01
Listen & Assess
We start by understanding your site, goals, and constraints such as land access, climate, labor, and what you're hoping to learn.
Johnny Autoseed Research
Seeking research partnerships
We're looking for opportunities to study backyard-scale automation, crop mixes, and local logistics. If you have land, facilities, or community projects where indoor farming research could add value, we'd like to discuss potential collaboration.
Interested in hosting a trial? We collaborate with land owners, construction firms, housing co-ops, schools, and community groups.
From sketch to harvest data
How we approach research collaborations
We bring curiosity, documentation rigor, and a willingness to test ideas in real-world constraints. Our approach is collaborative: partners define the problems, we help design experiments and gather data.
02
Design Together
Based on observed practices and available resources, we outline trial parameters, measurement methods, and success criteria.
03
Document & Test
Run experiments in your space with careful logging that captures crop performance, resource use, and any unexpected challenges.
04
Share Findings
Produce clear reports and practical takeaways. What worked, what didn't, and what we'd adjust for the next cycle.
What we're exploring
Areas of interest for research partnerships
We're interested in testing and documenting these areas with partners who have suitable sites or existing projects.
Space planning
Modeling layouts for raised beds, containers, and micro-farms to optimize footprint and access.
Lighting strategies
Testing low-cost LED setups and light schedules for different crops and indoor environments.
Irrigation & nutrition
Comparing simple watering systems, fertigation, and soil mixes under real-world conditions.
Data collection
Low-cost sensors and documentation methods to track crop performance and environmental factors.
Automation potential
Identifying tasks where simple robotics or automation could reduce labor in small-scale settings.
Open documentation
Creating shareable reports, datasets, and practical guides from trial results.
Real-world constraints
Learning from what actually happens
Lab-perfect conditions don't exist in backyards or community spaces. We're interested in studying how crops perform when real people manage them in real environments, complete with all the messiness that entails.
- How plants respond to inconsistent care schedules and irregular access.
- Low-cost sensor data collection methods anyone can replicate.
- Documentation practices that make findings useful for others in similar contexts.
Observation over perfection. We document what actually happens when constraints are real and resources are limited.
Research opportunities we're seeking
Example partnerships we'd like to explore
These are the types of collaborations we're looking for; if you have a similar space or project, we'd love to talk.
Indoor Space Trials
Working with building owners or residents to test small-scale indoor growing in underused spaces like basements, storage rooms, or garages.
Rooftop & Outdoor Sites
Partnering with property managers, housing co-ops, or schools to study rooftop or courtyard growing with simple raised-bed setups.
Community & Educational Projects
Collaborating with makerspaces, community centers, or food-justice groups to embed trials into existing educational or outreach programs.
Research themes
Questions we'd like to explore with partners
These are the types of questions that interest us; if you're working on similar problems or have space to test ideas, we'd welcome the conversation.
Fast-cycle greens
Can quick-turn crops like lettuces and herbs work reliably in small indoor spaces with minimal intervention?
- Lighting needs for 21–30 day cycles
- Managing watering when access is inconsistent
- Crop selection for low ceilings and small footprints
Local food logistics
How do you move produce a few blocks instead of a few states, and what does that cost in time and resources?
- Delivery models for ultra-short distances
- Storage and handling for micro-scale operations
- Coordination across multiple small growing sites
Educational integration
Can indoor trials serve dual purposes, producing food and teaching STEM, biology, or sustainability concepts?
- Simple data collection students can manage
- Crop choices that deliver quick, visible results
- Documentation practices that support learning goals
Have a space or project where we could explore these questions together? We'd welcome a conversation about potential collaboration.