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question:Can you tell me more about the founders of The Office for Creative Research and their backgrounds?
answer:Yes, The Office for Creative Research was founded in 2013 by Mark Hansen, Ben Rubin, and Jer Thorp. Here is some background on each of them: 1. Mark Hansen is a professor of statistics and data science at the University of California, Los Angeles, with a research focus on the intersection of art, technology, and data. He has co-authored several books on the topic, including "Data Science for the Humanities" and "Emergence and Embodiment: New Essays on Second-Order Systems Theory." 2. Ben Rubin is an artist and designer who has worked on a wide range of projects, including interactive installations, data visualizations, and mobile apps. He founded the design firm Ear Studio and has collaborated with institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Times. 3. Jer Thorp is a data artist who has worked on projects ranging from data visualization to generative music. He previously worked as the data artist-in-residence at the New York Times and has given talks and workshops on data art and design around the world. Together, Hansen, Rubin, and Thorp brought a unique blend of expertise in data science, art, and design to The Office for Creative Research, allowing them to create innovative and impactful projects that pushed the boundaries of what data could be used to achieve.
question:"Controlled environments are the future of growing food," proclaimed businessman Bernie Karl at a meeting of the Committee on Controlled Environment Technology and Use April 12-15 at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Meeting participants, hailing from the U.S., Canada, Finland and Sweden, heartily agreed. NCERA-101 participants paused for a group photo at Chena Hot Springs Resort. NCERA-101 is composed of an eclectic balance of academic researchers and extension personnel, graduate students, companies supporting controlled environment agriculture research by offering facilities, equipment and technical services, plus researchers and administrators from federal agencies such as NIFA (National Institutes of Food and Agriculture) and NASA. UAF Professor Meriam Karlsson headed up the planning committee for the meeting and was elected chair during the proceedings. Following the annual business meeting, participants heard reports from researchers representing their agricultural experiment stations. Scientific posters and industry exhibits were on display throughout the three-day event. Professor Meriam Karlsson, at right, accepts the chairmanship of the Committee on Controlled Environment Technology and Use. It was passed on by Henry Imberti of Percival Scientific Co., Perry, Iowa, at left. While at Chena Hot Springs Resort, NCERA-101 participants were treated to tours of the power plant, greenhouse and ice museum. The final day found the group in Fairbanks at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, UAF greenhouses and the Reindeer Research Program at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm. The finale was an Alaska-grown meal at Pike's Waterfront Lodge where Chef Jeffrey Brooks prepared locally grown reindeer, vegetables and salad, along with rhubarb and blueberry pies baked by volunteer Susan Risse. Past organizers have stated that the informal, friendly nature of NCERA is conducive to information exchange, learning and network building. Graduate students submitting posters were, from left, Jacob Nelson (Utah State University), Garrett Owen (Purdue University), Celina Gomez (Purdue University) and William Meng (Michigan State University). Meng took first place. See also "NCERA-101: Controlled environment technology and use" Can you summarize the main points discussed at the NCERA-101 meeting on controlled environment technology and use?
answer:At the NCERA-101 meeting on controlled environment technology and use, attendees from the US, Canada, Finland, and Sweden agreed that controlled environments are the future of growing food. The group consisted of academic researchers, extension personnel, graduate students, companies supporting controlled environment agriculture research, and federal agency researchers and administrators. Reports were presented by researchers from agricultural experiment stations, and scientific posters and industry exhibits were on display. The group also visited the power plant, greenhouse, ice museum, and Fairbanks Experiment Farm where they dined on an Alaska-grown meal at Pike's Waterfront Lodge. The conference was noted for its informal, friendly nature, conducive to information exchange, learning, and networking.
question:Can you provide some examples of the types of controlled environments that were discussed at the NCERA-101 meeting?
answer:The NCERA-101 meeting discussed various types of controlled environments for agriculture, including greenhouses, vertical farms, and aquaponics systems. These systems can be used to grow a variety of crops, including lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs, in a controlled environment that allows for precise control of temperature, humidity, light, and nutrient availability. Additionally, participants discussed the use of LED lighting and other innovative technologies in controlled environment agriculture to optimize plant growth and yield. The potential benefits of using controlled environments for agriculture include year-round production, increased crop yields, reduced water use, and improved food safety.
question:Can you provide some more details about the Alaska-grown meal that the NCERA-101 participants had at Pike's Waterfront Lodge?
answer:The Alaska-grown meal that the NCERA-101 participants had at Pike's Waterfront Lodge consisted of locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and meats. Chef Jeffrey Brooks prepared the meal, which featured reindeer meat as the main course, along with vegetables and salad grown using hydroponic and aquaponic systems. The meal also included rhubarb and blueberry pies baked by volunteer Susan Risse using locally grown fruit. The use of locally sourced ingredients highlighted the potential benefits of controlled environment agriculture in Alaska, where the growing season is short and the climate is challenging for traditional farming methods.