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Omagine In the News – Multiple Press Pieces

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:49 PM on Tuesday, June 30th, 2015

http://the-mea.co.uk/news/omagine-sign-25bn-mixed-use-project-deal-july-1

http://www.gulfconstructiononline.com/stories/source/?url=/IND_285244.html

http://www.topix.com/world/oman/2015/06/1506309TH42P

http://kuwaitnris.com/agreement-on-omagine-project-to-be-signed-tomorrow/

http://timberexec.co.uk/agreement-on-omagine-project-to-be-signed-tomorrow/

http://ttnonline.com/ArticleTA/285245

http://mideaster.com/news/Agreement+on+Omagine+Project+to+be+signed+tomorrow

http://pmgulf.com/content/agreement-on-omagine-project-to-be-signed-tomorrow-construction-week-online/

http://morocco.shafaqna.com/EN/MA/200078

http://www.omanbulletin.com/story-z7174849

http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-34235-agreement-on-omagine-project-to-be-signed-tomorrow/

http://www.arabianindustry.com/construction/news/2015/jun/30/agreement-on-omagine-project-to-be-signed-tomorrow-5083286/#.VZKi_vlVhHw

https://www.venturesonsite.com/news/key-usufruct-agreement-on-the-us-2-5-bn-omagine-project-to-be-inked-on-july-1st/

Regards,

AGORACOM

CLIENT FEATURE: Urban Barns (URBF: OTCQB) Capitalizing on Evolution of Cubic Farming

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:36 PM on Monday, June 29th, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

What is Cubic Farming?

  • A revolution in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
  • Propriety, patent-pending, looped conveyer growing system
  • Advanced uniform LED technology
  • Automated watering and nutrients
  • Optimal conditions for crops to transition from seeds to maturity through pre-set germination, growing and harvesting phases.

Why Urban Barns Foods?

  • Unknown story due to no previous IR = best opportunity to get in
  • Tier-1 Customers = Commercial Acceptance
  • 320 square feet = 3 acres of farm production
  • Watch this video clip to see what production looks like
  • Watch this video clip to see what the Executive Chef at Chateau Frontenac has to say

Marquee Customers Include:

Strong Institutional Ownership, 39% Owned By:

Modern Agriculture Needs Green Innovation

The Cubic Farming Advantage

  • 100% controlled environment
  • Growing 365 days a year
  • No pesticides, herbicides or fungicides
  • No GMOs
  • Minimal water requirements
  • Superior nutritional values
  • Longer shelf life
  • Consistency

Consumers Demand Clean Food

  • Globally, the BFY (BETTER FOR YOU) food category is projected to grow by 25% to over $199.8 billion in 2015.
  • GMOs, a major concern for North American consumers
  • 72% of consumers say it is important to avoid GMOs when they shop
  • 40% of consumers say they look for non-GMO claims on food
  • Natural & clean foods are increasingly mainstream
  • Not only for higher income, most educated privileged segment. It is becoming a social movement.

Urban Barns Is the Solution


12 Month Stock Chart

 

Liberty Star Announces Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Outlines Management Presentation at Meeting

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:58 AM on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015

Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (“Liberty Star” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: LBSR) will hold a combined Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at San Miguel Club House, 5565 N. Binghampton, Tucson, AZ 85712 for the following purposes:

  1. To ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm
  2. To elect James Briscoe, Gary Musil, John Guilbert, Keith Brill, Peter O’Heeron and Brett Gross as directors
  3. To approve an amendment to our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 1,250,000,000 to 6,250,000,000
  4. To hold a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officer as disclosed in the proxy statement
  5. To hold a non-binding advisory vote on whether a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers should be held every one, two or three years
  6. To transact such other business, if any, as may properly come before the Meeting

Doors will open at 1:00 PM (PDT) for a meet & greet. Brief management presentations and the formal Meeting will commence at 1:30 PM, followed by a question & answer session.

Liberty Star cordially invites you to attend this event. If you plan to attend, or have a question for the question & answer session, please respond by Friday, July 10:

Call 520-425-1433
mailto:[email protected]

For additional information visit the Annual/Special Meeting FYE 1.31.2015 page on our website.

During the last quarter, a variety of positive events have occurred. CEO/Chief Geologist will discuss recent events at the Meeting in a short presentation, including the following:

1.

Increasing accuracy of the analysis of our ZTEM is going forward. It appears there may be a horizontal shallow zone that could contain copper oxides that would be leachable. We will work on a more shallow drill program during this very difficult fund raising period. Later, we will extend the depth of holes to test the sulfide zone indicated by the ZTEM geophysics.

2.

