Cornell University ’s Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering ( GLASE ) pool has announced that the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture ( NIFA ) is indue in a GLASE workforce evolution initiative .
The Empowering Greenhouse Resiliency with an Optimized Workforce ( E - GROW ) labor is design to root on and develop young person competency in agrarian technology ( AgTech ) and Controlled Environment Agriculture ( CEA ) . In partnership with seven undertaking collaborators and ten mediate and high school across four U.S. states , E - GROW will launch a credential program , preparing the next propagation for careers in the rapidly develop field of CEA .
Gretchen Schimelpfenig , Executive Director of GLASE said : " Young people are a solution to the glasshouse industry ’s labor challenge . CEA offers a vehicle for STEM education and presents an interesting career chance for youth to project for themselves . GLASE is dilate our believable education and training model to serve learners entering the workforce development pipeline . "
The project aims to bridge the crack between technology and agribusiness , specifically concentrate on mechanisation in nursery mood control , robotics and AI for crop skill , and free energy and economical benchmarking of perpendicular farms . Through non - conventional educational modules and existential learnedness , E - GROW seeks to attract tech - savvy STEM student and foster a mysterious understanding of AgTech in food for thought output .
Manuela Zamora , Executive Director of NY Sun Works say : " It is imperative we provide educational opportunities that upgrade students ' apprehension of technologies , include in agriculture , that will create a more sustainable and resilient future . "
aviate the futurity workforceStarting in ten schools across New York , Pennsylvania , Virginia , and Wyoming , E - GROW will reach out between 500 and 1,000 students throughout the projection . The political platform places a particular emphasis on engage student populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields , include rural youth , downhearted - income students , young women , cultural minorities , and individuals with disability .
Dr. Neil Mattson , Professor at Cornell University , summate , " GLASE and Cornell University are pleased to lead this interdisciplinary task to take and evolve the next genesis of agriculture technology leadership . Whether or not a student ultimately pursues a life history in CEA , we trust this project can be a useful springboard for start bookman engage in plant science , technology , and electronic computer scientific discipline . We are also pleased with the school and academic partnerships this project brings together in New York , Pennsylvania , Virginia , and Wyoming . "
Crystal Huff , Director of AgWorks at CCA , a thousand through 12 public cyber charter schooltime serving more than 30,000 students and their families throughout Pennsylvania said : " CCA is dedicate to ensuring that the 21st - century workforce has the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the produce need and need of our acquire agriculture diligence . "
As part of the pilot , students will work toward gain a CEA credentials , equip them with the skills and knowledge to enter the growing AgTech industry . A mentor meshing of industry professionals and pedantic experts will take scholar through the curriculum , providing hands - on discover opportunity and career insights .
Collaborative effort to drive innovationFunded by the Food and Agriculture Non - formal Education ( FANE ) political platform , E - GROW bring together partners from higher education and spring chicken growing sector to produce a multi - faceted learning experience . The task will leverage be research on CEA and AgTech to identify gaps in workforce developing and education , tailoring check materials to address these needs .
Ian Kanski , Director of the Center for Agricultural Research at the University of Harrisburg adds " CEA provides a singular ' keep laboratory ' for learner to experience and utilise a encompassing readiness of science and technology disciplines , developing skill and interest in some the most important technical field for the come economy . "
educatee will absorb in capstone project , exhibit their competency and showcasing how AgTech can improve food production and support local saving . These projection , along with outreach textile , seek to construct public confidence in CEA and AgTech by illustrating the tangible benefits of engineering - driven solid food system of rules .
Aiming for foresighted - term impactThe E - GROW initiative is designed with sustainability in mind . Over four age , project partners will develop and refine a scalable educational model that can be replicated across other school and states . Feedback from pilot schools will help to assure that the programme meets accreditation monetary standard and can grow into a national CEA workforce credentialing program .
For more data : Greenhouse Lighting & Systems Engineering - GLASEglase.org
