Motivation Monday: Revolutionizing Food Security: Marc Plinke on Sustainable Year-Round Greenhouse Solutions

Marc is the Founder of Ceres Greenhouse Solutions, LLC®, an innovative design company that partners with residential and commercial food growers to help build extremely energy-efficient greenhouses with advanced climate-control technologies.Marc has a PhD in chemical engineering, giving him a unique perspective on food production and climate optimization. His in-demand book The Year-Round Solar Greenhouse details the fruit of his research and experience in perfecting greenhouse technology and design.Ceres has created a unique ground-to-air heat transfer (GAHT®) supplemental heating and cooling system for greenhouses that allows plants to survive—and thrive—through cold winters by harnessing the earth’s natural ability to produce heat and regulate climate.Ceres is also the only distributor in North America of ETFE Glazing, a super durable and highly light-transmissive (95%) greenhouse material that has been widely used in Japan for decades—and it is also recyclable!Our food systems in North America are disconnected and wasteful, forcing us to transport food in long-distance supply chains. Not only does this use excessive energy, it also creates food deserts and alienates communities from their food source.Marc wants to revolutionize this antiquated system by using climate-controlled greenhouses, empowering communities to produce high-quality, local food throughout the year.Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CeresGreenhouseSolutionsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcplinke/ instagram: @ceresgreenhousesfacebook: facebook.com/CeresGreenhouses\ Michael and Marc discussed business issues, sustainability, and the importance of inspiring people to do good in the world. They focused on improving food production and sustainability through year-round crop growth, the benefits of raised bed gardens and greenhouses in educational facilities, and the importance of consuming fresh, locally grown produce. Michael and Marc discussed business issues, sustainability, and inspiring people to do good in the world. Michael introduced Marc and gave him the opportunity to share about his work. The conversation was expected to last between 15 and 20 minutes, and Michael encouraged an organic and authentic discussion. Marc's last name, Plinka, was clarified for Michael's reference.     Year-Round Crop Growing for Food Security The chemical engineer speaker shared their vision of improving food production and sustainability by growing crops year-round. Recalling his childhood experiences with seasonal food scarcity, Michael expressed appreciation for the speaker's work and highlighted the importance of food production in feeding a growing global population. Both agreed on the potential of their approach to mitigate food shortages and prevent starvation.     Fresh Produce, Sustainability, and Education Marc discussed the importance of producing and consuming fresh, flavorful produce all year round, particularly in colder climates. The speaker emphasized the focus on sustainability for future generations. Michael concurred, highlighting the significance of good taste and texture in vegetables and the positive impact this can have on overall health and well-being. Both agreed on the importance of early education in developing healthy food habits, with Marc sharing a personal example of how growing vegetables in school influenced their son's future cooking habits.     Benefits of Raised Bed Gardens and Greenhouses Marc discussed the benefits of raised bed gardens and greenhouses in educational facilities, highlighting their potential to teach people about food growth and sustainability. Michael concurred, emphasizing the value of learning how to cook and combine food ingredients. He also pointed out the importance of growing one's food to self-sustainability, especially during potential shortages or supply chain issues. Michael further shared his appreciation for community gardens, particularly in impoverished areas, to provid