Key Takeaways
- Innovation Agritech Group installs its GrowFrame360™ system at University Centre Sparsholt.
- The project is supported by the UK Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund.
- The installation aims to support education, research, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
- GrowFrame360™ offers aeroponic cultivation of up to 3,250 plants per frame.
- The project follows a similar deployment at the University of Essex.
Innovation Agritech Group Expands Academic Presence with GrowFrame360™ Installation
Innovation Agritech Group (IAG) has announced a new collaboration with Sparsholt College Group’s University Centre Sparsholt. The project includes the installation of IAG’s flagship vertical farming system, the GrowFrame360™, within a converted agricultural building on the college’s Hampshire campus.
The installation is designed to provide students and faculty with access to aeroponic vertical farming technologies that do not rely on sunlight, soil, or pesticides. According to IAG, this closed-loop irrigation system uses significantly less water than traditional agriculture and is capable of growing a variety of crops including leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and medicinal plants.
Innovation Agritech Group Collaboration Focuses on Education and Research
The vertical farming unit will primarily be used by students aged 16 and older. It is expected to support hands-on learning, serve as a demonstration site for local schools, and enhance the college’s PhD-level research initiatives. The academic package includes a GrowFrame360™ unit and separate areas for germination, propagation, and operational activities.
Funding for the installation was provided through the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), with additional investment from University Centre Sparsholt for site preparation.
Julie Milburn, Principal and CEO at Sparsholt College Group, stated: “The addition of our vertical farming unit, along with our existing green technology, ensures that Sparsholt remains at the forefront of innovation. We are proud to be redefining the student experience through the integration of cutting-edge technology.”
Future Applications and Broader Educational Goals
This initiative is part of Innovation Agritech Group’s broader strategy to support agricultural education through its IAG Educate program. The company previously installed the GrowFrame360™ at the University of Essex, where it is currently used for research and instruction.
Jaz Singh, Founder and CEO of IAG, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to see our GrowFrame360™ installed at University Centre Sparsholt. This collaboration represents exactly what we set out to achieve with IAG Educate—providing future farmers, scientists, and agritech leaders with hands-on access to cutting-edge technology.”
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