This preliminary mixed methods study utilized an online survey and phone interviews to examine the benefits, challenges and user experience of farmers utilizing hydroponic shipping container farms (HSCFs). Due to the novelty of this crop production method, and thus the relatively small number of commercial farmers adopting this technology, 12 commercial HSCF businesses, of 46 identified online and via social media, participated in this study. Because population size was small, and 11 of the 12 farms had been in business a very short amount of time (two years or less), the following results are preliminary. The results showed that HSCFs gave farmers the ability to produce locally, sustainably and in new areas. Seventy-five percent of the farmers (n = 9) strongly agreed or agreed that the HSCF helped their farm become more productive, did everything they expected it to do and was efficient. Most participants were satistifed (n = 8; 66.7%) with their HSCFs; one was very satisfied (8.3%), while others were neutral (n = 1; 8.3%) and dissatisfied (n = 2; 16.7%). Participant expectations were most met regarding incorporation of technology, reduced resource use and efficiency; however, 50.0% of the farmers (n = 6) disagreed or strongly disagreed that the HSCF was profitable. Some farmers reported that HSCFs are efficient in production, although their units were not as productive and profitable, nor as user friendly as they expected. Regarding HSCF challenges, power usage and startup costs were ranked most highly, while finding labor was the least challenging. Following phone interviews with three profitable farmers, it was revealed that their success was due to growing local food that was in demand by their community. While this study identified several challenges of HSCFs, this technology may have benefits, for example in areas with limited arable land and water resources, and may offer some farmers a way to be profitable, especially by tapping the growing consumer demand for local produce.

中文翻译：

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确定水培集装箱农场业务的影响因素、好处和挑战：农民看法的快照

这项初步的混合方法研究利用在线调查和电话采访来检查农民利用水培集装箱农场 (HSCF) 的好处、挑战和用户体验。由于这种作物生产方法的新颖性，因此采用该技术的商业农民数量相对较少，在网上和通过社交媒体确定的 46 家商业 HSCF 企业中，有 12 家商业 HSCF 企业参与了这项研究。由于人口规模较小，并且 12 个农场中有 11 个的经营时间很短（两年或更短），因此以下结果是初步的。结果表明，HSCF 使农民能够在当地、可持续地和新地区进行生产。百分之七十五的农民（n= 9) 强烈同意或同意 HSCF帮助他们的农场变得更有生产力，做到了他们期望的一切和很有效率。大多数参与者表示满意（n= 8; 66.7%) 与他们的 HSCF；一位非常满意（8.3%），而其他人则非常满意中性的(n= 1; 8.3%）和不满意(n= 2; 16.7%）。参与者在技术整合、减少资源使用和效率方面的期望得到了最大程度的满足；然而，50.0% 的农民（n= 6) 不同意或强烈不同意 HSCF 是盈利的。一些农民报告说，HSCF 的生产效率很高，尽管他们的单位没有预期的生产力和盈利能力，也没有用户友好。关于 HSCF 挑战，电力使用和启动成本排名最高，而寻找劳动力的挑战最小。在对三位盈利的农民进行电话采访后，发现他们的成功是由于种植了当地社区需要的食物。虽然这项研究确定了 HSCF 的几个挑战，但这项技术可能会带来好处，例如在可耕地和水资源有限的地区，并且可能为一些农民提供一种盈利方式，特别是通过挖掘消费者对当地农产品不断增长的需求。