September 15, 2015 | seedstock

Tarek Hijazi, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Operations at Sundial Farm

As arable land grows scarcer and consequently more expensive by the year, many new farmers and entrepreneurs are opting to grow produce in controlled environments. Utilizing hydroponic and aquaponic systems that usually require only 10% of the water necessary to grow similar crops outdoors, these indoor growers can often produce more than 20 times the traditional field-crop yield in the same amount of space.

Hydroponic and aquaponic farms can also be placed in non-traditional growing environments – including in the middle of a city, in vacant warehouses and on land that is often much cheaper than arable land. That such farms can be situated close to cities also gives them the opportunity to provide more local food access to buyers – from wholesalers and supermarkets to restaurants and institutions.

To discuss the parallel growth of controlled environment agriculture and local food systems across the country, Tarek Hijazi, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Operations at Sundial Farm, a family-owned farm that utilizes state-of-the-art hydroponic systems to produce high quality organic leafy greens, will participate in the upcoming 4th Annual Seedstock Sustainable Agriculture Conference on November 3 – 4, 2015 at UC San Diego – http://seedstockconference.com. Tarek will be part of a panel that will focus on how farmers are embracing hydroponic and aquaponic systems to grow more sustainably, meet market demand and increase local food security.

Tarek joined Sundial Farm in 2012 to assist with all facets of the greenhouse operations. His combined knowledge of Systems Management and Regulatory Affairs provide Sundial Farm the know-how to implement effective growing methods to produce an organic, environmentally healthy harvest. A graduate from the University of Arizona in Finance, Tarek enjoys speaking multiple languages, meeting new people and exploring sustainable growing techniques. Based out of North San Diego, Sundial Farm uses state-of-the-art hydroponics systems to grow organic and nutritious produce that is as fresh, clean, and tasty as it gets. Sundial Farm chose hydroponic growing methods because of the imperative need for water conservation in Southern California.

Discounted Seed Saver Tickets are available for a limited time so register now to hear Tarek speak at the 4th Annual Seedstock Sustainable Agriculture Conference by clicking on the link below:

http://seedstockconference.eventbrite.com

Confirmed Speakers:

Catt Fields White – CEO of SD Weekly Markets
Gus Schumacher – Founding Board Chair and Vice President of Wholesome Wave
Lauren Blacker – District Manager at Sodexo for Sharp HealthCare
N. Diane Moss – Executive Director of Project New Village
Milan Kluko – Founder and President at Green Spirit Farms
Ed Glebus – Associate Director and Executive Chef for SDSU Dining
Bob Harrington – President of Specialty Produce
Pierre Sleiman – Founder and CEO of Go Green Agriculture
Dan Gibbs – CEO of Home Town Farms
Daron “Farmer D” Joffe – Director of Agricultural Innovation at Leichtag Foundation
Erik Oberholtzer – Co-founder of Tender Greens
Amy McCann – Co-founder and CEO of Local Food Marketplace
Robert Tse – State Broadband Coordinator for USDA CA-Rural Development
Anchi Mei – Senior Program Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Damian Valdez – Farmer at [email protected] Urban Farm

Original Post here: http://seedstockconference.com/hydroponics-aquaponics-and-the-future-of-local-food-at-the-4th-annual-seedstock-sustainable-ag-conference