The University of the District of Columbia Opens New Greenhouse
October 29, 2024 On October 24, 2024, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) opened a new greenhouse at Anacostia High School in Washington D.C. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the greenhouse, and it was attended by students, educators, community leaders, and industry stakeholders.
Serving as a “living classroom,” the facility will equip students with the skills needed to tackle challenges surrounding urban food systems. This state-of-the-art greenhouse incorporates artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other important technologies used in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilities.
While enhancing ag education is the primary focus of this greenhouse project, it also aims to empower students to grow food for their families and communities.
“The new greenhouse is a transformative space where students can apply advanced technologies to sustainable food production,” said William Hare, associate dean of UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES). “This project embodies the future of urban agriculture, blending classroom education with real-world applications. We are thrilled to provide students with this hands-on opportunity to learn cutting-edge technologies that are changing the way we think about food production.”
UDC, D.C. Public Schools, the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment, and the D.C. Department of General Services and Pepco joined forces to bring this project to fruition. Their collaboration stems from the need to integrate technology-driven ag education into the classroom, raise awareness of STEM careers, and create economic opportunities for residents in Washington D.C.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, students from Anacostia High School gave a tour of the greenhouse and showed how the combination of technology and agriculture can help solve problems for urban communities. Over the next few months, they will grow fresh produce while developing critical skills for building a successful career in CEA.
To get more information about UDC’s new greenhouse initiative, read the full article on their website.