On June 19th Geotech delivered three dimensional (3D) plots of the magnetics and electromagnetics (EM) with our geochem data superimposed on the geophysics so that the relationship is even more clearly depicted than it was in the 2D treatment. This 3D treatment is very computer intensive and was not easily possible until recently. These data are posted in our web page in the Hay Mountain Image Gallery: take a look.

3.

Also sent to our website is a report about the Balboa discovery (Cobre, Panama) presented at the PDAC in 2014, and just released after the recent Geological Society of Nevada meeting, this Spring. The Balboa discovery is a recent blind discovery in Panama and now is part a cluster of six porphyry copper deposits previously discovered in close proximity to one another by more traditional exploration techniques. Balboa was discovered completely by use of the ZTEM geophysical method. This is very similar to what we believe we have at Hay Mountain – a cluster of porphyry copper deposits indicated by ZTEM and corroborated by geochemical analysis of clippings of twigs of desert vegetation collected over several square miles. This is called biogeochemistry or veggie geochemistry, and has been verified by Liberty Star and predecessors over the last 20 years and by other geochemists.

4.

We and every other exploration company have had a very tough time in the financial climate over the last several years; this includes raising sufficient capital to execute our very carefully planned exploration program at Hay Mountain which we believe will result in a world class cluster of porphyry copper deposit, similar to Balboa and others.

5.

We have been in discussions with a funder that suggests we should invest in near surface, high grade, quickly minable projects that will begin to generate production cash quickly. We find this strategy very compelling and we are in discussions with this funder to assist us in this strategy. We will continue to work methodically with low expenditure of funds to advance Hay Mountain. When base and precious metal projects of large scale can attract funding we will use these funds to bring the large Hay Mountain Project forward.

a.

In the last three weeks we have taken a look at about 10 targets that would fit the above suggested approach.

b.

We have chosen two projects that we think are promising:

i.

One that we have extensive data on is for high grade silver and gold near surface mineralization right here in Arizona, that with recently available mining equipment and exploration technology we can move forward relatively quickly and believe we can be mining within a year or less.

ii.

The second site in Utah is for near surface, high grade uranium mineralization which has been compiled and become available during the most recent downturn in the uranium price. Again this would be from high grade, near surface bodies that could be mined at low cost, with the same mining and technological equipment, mentioned in i. above.

6.

Mining Engineer-Lawyer, Liberty Star Director Brett Gross has been participating with me and will continue to participate in the above and future activities of project and corporate development.

 

“James A. Briscoe” James A. Briscoe, Professional Geologist, AZ CA
CEO/Chief Geologist
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include all our planned drilling programs; our belief that the exploration program at Hay Mountain will result in a world class cluster of porphyry copper deposits, similar to Balboa and others; our funding strategy; our belief that we can be mining within a year or less for a promising project; and the statement that Brett Gross will continue to participate in future activities of project and corporate development. Factors which may delay or prevent these forward-looking statements from being realized include: we may not attract any partners or funding sources; we may not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete our intended exploration, keep our properties or carry on operations; mineral prices may not rebound in time for us to keep our properties; and we may encounter an inability to continue exploration due to weather, logistical problems, labor or equipment problems or hazards even if funds are available. Even if we find a partner, we may not be able to reach agreement or carry out the development program as contemplated. Despite encouraging data there may be no commercially exploitable mineralization on our properties. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures in the Company’s recent 10-K and the Company’s other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Follow Liberty Star on Agoracom, Facebook , LinkedIn & Twitter@LibertyStarLBSR

Contact:
Agoracom Investor Relations
[email protected]
http://agoracom.com/ir/libertystar
or
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
Tracy Myers, Investor Relations
520-425-1433
[email protected]

CLIENT FEATURE: Urban Barns (URBF: OTCQB) Takes Cubic Farming to Drought Stricken California

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:15 AM on Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

What is Cubic Farming?

  • A revolution in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
  • Propriety, patent-pending, looped conveyer growing system
  • Advanced uniform LED technology
  • Automated watering and nutrients
  • Optimal conditions for crops to transition from seeds to maturity through pre-set germination, growing and harvesting phases.

Why Urban Barns Foods?

