It s a fresh new world

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Neil Hopkins
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Consumer Frequently Asked Questions Urban Cultivator 101 1. What is an Urban Cultivator? 3 2. Why should consumers purchase an Urban Cultivator? 3 3. What is Urban Cultivator s mission? 3 4.

2 Consumer Frequently Asked Questions Urban Cultivator What is an Urban Cultivator? 3 2. Why should consumers purchase an Urban Cultivator? 3 3. What is Urban Cultivator s mission? 3 4. What is so different about this product? 3 5. Where is the Urban Cultivator manufactured? 3 6. Why did we decide to develop the Urban Cultivator? 4 Urban Cultivator Residential What does the base Residential model come with? 4 2. What are the customizable options? 4 Pricing, Purchase & Delivery 1. What is the return on investment? 5 2. Is this cost-effective for a restaurateur? 5 3. How much would I be saving? 6 4. How long does it take to deliver? 6 Urban Cultivator Set-up, Safety & Energy Usage 1. How do I install the Urban Cultivator in my kitchen? 6 2. Are the lights used for the Urban Cultivator safe? 6 3. How are the greens healthy if they are grown in an enclosed space? 7 4. How energy efficient is the Urban Cultivator? 7 5. How much will a Residential model cost me in hydro per month/year? 7 6. How much will a Commercial model cost me in hydro per month/year? 7 7. How much water does the Urban Cultivator use? 8 Growing Your Own Greens 1. How many hours a week do I need to spend gardening? 8 2. How long does it take for the greens to grow? 8 3. What other ways can I use this product? 8 4. Can I use regular seeds that I buy at a gardening store? 9 5. How many different types of herbs and greens can I grow in an Urban Cultivator? 9 6. Where are your seeds sourced? Are they local? Organic? 9 7. Are there any recipes you could provide that use the herbs grown in Urban Cultivators? 10 Environment & Sustainability 1. What are the ecological benefits of growing my own herbs and greens? 11 2

3 Urban Cultivator What is an Urban Cultivator? Think of an Urban Cultivator as an indoor garden with an edge. Its automated controls make it easy to grow a wide variety of the freshest, organic herbs, and microgreens year round in the perfect conditions. It s an innovative appliance that comes in two sizes the Residential model is about the size of a dishwasher, and the larger Commercial model is the size of a commercial refrigerator, ideal for restaurants and commercial use. 2. Why should consumers purchase an Urban Cultivator? An Urban Cultivator allows families to have an indoor garden in their very own kitchen that provides the freshest, organically grown herbs and greens year-round! This means no pesticides, no food waste, and no travel time. An Urban Cultivator gives you peace of mind because you know exactly what your family is eating and how it was grown. It s the ultimate zero-mile diet. 3. What is Urban Cultivator s mission? Our mission is to support the locavore movement. We re providing people with a brand new way to start growing and taking control of what they eat. Our aim is to actively correct the flawed mass-produced food system, minimize our carbon footprint, and provide people the opportunity to take an active hand in providing their families with the healthiest and freshest food no matter where they live. 4. What is so different about this product? Aren t people already doing this on balconies, windowsills, greenhouses and gardens? The Urban Cultivator gives homeowners the opportunity to grow 365 days a year! In many places, there are vast climate changes that make growing outside year-round nearly impossible. Because an Urban Cultivator is fully automated, you don t need to worry about external factors such as temperature, water, or lighting, which are determinate factors with more traditional growing options. Our Residential model also allows you to maximize the amount of greens you can grow in a minimal space. 5. Where is the Urban Cultivator manufactured? Both the Residential and Commercial models are manufactured in China. Consumables, including seeds and plant foods, are manufactured in Canada. 3

