth the pear tree is split into two equally strong central leaders, which are trained up wires. This allows the tree to produce a much heavier crop, much earlier in the life of the orchard, compared to conventional planting.

Raspberry Field, 2012

Berry Field, 2013

Polytunnels protect berries from rain, strong winds and bright sunlight. Temperature, humidity and ventilation can be controlled by equipment fixed in the polytunnels.

Strawberry Field, 2012

A plastic film prevents weed growth and erosion. Fleece protects strawberries from frost, which allows to plant and harvest them at times usually considered off season.

Pear Orchard II, 2011

A high density pear orchard is expensive to plant, but it increases the amount of fruits produced per square meter. More water is needed for the trees - rainwater is not enough and an irrigation system has to be included at the planting stage.

Apple Tree, 2011

Modern apple growers use apple varieties that are grafted onto Dwarfing Rootstocks. Developed at a research station in the UK these rootstocks reduce the tree size, but not the size of the fruit or the amount of fruits harvested. The trees need less water and less space than traditional apple trees, which makes high density planting possible. The fruits are more accessible and easier to pick, because the trees are smaller.

Eggplants, 2012

A computer manages precisely the irrigation, the nutrients given to the plants and also the climate inside the green house. Automatically windows open, sunscreens move and waste, water and nutrients are collected, purified, and recycled.

Tomatoes II, 2011

In order to consume locally grown tomatoes in countries such as the UK or Germany, the tomatoes need to be produced in heated greenhouses. Locally grown tomatoes allow shorter distribution ways. To produce in more sustainable ways and to keep the cost of energy low the green house above is heated by the waste heat from a near by nuclear power station.

Strawberries II, 2012

Strawberry crops are grown on table top raised beds. The table top system makes it easier to pick the fruits and eases the weed and pest control. A leaf and sap analysis determines the nutrient’s compound, which is fed with the irrigation water. To accelerate the growth of the plants, growers above add CO2 from a close by Shell refinery.

Tomato Plants, 2013

Milking Parlour, 2012

Two people are needed to milk twice a day 300 cows.

Milking Robot I, 2012

One milking robot milks three times per day 60 cows. The cows are in a stable, in which they can move around freely. They can use the robot whenever they need to. No human needs to be present.

Milking Carousel, 2011

Mushrooms, 2012

To allow an all year round production of mushrooms and to increase the yield, mushrooms are grown in a microclimate inside growing rooms. A stacking system maximizes the production per square meter.

Chicken, 2011

Since the mid 1990s the consumption of chicken has increased by 75 percent worldwide. Chicken are often reared in barns. One chicken barn has the capacity to rear 50.000 chickens.

Chicken Barn, 2011

The chickens live for a period of 42 days. After 42 days they achieve the desired weight for slaughtering. They are brought to the nearby processing plant. The chicken barn gets cleaned and disinfected, ready for the new chicks to come.

Chicken Settlement, 2011

There are up to 16 barns in one location, which allows one settlement to rear around 800.000 chickens simultaneously. Eight people are needed per shift to cater for 800.000 chickens and to keep the facility running.

Greenhouse Roofs, 2013

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Humans have cultivated the earth since thousands of years. At present about 40 percent of the world is farmland and used for agriculture.

The expectations on agriculture are today high and complex. Supermarkets and consumers demand increasingly lower prices, a higher quality and a better look of products. Fruits, vegetables and meat are to be of perfect colour, size, shape and taste. They should be available all year long, and ideally, be locally grown.
To remain competitive in a globalized market and to feed a growing population, farmers need to produce more on the same amount of land, without damaging the environment. They are advised to use the newest science and the latest technology.
As a result farms become bigger, more technical and highly computerized. Day and night, summer and winter, geographical locations slowly become insignificant. Not just plants, crops, fields and farms continue to change their appearance, but also the whole landscape of rural areas.
It is said that Agriculture has changed in the last 40 years more than in 400 years. In Strawberries in Winter, I set off to document the emerging landscape.

Project Info