  • Unknown story due to no previous IR = best opportunity to get in
  • Tier-1 Customers = Commercial Acceptance
  • 320 square feet = 3 acres of farm production
  • $5M Market Cap = Great Risk/Reward
  • Watch this video clip to see what production looks like
  • Watch this video clip to see what the Executive Chef at Chateau Frontenac has to say

Marquee Customers Include:

Strong Institutional Ownership, 39% Owned By:

Modern Agriculture Needs Green Innovation

urbanscreen2

The Cubic Farming Advantage

  • 100% controlled environment
  • Growing 365 days a year
  • No pesticides, herbicides or fungicides
  • No GMOs
  • Minimal water requirements
  • Superior nutritional values
  • Longer shelf life
  • Consistency

Consumers Demand Clean Food

  • Globally, the BFY (BETTER FOR YOU) food category is projected to grow by 25% to over $199.8 billion in 2015.
  • GMOs, a major concern for North American consumers
  • 72% of consumers say it is important to avoid GMOs when they shop
  • 40% of consumers say they look for non-GMO claims on food
  • Natural & clean foods are increasingly mainstream
  • Not only for higher income, most educated privileged segment. It is becoming a social movement.

Urban Barns Is the Solution

 

Neah Power Provides update on the increasing global demand for remote power

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:18 AM on Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

  • level of interest in NEAH Power’s technologies has never been greater.
  • As the frenzy of venture capital and private equity investing in alternative energy and clean energy companies comes back down to Earth, the focus of the industry is irreversibly shifting to practical, reliable and cost-effective solutions like those of NEAH Power, which can realistically meet current and urgent demands for off-grid power and energy storage in compact, scalable form factors.

Neah introduces proprietary lithium battery technology

BOTHELL, WA – May 27, 2015 – Neah Power Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: NPWZ) (OTC: NPWZ) –

To Our Shareholders:

As a supplement to our latest quarterly filing, I want to provide you with a brief report on the status of our Company operations as well as relate the progress achieved by our management in advancing efforts to commercialize, license and sell NEAH Power’s industry leading technologies and products.

While we continue to develop the many opportunities announced to date, we are also preparing to announce several more initiatives that are expected to contribute significantly to our growth and standing as an emerging leader in fuel cell and battery technologies.

In light of the current stock price, which management believes does not adequately reflect the true value of the Company’s assets, I wish to reassure you that the level of interest in NEAH Power’s technologies has never been greater. As the frenzy of venture capital and private equity investing in alternative energy and clean energy companies comes back down to Earth, the focus of the industry is irreversibly shifting to practical, reliable and cost-effective solutions like those of NEAH Power, which can realistically meet current and urgent demands for off-grid power and energy storage in compact, scalable form factors.

We are extremely pleased to announce that we have been doing research and development on a lithium battery technology that appears to be far superior to any incumbent technologies (the PowerChip® Battery). At an appropriate time in the near future, once the Company has achieved the next round of performance targets, we will be sharing details with our shareholders. Once completed, we believe our Porous Silicon Battery will be a disruptive power storage system for a whole range of applications from consumer goods to automotive applications, as well as for scalable storage solutions for off-peak and back-up power usage.

Now more than ever, power storage and generating technologies, such as batteries, ultra-capacitors and fuel cells are being used to increase efficiency and reliability in transportation, infrastructure, industrial equipment, and portable electronics, with the aim of creating a more sustainable, environmentally responsible, and secure economic future. Furthermore, the global energy industry, governments and other stakeholders have recognized that fuel cell and battery technologies such as ours, offer an attractive option for reliable backup power to the electric grid.

Also in our favor is the growing global demand for reliable remote power, both in developed and emerging markets, where large swaths of land that off-grid are now being incorporated. This demand is even greater in continents such as Africa where nations are facing a real crisis of rapid growth amidst failing or inadequate power grids. Over the next 10 years, emerging nations are anticipated to account for $13.6 billion in new power infrastructure investment as they roll out massive electric grid modernization programs to meet demand.

With the demand for real-time communication, access to the internet, and remote security for developing communities rapidly growing, NEAH Power clearly sees itself as a front-runner , as we have the technologies and products available to best deliver remote power systems, including “community power grids”. With continued success in securing the proper relationships, distribution partners and capital, NEAH Power should ostensibly become one of the leading providers of clean, reliable, and low cost power to remote areas.

Our management with the support of several new consultants and advisors have been focused intently on capitalizing on this increased attention and interest, and expect that the increasingly favorable environment will translate into real economic benefits for our shareholders. Accordingly, over the course of the last six months, NEAH Power’s technologies have attracted new interest and attention from numerous governments, industry partners, companies and other end-users, who have come to recognize that NEAH Power’s smaller, lighter and more powerful solutions represent a practical and reliable path to upgrade power capabilities. In addition, the interest of the investment community in technologies such as ours has never been as intense as it is today.

As to specific applications, we have seen significant interest for our power technologies from manufacturers of unmanned vehicles. This is particularly due to the fact that the unique capabilities and flexible application of our proprietary technologies, makes NEAH Power one of the few, if not the only, fuel cell company that can address any application, whether aerial, land or undersea.

