while we are discussing new farming techniques

Recent blogs have been discussing new techniques for farming.  This reminded me of the first time I was introduced to the idea of hydroponics and other farming techniques that do not use excess water, land or nutrients.  And I found out about these techniques in the weirdest place possible.  

Thats right Walt Disney World. 

pumpkin mickey...still kinda creepy

The "Living in the land ride" and the "behind the seeds" tour actually show some of the different ways that Disney is trying  to make "the world a healthier place to live in." The ride and tour show you Disney's steps in Aeroponics,Nutrient film technique, inter crop techniques, vertical growing techniques, aquaculture, Biotechnology Lab, integrated Pest Management Lab.  In fact their "tomato tree" has been named the most productive tomato plant because of their innovative way of making a tomato plant grow taller and then rest on an constructed net so that it can grow outward.  Weird right? And they grow some plants (mostly melons or anything that can easily hold a shape) to look like mickey mouse heads.  That way when you order something at a restaurant you can act like you beheaded Mickey. 

Tour guides make hilarious candid photo expressions

eggplant tree

hydroponic growth of lettuce and cabbage, quite useful if your soil sucks and you have the water/nutrients for it. It also maximizes space use

a system where they spray the roots of plants with water and nutrients.  It decreases waste water  because the plant is not sitting in the water

the crops all use different nutrients so they can safely use the water, not kill each other off and save space

once again the entire point is no soil and maximum use of space

The most productive tomato plant in the world according to Guinness book of world records

pumpkin trees

use of sand to efficiently plant very large radishes

The plants grow really large due to the excess of nutrients in the water

Their hydroponic systems and their call to not use pesticides on their crops is very pleasing.  They lessened their impact on the environment by growing indoors and decreasing water use.  They could even help countries with poor soil by spreading these practices or finding ways to reduce the costs.  It also pleases me that the food they grow in these greenhouses (that mimic the different habitats of the world to make the ride cooler) goes to the restaurants in Epcot.  In fact when you leave they suggest eating at those restaurants so that you can know where your food went.  The aquaculture was even interesting because they had an alligator area meant to help restore the alligators developing Disney wiped out (even though the tanks were kind of dirty, but that's the marine biologist in me).  
It was just nice to remember, after all our readings, that not all big corporations are completely heartless (although Disney has many transgressions). Although these techniques don't replace good old fashioned farming techniques and the increase need for nutrients/creepily big vegetables  is a difficult hurdle.  These practices could be helpful around the world and I applaud the idea.
So Dr. Burkett you can feel less dirty about taking your children to Walt Disney world as long as you only ate fish and hung out in Epcot mostly.  :  )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_with_the_Land
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/living-with-the-land/ 
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/behind-the-seeds/