IALR to support multi-state CEA student certificate program

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing in a workforce development initiative from Cornell University’s Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium.

The Empowering Greenhouse Resiliency with an Optimized Workforce (E-GROW) project is designed to inspire and develop youth competency in agricultural technology (AgTech) and controlled environment agriculture (CEA).

In partnership with seven project collaborators and ten middle and high schools across four U.S. states, E-GROW will launch a certificate program, preparing the next generation for careers in the rapidly evolving field of CEA.

“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. GLASE is expanding our credible education and training model to serve learners entering the workforce development pipeline," said GLASE Executive Director Gretchen Schimelpfenig.

The project will bridge the gap between technology and agriculture, specifically focusing on automation in greenhouse climate control, robotics and AI for crop science, and energy and economic benchmarking of vertical farms.

Through innovative, non-formal educational modules and experiential learning, E-GROW seeks to attract tech-savvy STEM students and foster a deeper understanding of AgTech in food production.

“Today’s youth are the scientists, innovators, farmers and decision-makers of tomorrow; it is imperative we provide educational opportunities that advance students’ understanding of technologies, including in agriculture, that will create a more sustainable and resilient future,” said NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora. “NY Sun Works is thrilled to collaborate with GLASE and partners on this initiative, which will enable youth, and in particular students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, to build skills and prepare for careers in the growing field of controlled environment agriculture.”

Piloting the future workforce

Starting in 10 schools across New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wyoming, E-GROW will reach between 500 and 1,000 students throughout the project.

The program places a particular emphasis on engaging student populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields, including rural youth, low-income students, young women, ethnic minorities and individuals with disabilities.

“GLASE and Cornell University are pleased to lead this interdisciplinary project to engage and develop the next generation of agriculture technology leaders. Whether or not a student ultimately pursues a career in CEA, we believe this project can be a useful springboard for getting students engaged in plant science, engineering and computer science. We are also pleased with the school and academic partnerships this project brings together in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wyoming," said Neil Mattson, professor at Cornell University.

“Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) is proud to be a partner in helping prepare today’s students to be the agricultural leaders of tomorrow,” said Crystal Huff, director of AgWorks at CCA, a K-12 public cyber charter school serving more than 30,000 students and their families throughout Pennsylvania. “CCA is committed to ensuring that the 21st-century workforce has the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the growing needs and demands of our evolving agriculture industry. We must stay ahead of the curve and ensure students are well-prepared for the future economy.”

As part of the pilot, students will work toward earning a CEA certificate, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to enter the growing AgTech industry. A robust mentoring network of industry professionals and academic experts will guide students through the program, providing hands-on learning opportunities and career insights.

“CEA training pathways for middle and high school students are a crucial component of the workforce training pipeline for the growing CEA industry,” said Kaylee South, assistant professor and extension specialist at Virginia Tech. “We are excited to work with the E-GROW project partners to develop and implement these pathways with an emphasis on engaging populations underrepresented in STEM fields. These educational tools will be key to providing knowledge and skills related to CEA and general exposure to agricultural technology.”

“The E-GROW project is a crucial step in preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s careers in CEA. By focusing on underserved and underrepresented groups, we are creating opportunities for young people to gain hands-on experience in a growing industry that is vital to the future of food production,” said Scott Lowman, vice president of applied research at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and co-director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center. “This program will help fill the skills gap and ensure that a diverse and capable workforce is ready to support the continued advancement of CEA technology and innovation.”

Collaborative effort to drive innovation

Funded by the Food and Agriculture Non-formal Education (FANE) program, E-GROW brings together partners from higher education and youth development sectors to create a multi-faceted learning experience. The project will leverage existing research on CEA and AgTech to identify gaps in workforce development and education, tailoring learning materials to address these needs.

“The University of Wyoming is thrilled to be part of this impactful project, inspiring future generations with modern indoor agriculture technologies. 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,” said Liping Wang and Anthony Denzer from the University of Wyoming.

Ian Kanski, director of the Center for Agricultural Research at the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, adds, “CEA provides a unique ‘living laboratory’ for learners to experience and apply a broad set of science and technology disciplines, developing skills and interest in some the most important technical fields for the coming economy. The E-GROW project led by Cornell is exactly the sort of multi-state and multi-institutional collaboration that’s needed as our education sector adapts to a changing food and agriculture landscape — and the Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability is proud to be a contributor.”

Students will engage in capstone projects, demonstrating their competencies and showcasing how AgTech can improve food production and support local economies. These projects, along with outreach materials, will help build public confidence in CEA and AgTech by illustrating the tangible benefits of technology-driven food systems.

David Ceaser, lead agronomist at Agritecture, said, “Agritecture is extremely pleased to be a part of the E-GROW project. Agriculture faces an aging-out problem worldwide, and we believe that engaging youth in CEA and technology-based agriculture is key to ensuring future generations of farmers.”

The E-GROW initiative is designed with sustainability in mind. Over four years, project partners will develop and refine a scalable educational model that can be replicated across other schools and states. Feedback from pilot schools will help to ensure that the program meets accreditation standards and can grow into a national CEA workforce credentialing program.

For more information on the E-GROW project, contact GLASE Extension Support Specialist, Matthew Del Buono at mjd378@cornell.edu and follow GLASE on LinkedIn.

GLASE was established in 2017 by Cornell University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the USDA and members of an Industry Advisory Board.