At present we are in discussions with various UAV manufactures that wish to extend flight times and/or increase sensor payload capacity with the higher power concentration of a hybrid fuel cell solution incorporating NEAH Power’s technologies. Importantly, the same product development efforts here can be readily translated to other vehicles, including automotive, maritime and rail applications.

We have also seen a tremendous interest in resellers worldwide who are interested in our high energy density Formira HODTM (Hydrogen-on-Demand) platform to supplement grid, solar and other hybrid energy platforms, as well as a stand-alone system in micro-grid applications. While we are growing our distribution and resale network for Formira HODTM, NEAH Power’s management has also been focused on securing strategic partners which will allow us to deploy and support our products worldwide and enhance our branding. We expect to announce several exciting strategic partnerships soon!

Clearly, there is a lot to be proud of and much to be excited about as NEAH Power advances its growth phase. In spite of the challenging financial environment and the contrarian pressure on our stock, we feel that our power technologies are on the brink of our most significant economic achievements.

Status of the Shorai Acquisition

We previously announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge with Shorai, Inc., with a targeted completion date of June 15 2015. Shorai is a leading provider of lithium ion-based power sports and starter battery solutions for the consumer motorsport industry. This merger is expected to be immediately accretive with Shorai reporting over $4.0 million (unaudited) revenue for the twelve months ended December 2014 with positive cash flow in 4Q 2014. Further, the acquisition will allow us to realize product, marketing and operational synergies as NEAH Power rolls our products. We are endeavoring to negotiate with investors the best possible deal for our current Company shareholders while we secure the capital necessary to close this acquisition transaction.

PowerChip® Fuel Cell Product Acceptance

We recently announced the successful completion of testing of three PowerChip® units with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of the Government of India. These units were manufactured and shipped against an open purchase order. Product testing, qualification and acceptance by a third party (a government owned entity) were completed December 2014. We consider this third party validation an important and key milestone for the Company. As planned, we have proceeded with discussions aimed at completing a licensing agreement with the Government of India, which if secured should result in significant supply contracts, licensing revenue and establish a broad, sustainable market in India and its territories. Completion of the ongoing discussions is pending on certain high level appointments at the DRDO expected in the near future.

Formira HODTM (Hydrogen on Demand)

Our Formira HODTM fuel cell continues to demonstrate best-in-class performance. As stated, we are in discussions with several leading manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remote robotic vehicles, automotive, rail, off-grid power, and medical device companies. The Formira HODTM fuel cell has been proven as a safe, cost-effective and energy dense solution for the production of hydrogen for a variety of applications. It surpasses other sources of energy like compressed hydrogen, the most commonly used method of utilizing hydrogen to generate energy. We are presently designing the Formira HODTM system into UAVs with Silent Falcon, and are targeting a shipment of the first units around the end of June 2015 to our security and defense partner, Tectonica Australia, a leading global defense and security systems integrator. We are very pleased with the reception our Formira HODTM system is receiving from different commercial and consumer companies and expect this to translate to material sales.

BuzzBar Suite Gen 2 & Gen 3

As of date, NEAH Power has shipped all of the orders that we received through the website and our Indiegogo campaign. We also have presented the product to various big box retailers and end users, and have aggregated the feedback from them into BuzzBar Gen 3. Our Gen 3 BuzzBar has received very good feedback. Pending the completion of a satisfactory capital raise and upon completing the Shorai Acquisition, we expect shipping of the Gen 3 BuzzBar to commence later this year. Our objective is to leverage the Shorai brand and marketing prowess to launch the Gen 3 in a most significant way!

We look forward to announcing more exciting news and milestones very soon! As we develop the numerous opportunities at hand, expand our business development efforts going forward, and secure the necessary capital to fully execute our plan, management will continue working hard to accomplish the mission. Our success is only achieved with the tireless work of our employees, the support of our shareholders, the diligent governance of our Board of Directors, and the expert guidance of our Strategic Advisory Board. Thank you for your trust and loyalty.

Best Regards,
Chris D’Couto
President & CEO
Neah Power Systems

Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained herein may be, within the meaning of the federal securities laws, “forward-looking statements,” which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any of these statements in the future. Please read Neah Power System’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during fiscal 2015 for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors.