4 6. Why did we decide to develop the Urban Cultivator? The genesis of Urban Cultivator is rooted in both professional and personal experiences. Founder Tarren Wolfe s wife s food allergies were the catalyst for the couple to begin growing their own greens, which were better for her strict diet. This, coupled with the founders knowledge in manufacturing hydroponic systems, spawned the idea to apply their background and experiences toward developing an appliance that could grow microgreens and herbs. Today, Urban Cultivator is at the forefront of the locavore movement and supports societies growing appetite for becoming consciously aware of what that they eat, while minimizing the impact that transported food has on their environment. Urban Cultivator Residential What does the base Residential model come with? The base model comes with the following: i. Castor wheels (or) adjustable legs ii. Choice of the door handle placement (left or right) iii. Stand alone or city water hook up iv. Organic nutrients v. Four grow flats vi. Four humidity domes vii. Selection of up to four plants from over 30 varieties of herbs and greens (each selection is equal to 4-6 flats worth of seeds) to get you started. 2. What are the options available for me to customize my Urban Cultivator Residential model? The Urban Cultivator Residential model can be customized to match both your design aesthetic and functional requirements, and comes with the following options: i. With or without a butcher block countertop 1. Countertops are between $150 and $350 depending on which wood option is chosen ii. Water set-up iii. Door transparency options 4

5 Pricing, Purchase & Delivery The two main configurations for the Residential model are: i. It can come with or without a butcher block countertop - you decide how you want it to fit into your existing kitchen. *For those who want to simply slidein their cultivator, the latter is the perfect fit. ( kitchen-cultivator/ ) ii. It can also be configured to have a stand-alone or city water hook-up. The city water hook-up allows you to connect the unit to your existing water line so it will automate the exchange and top-up of the water reservoir, which feeds your plants. This hook-up requires water in and out, just like a dishwasher. iii. The door handle can be on the right or the left. iv. Castors or adjustable feet (for countertop model only) There are six (6) butcher block countertop options for the Residential model: o Maple o Cherry o Stainless steel o Oak o Walnut o Mixed wood There are four door options for the Residential model: o Clear glass o Half tone tint o Dark tone tint o Frosted 1. What is the return-on-investment? The return-on-investment for the Urban Cultivator outweighs initial costs. The Residential model produces approximately $1,000 worth of herbs and greens per year, so it will pay for itself in approximately two (2) years. Not only does it allow you and your family to enjoy fresh cut, organic greens year-round, you ll also save thousands of dollars over the years on grocery store-bought herbs and greens. 2. Is this cost effective for a restauranteur? The Commercial model is cost effective for a restauranteur. If a restauranteur is planning to grow fast turn-around greens, and is used to paying $20-$30 per flat, each UC-C can save them up to $18,000/year, which means the UC-C pays for itself in approx. one year. Having a commercial model in a restaurant can save the owner anywhere from $400- $1,500/month. 5

6 Restaurants typically go through flats of greens rather quickly throughout a week. Having a Commercial model means eliminating costs, waste by spoiled greens, and maximizing productivity in their kitchens. 3. How much would I be saving? Aside from the number of health benefits of growing your own herbs and greens, there are cost benefits as well. The long-term savings of purchasing a Cultivator outweighs the initial and operational costs, paying for itself in under a year (depending on usage). 4. How long does it take to deliver? We ship every two weeks. Your ship date is dependent on how many orders there are at that given time and the day you place your order. When you order your Cultivator, we ll provide you with an estimated shipping date. The Urban Cultivator is delivered by an independent shipping company and can be delivered anywhere in North America within two to 14 days. Both the Residential and Commercial models come fully assembled and preprogrammed. Certain components such as the lights and the flats need to be positioned in the unit, and we provide an installation manual with step-by-step instructions. Urban Cultivator Set-up, Safety & Energy Usage 1. How do I install the Urban Cultivator in my kitchen? Is it a big job? The Residential model is easy to install. It is a standard size appliance, about the size of a dishwasher and has the same basic requirements. Each Residential model plugs in to any standard 110 volt or 220 volt outlet. If you selected the city water hook-up, then the plumbing work should be done by a certified professional. Your Cultivator will come with detailed installation instructions. If you have any questions you can contact our toll-free number at , seven days a week, to speak to someone at Urban Cultivator directly. 2. Are the lights used for the Urban Cultivator safe? How does it compare to sunlight? Yes, the lights are safe. They are standard CSA approved, plant rated, fluorescent bulbs. The fluorescent bulbs are plant rated which means they have a blue tint to emulate spring in nature, which encourages a faster growth. 6

