Key Takeaways
- Resource Innovation Institute (RII), in partnership with The Ohio State University (OSU), has introduced GrowBuild™, the first national training certificate for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
- The 16-hour online curriculum, “CEA Building & Biosystems: Horticulture Essentials,” is specifically designed for tradespeople, engineers, and construction professionals.
- Participants who complete the self-paced program receive a Certificate of Completion issued by OSU.
- The program aims to bridge the gap between horticulture and the technical trades required to build and maintain modern greenhouse facilities.
National CEA Certification via Resource Innovation Institute
The Resource Innovation Institute and the Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) at The Ohio State University have announced a new professional development program. This initiative, known as GrowBuild™, provides a foundational 16-hour curriculum covering plant science, cultivation systems, and climate control technologies. The program is hosted on OSU’s Canvas platform and is priced at $799, with discounts available for RII members.
Training the Technical Workforce at Resource Innovation Institute
Unlike traditional horticulture degrees, this program focuses on the engineers and tradespeople—such as electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians—who construct and maintain CEA facilities. The goal is to allow these professionals to apply their existing technical skills to the specialized requirements of indoor farming.
“This training is different because it’s not designed for growers,” said Rob Eddy, Horticulturist at Resource Innovation Institute and course instructor. “This is for the design and construction industry and tradespeople… to learn horticulture essentials. It allows them to expand their existing skills into a new industry”.
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