For more information please contact the Company at
David Schmidt, CFO
[email protected]
425-424-3324 ext. 110

Urban Barns’ Cubic Farming Seeks to Change the Future of Urban Farming one Head of Lettuce at a Time

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:27 PM on Monday, May 25th, 2015

  • Urban Barns is using a new farming technology dubbed controlled environment agriculture, or CEA
  • No traditional crop rows and no ladders inside an Urban Barns facility, Rather, long metal frames carrying growing trays are suspended in the air, circulating underneath thousands of red, amber, and blue LED lights
  • “I certainly believe this is the way of the future,” says Hough, head of business development and a jack-of-all-trades with Urban Barns

Greg Hough is on his way to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Montreal, Canada, delivering another order of Urban Barns’ lettuce produced in its Cubic Farming system. The lettuce was harvested only three hours ago. Drawing on ideas and concepts used in greenhouse farming, vertical farming, and traditional field farming, Urban Barns’ patent-pending Cubic Farming system reconceptualizes the future of urban farming. “I certainly believe this is the way of the future,” says Hough, head of business development and a jack-of-all-trades with Urban Barns. “We certainly have some aspect of a vertical farm, but I like to think we use space even more efficiently and effectively.”

Urban Barns is using a new farming technology dubbed controlled environment agriculture, or CEA. There are no traditional crop rows and no ladders inside an Urban Barns facility. Rather, long metal frames carrying growing trays are suspended in the air, circulating underneath thousands of red, amber, and blue LED lights. In a sporadically sunny region like Canada, sunlight poses a major impediment to year-round farming ventures. Urban Barns’ hydroponic lettuce, however, suns itself for twelve to sixteen hours each day, using both ceiling-mounted LED lights and intra-canopy LED lights. With traditional farming methods, it can take anywhere form forty-five to ninety days to grow lettuce in the region. Urban Barns’ method has cut the process down to twenty-one days.

Cubic Farming technology doesn’t just present a new way to get from seed to table; it offers an entirely unique product as well. The Urban Barn facility is a completely controlled environment. Instead of overalls and work boots, employees don lab coats, hairnets, and gloves. As a result, Urban Barns does not need to use any herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides on its plants. With many consumers opting for organics in recent years, this creates a competitive advantage. Hough recalls a recent Canadian study in which fifty percent of the organic produce that was tested came back positive for pesticide residue. Urban Barns’ lettuce would probably come back completely negative.

From a production standpoint, Urban Barns’ has cut both time and labor costs dramatically. “Due to the conveyor system, one person can do seeding, planting, and harvesting without really having to move,” Says Hough. Currently, Urban Barns employees less than ten people including its executive team. The conveyor carries the metal trays right to the employee, as a gentle breeze travels throughout the barn. Fans connected to the enclosure provide just the right amount of wind to mirror some of the environmental stresses that the plants would encounter in nature. In the wild, plants have to combat many environmental stresses, like pests, drought, floods, and wind. They become stronger in response to these stresses, leading to healthier and more robust plants.

The cost production aspects of cubic farming and lower than many people would imagine. “Our system uses ninety-six percent less water than a traditional farm would use, so our water costs are extremely low,” says Hough. The most expensive part of the operation is the machinery. “We had nothing to model it after, so we had to design, build, and optimize our machinery from scratch,” says Hough. The company currently uses fourth generation machines to carry the lettuce, microgreens, and other produce along the conveyor belt system. According to Hough, these machines cost roughly $125,000.” Although the company uses thousands of LED lights, electricity accounts for less than one-fifth of total production costs.

The LED lights are a critical component of cubic farming technology. “If you look at our Urban Barn now, you will see a pinkish and purple-ish hue emanating from it.” This color is no accident. Urban Barns has worked closely with researchers at McGill University’s Bioresource Engineering program, including Dr. Mark Lesfred, who helped NASA figure out how to feed astronauts fresh vegetables in space. McGill has helped Urban Barns develop many aspects of cubic farming technology, including the precise tone and hue of each LED light. The color of the light makes a difference in the growing process, which, according to Hough, you can taste.

Urban Barns has many items on its technological advancement agenda. In hydroponic farming, crops are seeded and grown in plugs made from a fabric-like material commonly referred to as substrate. Currently, the company is exploring the use of alternatives to the rockwool substrate it uses to grow its lettuce and microgreens. McGill researchers have tested a wide variety of potential substrate substitutes, including hemp fiber and coconut fiber.

Right now, a number of Urban Barns’ microgreens are growing in the newly developed hemp fiber. The material is actually cheaper than rockwool, and provides a major bonus benefit for the company. “Substrates don’t break down, but these fibers will,” says Hough. For the company, sustainability and environmental stewardship are a top priority. Finding a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to traditional substrates would be a landmark success for Urban Barns as well as the larger hydroponic farming industry.