7 When it comes to lighting, we use T5 Fluorescent Lighting Technology. T5 adaptor technology is an alternative technology that replaces old inefficient lighting and is an energy-efficient measure to cut energy use in lighting by more than 65% Is it better to grow in an enclosed space? Vegetables have been grown indoors for hundreds of years. The Urban Cultivator provides constant airflow to guard against stagnant air. There are many benefits of growing indoors. As with all gardening, there is still a chance for human error. If humidity domes are left on too long or a user is manually watering too frequently, then this can cause problems for the plants. Spraying a hydrogen peroxide and water solution on the plants is a safe way for users to battle mildew. We also recommend users wash all their greens before consumption. 4. How energy efficient is Urban Cultivator? The pumps inside an Urban Cultivator Commercial model runs for only five minutes every three to five days, making energy consumption quite minimal. In addition, the Urban Cultivator Residential model (the model available for your kitchen), uses 91 watts at 126 hours per week, which is 208 kwh per year. That s less energy than a microwave. We re currently working on energy consumption comparisons with University of British Columbia, and we ll be happy to share the results from that study with you once it becomes available. 5. How much will a Residential model cost me in hydro per month/year? Our Cultivators are very power efficient. It depends on how much your local hydro utility rate is per kwh. The Residential model uses a maximum draw of 1.21 amps and a monthly power use average of 18 kwh. The Urban Cultivator Residential model uses less energy per month than a standard microwave. 6. How much will a Commercial model cost me in hydro per month/year? The Commercial model uses a maximum draw of 4.56 amps and a monthly power use average of 65 kwh. 7

8 7. How much water does the Urban Cultivator use? Growing Your Own Greens The total amount of water all depends on what you are planting and how much you plant The Urban Cultivator Residential model uses approximately 20 litres of water a week to refill and clean the reservoir. The Urban Cultivator Commercial model uses approximately 125 litres a week to refill and clean the reservoir. In comparison, a dishwasher uses 22 to 38 litres per wash, and the average person uses 125,000 litres of water per year. 1. How many hours a week do I need to spend gardening in order to have a continuous supply of microgreens and herbs? Residential users should expect to do minutes of planting, feeding and maintenance a week to maintain a continuous supply of greens. Commercial users should expect to do about an hour of planting, feeding and maintenance a week to maintain a continuous supply of greens. Still have questions? Our growing experts are waiting to hear from you. Contact our toll-free number at , seven days a week, to speak to someone at Urban Cultivator directly. Online? Try the chat option on our website and connect to someone who can help answer all your questions: 2. How long does it take for the greens to grow? We provide a list in our catalog of the lengths of time it takes for a flat to grow to full potential. You can expect 1-4 pounds per flat of greens between five to 60 days, depending on what green you are growing. 3. What other ways can I use this product? Can I grow anything other than herbs and greens in the Cultivator? You can use the Urban Cultivator to start your annual or perennial flowers early, and you can also can grow edible mushrooms. Some varieties of tomatoes and peppers are also able to grow in the Cultivator. 8

9 There are also many edible flowers that the Urban Cultivator has the capacity to grow. Still have questions? Our growing experts are waiting to hear from you. Contact our toll-free number at , seven days a week, to speak to someone at Urban Cultivator directly. Online? Try the chat option on our website and connect to someone who can help answer all your questions: 4. Can I use regular seeds that I buy at a gardening store or do I have to buy them from Urban Cultivator? It is more affordable to buy seeds from Urban Cultivator. You can use seed bought from your local garden store but it is seasonal and expensive. They are usually only available for purchase in the spring and summer months and can be from $2 to $7 per package. Because we sow heavier, this usually means two to 10 of these packages are needed per flat. We have trialled hundreds of varieties of seeds and selected the best varieties specifically suited to optimally grow in the Cultivators. We ensure superior germination, performance, and flavor with all of our Urban Cultivator seeds. 5. How many different types of herbs and greens can I grow in an Urban Cultivator? The options are limitless. Over the years, we have trialled hundreds of seeds. If there is something that you don t see on our website list, please inform us and we will do our best to source it to you. Still have questions? Our growing experts are waiting to hear from you. Contact our toll-free number at , seven days a week, to speak to someone at Urban Cultivator directly. Online? Try the chat option on our website and connect to someone who can help answer all your questions: 6. Where are your seeds sourced? Are they local? Organic? We only purchase and provide our customers with non-gmo, organic seeds. We also test them rigorously to ensure that they exceed sanitation and contamination standards, and the varieties we offer are carefully and specifically selected for Urban Cultivator appliances. 9

