4 temperature and humidity sensors across 2 tunnel houses, sending near real-time data 24/7
“With Scopious and the Milesight sensors, we get a text alert
when it starts getting too warm in the tunnels. We’re now not
constantly checking in person, which is a great thing on our
days off! It’s simple and it works.” — Elle Farr, Co-owner, Vagabond Vege
Background
Vagabond Vege is a small-scale market garden based in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand, dedicated to growing seasonal, spray-free produce using regenerative practices. Supplying local markets and their community with fresh vegetables, the business depends heavily on maintaining optimal growing conditions inside its tunnel houses. During warmer months, internal temperatures can spike rapidly, posing a threat to plant health, yields, and the team’s ability to manage operations efficiently.
To address this, Vagabond Vege partnered with Scopious and implemented an IoT-based remote monitoring solution using Milesight
sensors. The result: near real-time visibility into tunnel conditions, improved crop resilience, and reclaimed flexibility in day-to-day
operations.
Challenge
Before working with Scopious, managing tunnel house temperatures at Vagabond Vege was manual and time-consuming. On hot days,
the tunnels could heat up quickly and unpredictably, requiring frequent in-person checks. Without a way to remotely monitor conditions, the team faced a difficult choice: either interrupt their day repeatedly to check temperatures or risk crop damage from overheating.
This not only impacted plant health and reduced yields but also limited the team’s ability to work from off-site or take planned time off. In extreme cases, the lack of visibility into environmental conditions inside the tunnels created operational stress and inefficiency.
Solution Approach
Vagabond Vege deployed a straightforward, low-maintenance solution using Milesight temperature and humidity sensors connected via
LoRaWAN to the Scopious platform. Sensors were installed inside each tunnel house, allowing for real-time data collection and monitoring.
The setup process was simple, with minimal technical overhead, and users could configure temperature thresholds independently.
Through the Scopious platform, Vagabond Vege receives automated alerts whenever the tunnel environment crosses defined thresholds.
While SMS is not available with Scopious IoT, email notifications were set up to trigger third party software to send notifications to a
Whatsapp group, ensuring critical updates reach the team wherever they are in near real-time.
Results
Since implementing the solution, Vagabond Vege has experienced significant
improvements in both efficiency and peace of mind:
Remote Monitoring: Real-time insights mean the team no longer needs to be on-site to stay informed.
Proactive Response: Alerts allow quick intervention when tunnel conditions rise unexpectedly.
Reduced Crop Stress: Consistently managing high temperatures has improved plant health and yields.
Increased Flexibility: Staff can now plan time off or work remotely without compromising crop oversight.
Recommendations for others considering the solution:
For small-scale growers like Vagabond Vege, technology doesn’t need to be
complex to make a big impact. Scopious IoT delivered a reliable, easy-to-use
solution that fit seamlessly into their workflow, protecting crops, saving time,
and enabling smarter, more sustainable farming practices.