The company sees itself growing in the coming years and intends to venture into other types of produce. Hough is particularly interested in produce that cannot be grown year-round in the chilly Canadian climate, like fresh strawberries in winter. Urban Barns chose lettuce as its first crop in order to provide local residents with fresher alternatives to the imported lettuce on Canadian supermarket shelves. Most of Canada’s lettuce comes from California, taking seven days to travel across the continent and another two to three days to hit store shelves. The company also sees its geographical reach expanding. “The plan is to have a barn in every major city across North America,” says Hough.

These goals are not without impediments. Hough sees two potentially significant hurdles to bringing Cubic Farming technology to the forefront of the market. Consumer education has proved to be a task for many of Urban Barns’ endeavors. Currently, the company sells its lettuce in single-serving heads and is priced at the upper end of the organic produce market. “The education process is attached to the premium that we are charging now,” remarks Hough, “but our product has a lot more to offer.” Current clientele include many upper-end hotels in the area, like The Fairmont and Hyatt, in addition to many grocers throughout the region, including IGA, the largest grocer in the country.

As for the other hurdle, Urban Barns has identified at least two other operations using a similar LED light system, including a vertical farm on Canada’s eastern coast. “I believe it is going to be a first-to-market race,” remarks Hough.

Urban Barns’ aspirations of building Cubic Farming barns across the globe are tethered by a concept that is very important to the company. “We definitely have aspirations of becoming a global company, but we always want to maintain local roots.” The local food movement has gained popularity in recent years, and has drawn in many consumers who enjoy supporting local agriculture while receiving the freshest produce possible. “The current food system is not optimal,” says Hough. “This is the future. There is no question in my mind about it”

Source: http://agfundernews.com/urban-barns-cubic-farming-seeks-to-change-the-future-of-urban-farming-one-head-of-lettuce-at-a-time.html

Urban Barns Announces New Kosher Certifications

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:27 AM on Friday, May 22nd, 2015

  • Announced that it has recently received the MK Kosher certification for its Oak Leaf lettuce and three types of Micro Greens, namely Daikon, Sango/Rambo and Mizuna

MONTREAL, QUBEC, Canada, via ETELIGIS INC., 05/22/2015 – –Urban Barns Food Inc. (“Urban Barns”) (OTCQB: URBF), an innovative food producer, announced that it has recently received the MK Kosher certification for its Oak Leaf lettuce and three types of Micro Greens, namely Daikon, Sango/Rambo and Mizuna. Urban Barns Foods Inc. will continue to broaden its Kosher product line up with additional micro green varieties and herbs in the coming months. Dedicated in the cultivation of fresh vegetables throughout the year, Urban Barns Foods Inc. uses the latest in LED technology and is most noted for its proprietary Cubic Farming method.

These recent additions will add to the currently approved romaine and butterhead lettuce that obtained Kosher certification in December of 2014.

Rabbi Saul Emanuel, Executive Director of Canada’s Kosher certifier, expressed his delight over the company’s MK Kosher Certification which he feels will be beneficial for the Kosher catering and consumer industries. Furthermore, Rabbi Peretz Jaffe, the Kashrus coordinator, noted how difficult it is in finding produce that is free of infestation, and believes that the market will only gain from this recent development.

For further updates and developments, please go to:

Facebook.com/UrbanBarns

Instagram.com/UrbanBarnsFoods

Twitter.com/UrbanBarns

Youtube.com/UrbanBarnsFoods

About MK Kosher Certification:

Canada’s Kosher certifier, otherwise known as “MK” has established itself as the leading player responsible for the certification of thousands of Kosher food products bearing the MK certification mark. As Canada’s Kosher certifier, companies from across the country source out MK Kosher certification, enabling them to become part of the highly acclaimed list of enterprises that produce food products with the MK Kosher certification mark.

About Urban Barns Foods Inc.

Urban Barns uses patent pending and proprietary equipment to produce affordable leafy vegetables in a secure and controlled indoor environment. By setting up subsidiary facilities and growing locally, Urban Barns can focus on supplying any community, irrespective of the regional climate, effectively reducing shipping times and related spoilage costs. Urban Barns has the unique ability to scale and cater to the demands of all major communities. The company’s commitment to consumers is reflected through its motto, “Fresh, Local, Green”.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth above may include forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. Words such as “may”, “could”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Urban Barns does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements and cautions investors to consider all other risks and uncertainties, including those disclosed in Urban Barns’ filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:

For further information, contact:

Urban Barns Foods, Inc.

Richard Groome, President and CEO

[email protected]

Tel: 514 907 4989 x 774

www.urbanbarnsfoods.com

SOURCE: Urban Barns Foods, Inc.

