the following is a listing of numbers corresponding to a particular element referred to herein . the present invention is not limited to the described examples components and configurations : 4 . sensor array ( s ) inside growing area / volume ( e . g ., wireless , air t , rh , vpd , par , ec , ph , tds , do ) 6 . light source ( s ) module ( s ) ( t - 8 , t - 12 , t - 5 fluorescent ; led ; hid ; incandescent ; mv ), led - associated drivers 7 . light diffusing panel ( s ) or colored lenses ( plastic , glass , metal , composite , synthetic , etc .) with orifices or fixtures for airflow 13 . drawer / shelving hardware to open and close and support growing plane / flood tray w / products . 29 . exhaust system from equipment area ( ballasts ) ( e . g ., exhaust fan from electrical area × 2 ) 32 . uv sterilizing module ( s ) ( e . g ., sterilized unit that uses technologies such as uv , ozone , chemicals , etc .) 33 . injector board ( s ) ( e . g ., injector ( s ), particulate filter ( s ), pressure gauge ( s ), inline sensor ( s )— ec , ph — misc . fittings ) 43 . interior cover / door ( like a virus screen or pre entry — if box opened , contents still not exposed ) 57 . visual detection system ( camera , track , lenses ( e . g ., ir , uv , etc .) referring now to fig1 - 42 , the present invention features a self - contained semi - automated production system 100 for culturing plants and other organisms in a controlled environment . the system 100 may be used in a variety of environments including but not limited to farms , yards , fields , warehouses or buildings , and the like . the system 100 can be easily transported from one location to another ( e . g ., because of the size of the system 100 and exterior shell 49 ). a user can engage in activities such as seeding and harvesting , and the system 100 of the present invention performs the necessary tasks for cultivating the plants or organisms . for example , the system 100 can control conditions including but not limited to light , temperature , relative humidity , carbon dioxide concentration , irrigation , and the like , via internal algorithms and programs . without wishing to limit the present invention to any theory or mechanism , it is believed that the system 100 of the present invention is advantageous because little agricultural knowledge and experience is required of a user to grow plants and organisms with this system 100 . also , since the system 100 is contained , production of plants , crops , and other organisms can occur continuously , independent of the external climate and conditions . the system 100 of the present invention comprises an outer shell 49 . in some embodiments , the exterior shell 49 is similar to a shipping container , which is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art , however the exterior shell 49 is not limited to a shipping container . the exterior shell 49 may be constructed in a variety of sizes , for example sizes appropriate for small and large - scale use . an interior shell is disposed ( e . g ., slidably disposed ) in the exterior shell 49 . as shown in fig1 through fig4 , the system 100 may comprise one or more power sources . the power source , for example , may comprise an alternative energy - generating component to create an off - grid or grid - tied system such as one or more photovoltaic panels 55 . one or more access points ( e . g ., doors 50 ) are disposed in the exterior shell 49 . the shell 49 may further comprise a variety of other components , for example for providing strength and / or insulation ( e . g ., for helping to control the internal environmental conditions accurately ). as shown in fig1 through fig4 , insulating paint 48 may be coated on the exterior shell 49 . in some embodiments , the system 100 further comprises a weather station 52 , a gfs tracking and communications component 53 , and / or a computer control system 54 . referring now to fig5 , the system 100 may comprise an interior shell 47 . the interior shell 47 may provide additional insulation for the system 100 ( e . g ., resistance to entry / exit or heating or cooling ) and / or provide additional strength to the system 100 . a chemical - resistant liner 46 may be disposed in the interior shell 47 , allowing the unit to be effectively cleaned and sterilized in preparation for use or modification of the system without damaging the exterior shell 49 . various attachment or fitting components 44 may be disposed on the outside of the interior shell 47 , allowing the interior shell 47 to be slid or mounted into the exterior shell 49 . the interior shell 47 provides a means of mounting growing modules and other materials needed for the system 100 . for example , mounting components 45 may be disposed on the inner walls of the interior shell 47 for mounting growing modules , irrigation components , light components , and the like . the present invention is not limited to a configuration with an exterior shell and an interior shell . for example , in some embodiments , the system 100 comprises a single shell , and in some embodiments , the system 100 comprises a plurality of shells . the system 100 of the present invention comprises a plurality of growing modules , which are small isolated containment units . the system 100 creates micro - climates ( e . g ., with specific environmental parameters ) inside the various growing modules ( e . g ., see fig1 through fig1 ) installed in the system 100 , and each growing module can be used to grow a specific plant or organism ( or certain groups of plants or organisms ), allowing the specific grown requirements of those plants or organisms to be met . the artificial micro - climates created allows for growth of these plants and organisms in non - traditional environments such as buildings and other urban settings . the growing modules allow for efficient control of parameters such as temperature , light , humidity , carbon dioxide concentration , and the like , because the growing modules have a small volume of space . the environmental parameters are also monitored via sensors 4 for feedback control . the system 100 may also be designed to provide the user information about the plant or organism as it progresses , either for educational purposes or to help the user to make decisions , e . g ., to modify conditions or to harvest , etc . the ability to instantaneously adjust environmental settings based on what is occurring inside the growing area and regulates the immediate conditions of the aerial cultivation environment surrounding the organism , e . g ., using components 10 , 27 , and 30 , allows for almost complete control of its culture and manipulation , modification , and / or response . through the use of external weather stations ( e . g ., components 52 and 53 ), the system 100 may opt to utilize external conditions for heating and cooling the device , as well as using data for acclimatizing plants