Farming Business Innovations: Urban Cultivator and Tree-T-Pee

Introduction

Without doubt, fresh herbs are better tasting, as compared to dried herbs. In addition, there is little doubt that fresh garden vegetables are more preferred to those in supermarket shelves. Warmer climates allow fresh greens to grow yearlong, unlike colder regions that are more challenging in winter. The urban cultivator is an alternative that reduces complications of foul weather or stale herbs and micro greens (Urban Cultivator, 2014). The urban cultivator has a computerized system that creates a mini greenhouse environment. Together with the cost-efficient Tree-T-Pee, these innovations are revolutionizing farming businesses.

The most attractive business proposal on Shark Tank

Appearing in the Shark Tank, presenting his invention, and getting a deal with John Paul DeJoria, was a great moment for Johnny Georges (Tree-T-Pee: A Shark Tank Success that Grew Out of Hard Times, 2014). I consider this the most attractive proposed episode, since it revolutionizes the farming business. The sprinkler systems of the innovation have single drip emitters, which lower the quantity of water that each tree requires. In addition, the Tree-T-Pee prevents watering of unwanted grass and weeds growing close to the plant, making sure there is less maintenance throughout the season (Tree-T-Pee: A Shark Tank Success that Grew Out of Hard Times, 2014). This happens because the grass and weeds die out due to lack of water. The Tree-T-Pee protects smaller trees from night frost and is valuable in extreme frost conditions. Another great advantage of the Tree-T-Pee is that the drip style emitters prevent root rot, given that it does not spray water to the trunks of tree species directly. This mini greenhouse effect of Tree-T-Pee makes sure that several other tree varieties use less water to grow faster.

What is more appealing about the innovation, Tree-T-Pee?

Tree-T-Pee is a farming innovation that minimizes maintenance costs considerably and allows for better water management (Shark Tank Season 5, Episode 7, 2014). Micro greens will benefit from this innovation since they aid plants in growing faster. Using this innovation in urban cultivators facilitates better management of water supply. On the other hand, consumers and industries will benefit from the uniqueness of Tree-T-Pees because micro greens grow faster. Shark Tank Season 5, Episode 7 (2014), emphasizes that the Tree-T-Pee adds value, due to its ability to channel water and liquid fertilizers to plant roots, thereby increasing new growth by over thirty percent. The Tree-T-Pee also creates an atmosphere of a mini-greenhouse that enables it to capture moisture and heat, facilitating faster growth in plants. This aspect adds value to micro greens found in urban cultivators.

Applying Tree-T-Pee to micro greens and fresh herb industry

Tree-T-Pees are finding their way into the competitive market, and their potential is encouraging sales. What is more appealing about Tree-T-Pees is their ability to lower operational costs (Martin, 2014). Tree-T-Pees are also environmentally friendly because they help in reducing the costs of herbicides, fuels, and water. Many Tree-T-Pee users give testimony of the inventions ability to promote deep growth. Still, this invention has strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that could offer a competitive advantage to the micro greens business if well handled.

Strengths

Tree-T-Pee adds value to the growth of fresh herbs in urban cultivators. For garden enthusiasts such as me, urban cultivators and Tree-T-Pees present the perfect opportunity to start indoor planting for my herbs and micro greens (How to Start a Micro greens Business, 2014). Furthermore, they give me a head start if I am to grow plants indoors and later plant them outdoors during the growing season. Tree-T-Pees inhibit growth naturally and have a comparative advantage of better critter control.

Opportunities

After watching the Tree-T-Pee innovation on Shark Tank, I see an opportunity in making Tree-T-Pee for all kinds of tree species. After spending most of my life in the tree industry, I realize that even the biggest trees have to start at a point. It is at this point that benefits of Tree-T-Pee go along way. The product is 100% recycled plastic (Shark Tank Season 5, Episode 7, 2014), a low-cost approach with a competitive advantage for farming micro greens and fresh herbs.

Weaknesses

Most Commercial Citrus Tree Growers are purchasing large quantities of Tree-T-Pees. Yet, growers of smaller trees, micro greens, and fresh herbs are benefiting minimally from this product. Making a few minor changes to the product and availing different sizes for various species can greatly widen a farmers business base.

Threats

Citrus growers and other large-scale farmers are purchasing Tree-T-Pee products in large quantities. If George fails to include different sizes that cut across all growers, the micro greens industry may fail to maximize this opportunity. Still, the qualities of the Tree-T-Pee will make sure that Johnny captures the very promising micro greens market, particularly with the increasing acceptance of urban cultivators (How to Start a Micro greens Business, 2014).

Experience required to succeed

Currently, the existing Tree-T-Pees favor large customers who buy thousands of Tree-T-Pees for citrus trees (Tree-T-Pee: A Shark Tank Success that Grew Out of Hard Times, 2014). Therefore, Georges leaves out other large markets who may want to order below units of 15, which cost of beyond $100. Currently, there are five-unit Tree-T-Pees that cover homeowners and growers of micro greens willing to use their products. On the other hand, urban cultivators have costs that differ depending on the model one chooses. A consumer model begins at US$2, 200, while a larger industrial models cost $6,000 and beyond (Urban Cultivator, 2014). Although, urban cultivators are trending in the market, they carry an obstacle of assembly. The assembly of its high-end components are mostly time intensive. However, they are economical, since they have a good return on investments between periods of eight months to two years.

Conclusion

As local growers have trouble competing with other big conventional growers, both the urban cultivator and Tree-T-Pees give them an opportunity to carve a niche for themselves in the farming business. These two revolutionary technologies are allowing farmers to start their own gardens, thereby reaping the benefits of fresh and nutritious foods that cost less to produce. For indoor farmers, one does not need a larger space as they can grow their foods with ease. Still, changing farming practices that have existed for generations is not an overnight feat. Yet, Johnny has taken his tenacity to do away with outmoded conventional practices higher, despite rejection by traditionalists and conventional farmers. Georges Johnny and John Paul DeJoria have invested a determination that will make the dream of changing the world a reality for both Johnny and his father. Together, the urban cultivator and Tree-T-Pees are going to revolutionize farming of fresh herbs, micro greens, and other plant species.