Associated Documentation:

Link to submission on http://www.eteligis.com
URBF_05-21-2015_888_ETL.docx

CLIENT FEATURE: Urban Barns (URBF: OTCQB) Capitalizing on the Evolution of Cubic Farming

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:50 PM on Tuesday, May 5th, 2015


What is Cubic Farming?

  • A revolution in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
  • Propriety, patent-pending, looped conveyer growing system
  • Advanced uniform LED technology
  • Automated watering and nutrients
  • Optimal conditions for crops to transition from seeds to maturity through pre-set germination, growing and harvesting phases.

Why Urban Barns Foods?

  • Unknown story due to no previous IR = best opportunity to get in
  • Tier-1 Customers = Commercial Acceptance
  • 320 square feet = 3 acres of farm production
  • $5M Market Cap = Great Risk/Reward
  • Watch this video clip to see what production looks like
  • Watch this video clip to see what the Executive Chef at Chateau Frontenac has to say

Marquee Customers Include:

Strong Institutional Ownership, 39% Owned By:

Modern Agriculture Needs Green Innovation

The Cubic Farming Advantage

  • 100% controlled environment
  • Growing 365 days a year
  • No pesticides, herbicides or fungicides
  • No GMOs
  • Minimal water requirements
  • Superior nutritional values
  • Longer shelf life
  • Consistency

Consumers Demand Clean Food

  • Globally, the BFY (BETTER FOR YOU) food category is projected to grow by 25% to over $199.8 billion in 2015.
  • GMOs, a major concern for North American consumers
  • 72% of consumers say it is important to avoid GMOs when they shop
  • 40% of consumers say they look for non-GMO claims on food
  • Natural & clean foods are increasingly mainstream
  • Not only for higher income, most educated privileged segment. It is becoming a social movement.

Urban Barns Is the Solution


12 Month Stock Chart

INTERVIEW: Urban Barns Foods Inc. (URBF:OTCQB) Revolutionizing Cubic Farming

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:49 AM on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

URBF: OTCQB

What is Cubic Farming?

  • A revolution in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
  • Propriety, patent-pending, looped conveyer growing system
  • Advanced uniform LED technology
  • Automated watering and nutrients
  • Optimal conditions for crops to transition from seeds to maturity through pre-set germination, growing and harvesting phases.

Why Urban Barns Foods?

  • Unknown story due to no previous IR = Great Timing
  • Many Tier-1 Restaurants, Hotels and Executive Chefs
  • 320 square feet = 3 acres of farm production
  • $5M Market Cap = Great Risk/Reward At This Level
  • Watch this video clip to see what production looks like
  • Watch this video clip to see what the Executive Chef at Chateau Frontenac has to say

Hub On AGORACOM / Corporate Profile / Watch Interview!

What’s the real cost of your fresh salad?

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:52 AM on Friday, April 17th, 2015

[email protected] army of modern-day “slaves” are being used to grow the salad and winter vegetables that fill Britain’s supermarket shelves.

The claims are made by politicians and workers in Spain who say migrants employed to pick salad for companies whose produce ends up on the shelves of British supermarkets are routinely mistreated, forced to work weeks on end, cheated out of wages and exposed to pesticides.

‘Responsibly sourced’

Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Asda all say they source our food responsibly and they have all signed up to the Global Ethical Trading Initiative, designed to protect workers’ rights. M&S promotes its Field to Fork policy assuring customers its suppliers adhere to high standards. Waitrose claim their produce is “responsibly sourced”.

They suck the blood out of people. You work for two or four months and then they sack you without severance. Lettuce picker

But an investigation by Channel 4 News has spoken to workers picking vegetables for a Spanish company whose produce is supplied to Tesco, Sainsbury’s Asda, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer. The company,  grows conventional and highly priced organic lettuces, herbs and salad leaves in a trade worth almost 30m euros a year.

uses an employment agency called Integra Empleo to provide casual workers to pick the produce in its fields. Workers spoken to by Channel 4 News claim the agency routinely mistreats the workers.

One lettuce picker told the programme: “They suck the blood out of people. You work for two or four months and then they sack you without severance, without payment, without anything. If we work 26 days, they write down 16 or 18. They always steal seven or eight days. It’s not right.”

Another worker claimed he had worked 22 days in one month, but was only paid for 17. When he complained, he says he was told: “You’ve been paid the amount of money you deserve. If you think that’s not enough then you can leave.”

‘They do not care’

Among the many allegations the workers say they are forced to work overtime but often not paid for it and if they refuse they are sometimes blacklisted.

