MacGyver skills help grow indoor farming business
Michael Currin promotes food security as the CEO and head of product at Homefarm
Tell me about Homefarm.
Homefarm is a proudly South African start-up that designs, develops, commercialises and sells indoor farming systems. Our indoor farms are rapidly deployable, fully automated systems that enable reliable, highly efficient, year-round farming.
Its automated features make farming accessible to anybody, regardless of age or experience. Simply plug them into the electrical and water mains (if you have access) and let the system take your crops from seed to harvest all on their own.
Homefarm caters to the consumer and commercial markets through its range of farms available on its online website and instore.
Whether people would like to grow foods they cannot access because of where they live, time of year, if they are running a small business or simply enjoy hobby gardening, Homefarm has the system.
So the farms produce enough to be commercially viable?
Yes. Our largest system is capable of growing up to 15kg/month, enough to supply decent-sized commercial kitchens, such as catering restaurants, schools, hotels, game lodges and corporate cafeterias. We also have agri-entrepreneurs who use our systems to supply produce to their markets.
What led to you founding Homefarm?
While studying my master’s in innovation and product design, I was interested in looking at how urban, suburban and periurban communities can be empowered to grow more of their own food, thereby decentralising the supply chain and making it more resilient in the face of climate change and social unrest.
I came across the concept of indoor farming and I knew that it was a possible technology to help improve the resilience of my research target users.
After completing my master’s, I continued researching the indoor farming industry and began developing prototypes of a consumer, appliance-like product.
In 2016 three co-founders and I went to work developing our first product, the Homefarm Appliance. We researched and developed for two years and launched into the SA market at the beginning of 2019.
What is your morning routine?
Apart from a good, strong coffee, before I step out the door for work I send out updates or messages to my team through our company’s communication channels to ensure priorities are aligned for the day.
I often start my work day with meetings or by doing rounds with our suppliers so it is important to know my team is focusing on the right things each morning while I may not be in the studio.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I loved drawing and making things. I had little idea there was an actual job or career path that could include these two hobbies. I also dreamt of being MacGyver because I loved how he was able to work his way out of trouble using his creativity and ingenuity.
What is your go-to career advice?
Understand your strengths. Identify jobs that appeal to you and play to your strengths. Use your curiosity to learn and develop yourself.
Expose yourself to people who you admire and want to emulate and learn from them.
Work on your communication skills. They will take you far.