to external conditions where and when appropriate . usage of passive cooling and heating will increase the efficiency of the device and lower its power requirements . using lighting sources in the growing module ( e . g ., component 9 ) such as , but not limited to solar collectors , leds , and fluorescent lights ( e . g ., components 6 , 7 , 8 , 42 ), the culture and manipulation of plants and other organisms is made possible without use of sunlight . and , such light sources allow the system 100 to manipulate the light conditions as desired ( e . g ., alternative light cycles , etc .). light diffusing panels 7 may be used to achieve uniform lighting throughout the growing module , while able to provide cooling and additional airflow ( possibly directed ) to the aerial portion of the growing environment . additional heat generated by the light source may be separated by the diffusing panel and then ventilated away from the growing environment ( e . g ., via component 8 ). removing excess heat reduces the load on the air conditioning units , creating a more efficient system . controlling the light output reaching the organism allows precise and accurate control of the plant &# 39 ; s / organism &# 39 ; s development through exposure to specific wavelengths of light emitted including but not limited to uv , par , and ir spectrum . since the amount of light needed varies per plant / organism , the system 100 of the present invention integrates algorithms contained within the computer control systems 54 . these algorithms and programs communicate with sensors 4 inside the growing modules to control light intensity , duration , color , quality , and other factors to yield the desired type of growth . this combination of automatic environmental control and sensing allows users to operate the device without prior knowledge of the plant &# 39 ; s / organism &# 39 ; s optimal conditions . computer control systems 54 coupled with sensors 4 ( e . g ., see components 30 , 33 , 37 , 52 , 53 , 55 , 57 , etc .) monitor real - time parameters including but not limited 10 : air temperature ( at ), solution temperature , rh (%), par ( umol m - 2 s - 1 ), co2 , dissolved oxygen , and other parameters , in addition to visual monitoring through camera and other imaging techniques . communications between sensors and the computer control systems 54 allow for automated control of the conditions required for growth of the selected organism based on pre - programmed set points so the user requires no prior experience or knowledge . alternatively , a user may enter alternate parameters or set points . integrating visual monitoring allows for pre - programmed decision software to completely control plant growth and reduces the user &# 39 ; s interaction . the computer and other control systems allow remote monitoring , access , and control to be accomplished through terminals , computers , laptops , pda &# 39 ; s , and other communication devices . remote access allows user interaction and troubleshooting to occur in a non - contact manner , helping to eliminate disturbing of the production process . the system 100 of the present invention integrates hydroponic methods on a controlled recirculating system and allows for high - efficiency usage of inputs such as water and fertilizer . some examples of hydroponic methods ( e . g ., “ deep - flow hydroponics ”) have demonstrated reductions in water usage , for example by over about 50 fold . recirculating methods increase the efficiency of water use by re - using treated water and preventing it from running out of the system and into the ground . using an internal irrigation system ( e . g ., see components 19 , 23 , 31 , 33 - 40 ), water may be re - circulated continuously throughout the system . by treating with sterilizing lamps or anti - microbial lights and / or ozone - generating systems ( e . g ., see component 32 ), nutrient solution and water may be recirculated without introduction of pests , pathogens , and other organisms that may develop or be introduced otherwise . other treatments ( e . g ., chemical additives ) may be used with the system 100 of the present invention . the recirculation of nutrient solution and its sterilization using the system 100 may provide for optimal water usages and higher efficiency of usage for fertilizer as well . the following the disclosures of the following u . s . patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein : u . s . pat . no . 2008 / 10295400 . various modifications of the invention , in addition to those described herein , will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description . such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims . each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety . although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention , it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the invention . the examples provided below are merely examples to further clarify the present invention , and do not limit the scope of the invention in any way . 1 . obtain clean materials needed for germination : seed , substrate , tray & amp ; cover . a . use 98 / 200 cell rockwool slabs and place inside black plastic germination tray . i . ( optional ) rinse rockwool substrate with water for 1 minute . ii . use jiffy preformed media and place in tray 2 . pour out the seed desired , and then seal the package and place back inside the refrigerator . i . thermal dormancy — high temperatures , above 18 c ( optimal germination t ) may have an adverse effect on lettuce seed germination . this can be reversed , however the cost and time to do so may be prohibitive . instead , good seed management practices can prevent thermodormancy . a . pelleted — place 1 seed per cell in pre - stamped hole b . naked — place 2 - 3 seeds in pre - stamped hole . c . ( optional ) smear one handful of vermiculite over the slab filling each hole lightly . use more if necessary . a . if un - irrigated , place clear cover over tray . b . if irrigated , check irrigation settings and function a . ensure that the slab stay wet , but not soaking . b . ensure no fungal growth or other 6 . begin irrigating with full strength nutrient solution 3 days after germination of at least 90 % of the seeds . 7 . 12 days after sowing , select plants that are uniform in size , shape , and leaf number as best as possible . 8 . check dfhs system settings to ensure set points are correct for crop . 9 . check tanks daily for ec / ph / do and monitor accordingly . 10 . harvest plants a . remove dead leaves or unsightly parts of the product b . store in humid , cool area out of direct sunlight a . a — market acceptable ; 150 g b . b — not market acceptable , but still usable ; 75 g - 150 g c . c — not usable , feed , compost or trash ; & lt ; 75 g a . a — market acceptable b . b — not market acceptable , but still usable c . c — not usable , feed , compost or trash