The cold I feel is inside from the fumes I inhaled whilst they were fumigating. Former worker

Under EU laws it is illegal for pickers to be in close proximity to pesticide machines as they work. But Channel 4 News filmed dozens of people working in the same field while chemicals were being sprayed.

One worker said she fell ill when working in fields where pesticides were being sprayed. That was two years ago but even after multiple operations on her sinuses she is in constant pain and unable to work.

She said: “They spray whilst employees work. All that matters to them is fulfilling their clients’ orders. They do not care.” She added: “The cold I feel is inside from the fumes I inhaled whilst they were fumigating. I find it difficult to speak. I feel worse and worse.”

Another worker told Channel 4 News that just weeks ago he was rushed to hospital after breathing in fumes. He was signed off by a doctor with bronchitis caused by exposure to pesticides. The following day he was fired by the employment agency Integra Empleo.

told us: “No pesticides are permitted on farms to be harvested. Workers are forbidden to enter any farm within 24 hours of the application of pesticides. management are not aware of any relevant incidents taking place.”

Workers and unions in the region say exposure to pesticides is common across the industry in southern Spain and is not confined to one company. Channel 4 News filmed the giant pesticide sprayers at work in another company’s salad farm, while workers were working the same field close by.

Seasonal Workers employed through agencies also told Channel 4 News that they:

  • were often paid by the number of boxes they filled, rather than by the hour as stated in their contracts, which they say forces them to work longer hours for less money.
  • would be compelled to work overtime but often not paid for it.
  • would be blacklisted if they refused to work overtime.
But with high unemployment in Spain, many migrant workers are still desperate to earn a living. We were told the police were aware of this practice taking place but little was done to stop it.

Ethical trading

All the major British supermarkets have signed up to tough standards on working conditions for their suppliers and claim they try to enforce them rigorously and there is no suggestion they knew of the workers’ complaints.

The Ethical Trading Initiative says that all overtime should be voluntary and no deductions should be made from wages without a worker’s consent. It also says that workers must be free to voice complaints without being discriminated against.

All our top supermarkets say they abide by these rules and Tesco even says it has local ethical trade managers on the ground who investigate claims locally. They also all have strict health and safety rules.

But the allegations we heard during our investigation suggests that employment agencies who supply much of the seasonal casual labour are less than rigorous about maintaining ethical standards.itself states in its annual accounts for 2010 that it has saved on staff costs by “outsourcing” staff rather than employing them directly.

Both  and the employment agency Integra Empleo deny all the allegations and both companies say they have launched investigations into the claims.

told us it strongly denies any claim that it mistreats or exploits agency workers and said the fair treatment and safety of workers was “paramount”.

It said 15 third party audits had been carried out on its farms in 2014/15 but “only a discrete number of issues were highlighted.”

However, as a result of our investigation, it has ceased working with Integra Empleo and is making arrangements to directly employ the workers employed through them directly.​

‘Key concern’

Channel 4 News contacted all the supermarkets with these claims.

Sainsbury’s told us: “We expect our suppliers to adhere to the highest quality and welfare standards, regardless of where they operate in the world. We are taking these allegations very seriously and will be conducting our own investigation.”

Waitrose told us: “Worker welfare is very important to us – our supplier is investigating these allegations and will ensure that our high standards are being met.”

The British Retail Consortium which represents all the supermarkets told us: “Ensuring workers are treated fairly in our supply chains is a key concern for retailers and we know all supermarkets will examine these allegations closely to take both immediate action where appropriate and refine their auditing procedures.

“Investment in ethical auditing has been a priority for UK supermarkets and they will continue to improve and adapt them to meet future challenges; something we made clear in our clear support for the Modern Slavery Act.

“However, ethical auditing is only one part of the solution to this which also requires effective day to day management of labour issues by suppliers and clear support from governments, both here and abroad, to enforce basic labour legislation.”

Abuse rife?

There are now more than 40 employment agencies supplying labour to farm growers in the Murcia region and trade unions say abuse of workers’ rights is rife.

Earlier this year, 5,000 of them turned out to demonstrate on the streets. Local politicians say the problem is widespread across the industry.

In a recent debate in the Murcia Regional Assembly, Pujante Diekman of the left coalition IU party said: “I believe that some of the working conditions are similar to slavery in some cases, and I have been able to verify that myself. I have seen it with my own eyes.

“This is an economy that can be described as slavery or semi-slavery, where workers have been cheated by cold blooded people, by people who have broken the law, plain and simple.”

Representatives from all parties, from left to right, voted in favour of a motion calling for working conditions to be improved.

Source: http://www.channel4.com/news/salad-supermarkets-cost-migrant-exploitation-pay-pesticide