DSU gets $300k grant to bolster vertical farm, sustainability project
DOVER, Del. – Big plans are growing up, instead of out, at Delaware State University (DSU). The university recently received a $300,000 dollar grant to support their Vertical Agriculture and Sustainable Urban Ecosystems project. DSU was one of 15 institutions selected to receive the grant from The Propel Center.
Growing Up Instead Of Out
“[Our project] really embodies what they are moving forward in the areas of ag tech. So, being one of the recipients in this first round was really great. We really want to make our mark on this area, and put Delaware on the map when it comes to ag tech,” said Dean of DUS’s College of Agriculture, Science, and Technology Dr. Cherese Winstead.
The project centers around vertical farming. Instead of growing produce on sprawling farmland, it’s grown in towers. “It’s the intersection of agriculture and emerging technology that kind of integrates engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, and all of that,” said Dr. Winstead.
Dr. Winstead says the method can save a significant amount of water, and create much more produce in much less time. “Typically, there is about a 60% to 70% reduction of water consumption. So, you tend to use far less water, and you’re able to produce ten times the amount of produce,” she said.
Local Impact, Larger Vision
But, it’s not just about the produce itself. Dr. Winstead says agricultural and STEM students will get to work together to study global issues, like food and and water insecurity. “In our urban communities, it’s important for those students that are coming into the field of agriculture and STEM to understand what technologies look like to solve those problems where you do have a water shortage. That means that you kind of have to think outside of the box,” she said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Winstead says DSU students in the project will get to make an impact not only on campus, but in Dover’s community as a whole. “Students who are coming in ag tech will see how their impact can help with nutrition, the production of produce, and then after that they’ll see themselves in entrepreneurship, where we actually show the local produce that was generated from the vertical farm is actually feeding into the local economy and the cafeterias in Del. State,” she said.
Dr. Winstead says the lessons learned and shared by DSU students could also stand to benefit smaller, and minority farmers. “They’re really excited for the vertical farm, too, because it addresses a number of the challenges that they have as small farmers – how to produce bigger and better when they have less resources,” she said.
Planting The Seeds Of Inspiration
The lessons don’t stop there. Elementary and middle school students will have the opportunity to tour the garden. Plus, the farm is portable, and can be brought to other areas for display. Dr. Winstead says hopefully, that will plant the seeds of inspiration. “We were trying to figure out a way to re-envision what agriculture looks like to make it way more attractive for next generations,” she said. Now we’re seeing a renewed interest in environmental and natural resources and agriculture. Students who are really tech savvy can now see ‘Oh, I can use these types of technologies in ag.'”
