In the rapidly evolving world of controlled environment agriculture, Agrowtek was one of the first cannabis-only provider of climate control and fertigation solutions. With deep roots in the cannabis industry, the company has leveraged its experience to support both small and large cultivators, expanding into vertical farming and other innovative agricultural practices.
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Founded 18 years ago, Agrowtek was established when the cannabis market first became legal. "Unlike competitors who hesitated on the sidelines, Agrowtek dove headfirst into the industry," Mike Sacomano, founder of Agrowtek, points out. "This early entry allowed us to design purpose-built systems tailored specifically for cannabis cultivation." This was quite unique, according to Mike, as most suppliers that stepped into cannabis were simply adapting solutions from other industries. We grew up in cannabis, and as the industry expanded, we propelled the indoor and vertical farming sectors forward. Many in vertical farming looked to the cannabis industry for solutions, and we were there from the beginning."
The cannabis special
When Mike launched Agrowtek, he was very much aware that cannabis cultivation presents unique challenges compared to traditional crops. "For instance, the consumption method of cannabis - whether through smoking or edibles - demands stricter safety standards," he explains. "The acceptable levels of mold and yeast in cannabis can be up to ten times more stringent than those for lettuce."
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But perhaps, the most staggering difference regards the minimal allowable crop waste in cannabis cultivation. "While traditional ornamental greenhouses accept 20-30% crop loss, cannabis cultivators must maximize every plant, often investing thousands of dollars in compliance tags and rigorous processes to ensure efficiency." In other words, there's little to no room for mistakes, and every single plant must produce a certain amount of flowers that have to necessarily become finished products. Cannabis is such a highly valuable crop and it's so costly to grow it, that nothing - or little to - can go to waste.
The cannabis industry's growth has led to unprecedented production scales. Agrowtek supports clients who harvest up to one million grams every six days - an output that would have taken a decade in the past. "However, scaling up brings new challenges, particularly in post-harvest management and perpetual production cycles," Mike points out. "When you transition from managing 100 lights to 1,000 lights across ten rooms, the workload multiplies significantly," explains Mike. "Many growers struggle because they haven't scaled their workflow to match their production facility."
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Cultural shift
With the wealth of information available today, novice growers can achieve decent results with basic equipment. However, staying competitive requires more than just access to knowledge. The market's demand for specific genetics, such as the shift from OG and gassy flavors to candy and back to gassy, forces cultivators to make strategic decisions about their crop cycles. "If you're investing a year into a genetic, you must predict market trends well in advance," Mike notes. "The challenge is balancing innovation with market relevance."
The cannabis industry is experiencing a cultural shift as legacy growers who built the industry coexist with newcomers focused solely on profits, according to Mike. "Agrowtek, rooted in the passion for the plant, bridges this gap by offering expertise from both worlds. We lend our 18 years of experience to every project. Our dedication to the community and the plant itself sets us apart from corporate players who lack firsthand experience with cannabis."
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Agrowtek continues to innovate, with new sensors, machines, and partnerships on the horizon. Operating debt-free and independently, the company reinvests in its factory and employees while maintaining a commitment to serving the community. "We're not slowing down. From cannabis in North America to vertical farming in the Middle East, we are a global solution provider," Mike asserts. "Our success stems from our passion for plants and the support of the community, which took us from a garage to a warehouse."
For more information:
© Agrowtek Agrowtek
3365 Gateway Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045
Phone: (847) 380-3009
Fax: (224) 538-2320
sales@agrowtek.com
agrowtek.com