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Driving Economic Transformation

IALR & VT Receive GO VA Indoor Farming Grant

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IALR & VT Receive GO VA Indoor Farming Grant

IALR & VT Receive GO VA Indoor Farming Grant

Hydroponic lettuce is one of the plants undergoing research at the CEA Center, which combines engineering, plant science and computer-managed greenhouse control technologies.

IALR and the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement received a grant to help grow the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) sector in GO Virginia Region 3. The $77,053 grant will fund development of a strategy and roadmap for supporting industry growth and workforce development for CEA throughout the region. The effort will include an analysis of this emerging and dynamic agribusiness sector, including its industry and economic growth potential, while identifying needed facilities and infrastructure, workforce development issues, opportunities and applied research assets.

“A key outcome of the study will be to identify future needs and opportunities to support controlled agricultural production facilities and the underlying business investment for use by local and regional economic development and workforce development organizations and professionals,” said IALR Director of Applied Research Dr. Scott Lowman.

Controlled Environment Agriculture is an opportunity to attract and expand agribusiness investments. For instance, AeroFarms recently broke ground on a $53 million investment to build one of the largest aeroponic vertical farms in Danville. Nearby on IALR’s campus resides the focal point of the grant initiative, the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center, which is a partnership with Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Dr. South Joins CEA Innovation Center Team

Dr. South Joins CEA Innovation Center Team

Dr. Kaylee South has joined the research team at IALR as she fills the tenure-track faculty member position of Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. She will serve as an Assistant Professor and conduct research at the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center on IALR’s campus. She will bring with her funding for two graduate students and a post-doc to support CEA research efforts.

Dr. South holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Horticultural Science from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Crop Science from The Ohio State University. She is passionate about controlled environment plant production and specializes in investigating the use of beneficial microbes to improve greenhouse floriculture crop production and plant quality, which is beneficial as similar research is ongoing at the Virginia Tech-IALR CEA Innovation Center.

VT-IALR CEA Innovation Center Story Goes International

VT-IALR CEA Innovation Center Story Goes International

Virginia Tech recently published an in-depth article on how the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center at IALR promotes research and advancements in indoor farming to help feed an exponentially growing population in an ecofriendly manner. The article was published in international media outlets such as VerticalFarmDaily.com and HortiDaily.com.

The Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project between Virginia Tech and IALR. By developing strategic partnerships with both industry and academia, the goal of the Center is to conduct research and educational programming to develop, promote and advance the controlled environment agriculture sector in the U.S. and internationally as well as drive economic development in the Southern Virginia region.

Emily Zhou, a post-doctoral research associate with Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences , pollinates micro tomato flowers at the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center on IALR’s campus in Danville.

VT-IALR Controlled Environment Ag Center Ramps Up

VT-IALR Controlled Environment Ag Center Ramps Up

The Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is now fully operational and open for research, industry collaboration and outreach on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). A partnership with Virginia Tech (VT), the Center’s staff will develop, promote and advance the indoor farming market in the U.S. and worldwide.

The Center aligns with IALR’s mission of economic transformation by introducing an alternative farming method to area growers while serving as a research collaborator for indoor farming industry partners like AeroFarms, which recently broke ground in Danville (p. 4). The Center capitalizes on IALR’s expertise in applied research, education and talent development, advanced manufacturing, conferencing services and economic development. “The ultimate goal of the Center is economic development,” said Dr. Scott Lowman, IALR’s Director of Applied Research and Director of the Center. “As part of Virginia Tech’s SmartFarm Innovation Network, our team will strive to innovate indoor farming technology and to introduce it as a new high-tech industry in Southern Virginia.”

The Center uses hydroponic systems to deliver ideal amounts of water and nutrients for maximized plant growth and health. Lighting and other factors are controlled for optimal growth as well. Benefits include higher, quicker yield in a smaller space, unrestrictive growing locations and times, and healthier locally sourced food grown without chemicals.

Research will aim to benefit growers and the industry. Some experiments already being conducted include: growth rate studies of microgreens, microbeets and baby leaf lettuce inoculated with beneficial plant bacteria, or endophytes; LED light level studies with microtomatoes; and seeding density studies with baby leaf lettuce.

Center Associate Directors, VT’s Dr. Michael Evans (School of Plant and Environmental Sciences) and Dr. Michael Schwarz (Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center), help steer the Center’s initiatives. VT Research Associate Dr. Emily Zhou oversees operations in collaboration with IALR staff, including Chief Scientist Dr. Chuansheng Mei and Laboratory Research Associate Amy Turner. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is also a supporter.

Future projects will include integration of aquaculture, educational outreach, expanded research, and opportunities for workforce development. For more information and to view a video, visit ialr.org/cea.

Emily Zhou, left, a post-doctoral research associate with Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, speaks with IALR Research Associate Amy Turner and IALR Director of Applied Research Scott Lowman at the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center on IALR’s campus in Danville.