10 7. Are there any recipes you could provide that use the herbs grown in Urban Cultivators? Executive Chef Ned Bell of YEW restaurant + bar, located in the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, is our Corporate Chef and has provided some recipes found on our website. His relentless efforts in creating globally inspired dishes crafted with locally grown ingredients makes him the perfect fit as Urban Cultivator s exclusive Corporate Chef. Chef Ned will continuously provide seasonal recipes using herbs and produce that can be grown in the Urban Cultivator to our customers on our website: Chef Ned s Sweet, Salty, Nutty and Fruity Cranberry Hazelnut Honey Balsamic Salad For the Salad Artisan lettuce, pea tendrils, beat tops, arugula, kale microgreens, locally grown and roasted hazelnuts, locally grown cranberries, Chef Ned s Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing For the Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette: Ingredients: 4 cups canola oil 2 cup balsamic vinegar 1 cup honey 4 tbsp sea salt 3 tbsp cracked black pepper Method: Puree everything in a blender. Check for seasoning and adjust with sea salt and pepper to taste. Additional Applications: This dressing is great on any mixed greens or lettuces. It is also a great dip for vegetables or fruits (apples, pears melon). Try it with a warm potato salad, mixed bean salad, green beans, asparagus or your favourite pasta salad or cooked quinoa. Serve with dried cranberries and toasted hazelnuts sprinkled on top. Enjoy! 10

11 The Tonic Temple Raw Shake Ingredients: Orange juice, coconut water, banana, local yogurt, your choice of four (4) microgreens. Tip: Chef Ned suggests using a diverse list of microgreens that have different medicinal and nutritional qualities such as wheat grass, pea tendrils, flax, and kale. The Green Machine Raw Shake Ingredients: Grapefruit juice, aloe water, local apples (only when in season), local yogurt, your choice of four (4) micro greens. Tip: Chef Ned suggests using a diverse list of microgreens that have different medicinal and nutritional qualities such as wheat grass, pea tendrils, flax, and kale. Environment & Sustainability 1. What are the ecological benefits of growing my own herbs and greens? In North America, over 16% of energy consumed is attributed to the food system, and most food travels more than 1500 miles from farm to fork. Part of the reason we developed Urban Cultivator was to do our part to reduce the food miles used by consumers and companies thus reducing our carbon footprint. When thinking of the local movement we must consider what truly goes into bringing food to your table. Consider all the gas required to run tractors, the energy it takes to a run a farm, and then the gas it takes to bring that food to your grocer, especially when food needs to be shipped in refrigerator trucks. By the time the food gets where it needs to be, a lot of energy has been consumed. In terms of cost for production, 250 lbs of herbs and microgreens can be harvested per year in one Commercial unit and you re looking at.05 cents per pound for energy costs add soil and seed and you re looking at only $2 to $3 per lb. And living greens usually means double the nutrient value of pre-cut greens there s a lot of added benefit there! 11

12 One of the hardest things about maintaining a garden in many regions is the vast change in the weather. Harsh climates can spoil crops in an instant. Urban Cultivator allows you to always control your growing environment. Some regions also require more water usage than other areas, but with Urban Cultivator, the environment is regulated and requires the same amount of water regardless of location. In addition to that, transporation time removes nutrition by the time it hits the store, then the shelf, then to your table. Through growing your own, you are getting optimal nutritional levels. 12

Do you know all the benefits of growing your own food?

Product Guide Do you know all the benefits of growing your own food? Eating locally has received a lot of publicity lately, but why should you care? Eating locally through growing your own might have obvious