Key Takeaways:
- GLASE, in partnership with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), launches the E-GROW project to inspire youth interest in AgTech and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
- The program, starting in ten middle and high schools across four U.S. states, will prepare 500 to 1,000 students for careers in the rapidly evolving field of CEA.
- E-GROW emphasizes reaching underrepresented populations in STEM, including rural youth, low-income students, young women, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
- Students will work toward earning a CEA certificate, gaining skills in greenhouse climate control, robotics, AI for crop science, and vertical farm benchmarking.
Cornell University’s Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium has announced the launch of the Empowering Greenhouse Resiliency with an Optimized Workforce (E-GROW) project. Supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the initiative aims to inspire youth interest in AgTech and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) through a certification program designed to address the agriculture industry’s workforce needs. E-GROW will engage students in innovative learning experiences related to technology-driven food production, providing them with the skills necessary for careers in the growing CEA sector.
Program Overview
In collaboration with seven project partners and ten middle and high schools across New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wyoming, the E-GROW initiative will pilot educational modules that focus on automation in greenhouse management, robotics and AI for crop science, and energy and economic benchmarking in vertical farming. By integrating these technologies into the classroom, the program seeks to connect tech-savvy students with career opportunities in the agriculture industry.
Gretchen Schimelpfenig, Executive Director of GLASE, emphasized the importance of youth engagement in addressing labor challenges within the greenhouse industry:
“Young people are a solution to the greenhouse industry’s labor challenges. CEA offers a vehicle for STEM education and presents an interesting career opportunity for youth to envision for themselves.”
Reaching Underrepresented Groups in STEM
The E-GROW project places a special emphasis on reaching underrepresented populations in STEM fields, including rural youth, low-income students, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The program aims to attract between 500 and 1,000 students and provide them with hands-on learning opportunities through capstone projects and experiential education in AgTech.
Dr. Neil Mattson, Professor at Cornell University, highlighted the potential of the project to inspire future leaders in AgTech: “Whether or not a student ultimately pursues a career in CEA, we believe this project can be a useful springboard for engaging students in plant science, engineering, and computer science.”
Collaborative Effort and Mentorship
The E-GROW initiative brings together academic institutions, industry professionals, and educators to create a multi-faceted learning experience. A network of mentors will guide students through the certification program, offering practical insights into the AgTech industry and providing opportunities for hands-on projects that showcase how technology can enhance food production and sustainability.
Manuela Zamora, Executive Director of NY Sun Works, discussed the collaborative nature of the program: “We are thrilled to collaborate with GLASE and partners on this initiative, which will enable youth, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to build skills and prepare for careers in the growing field of controlled environment agriculture.”
Building the Future Workforce
As part of the pilot program, students will work toward earning a CEA certificate, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the AgTech industry. Dr. Kaylee South, Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech, emphasized the importance of creating accessible pathways for young students into the workforce: “CEA training pathways for middle and high school students are a crucial component of the workforce training pipeline for the growing CEA industry.”
The project will leverage existing research on CEA and AgTech to identify gaps in education and workforce development, tailoring the learning modules to meet industry standards and address the needs of the future agricultural workforce.
Expanding Reach and Long-Term Impact
The E-GROW initiative is designed for long-term sustainability, with plans to expand the program beyond the pilot schools. Over the next four years, project partners will refine and scale the educational model to create a national CEA workforce credentialing program that can be replicated across other states and institutions.
Dr. Liping Wang and Dr. Anthony Denzer from the University of Wyoming noted the broader impact of the project: “Forming strong partnerships and creating shared learning experiences with the K-12 education community are key to promoting the growth of CEA in Wyoming and across the nation, leading to economic opportunities, jobs, and more local food production.”
With support from the Food and Agriculture Non-formal Education (FANE) program, the E-GROW initiative aims to equip the next generation of AgTech leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the growing demands of the agricultural sector.
