2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Aeroponics, hydroponics and geoponics are innovative and increasingly significant indoor crop cultivation technologies that offer students attractive career opportunities. A team of Rutgers University faculty from different departments developed an educational philosophy, experiential syllabus and learning goals for a new undergraduate course entitled Innovations in Indoor Cultivation of High Value Crops. This 4-credit Junior-Senior class was offered in 2017 and 2018 as a hybrid, student-centered format with two days of 3-hour classes and weekly on-line video modules, remote quizzes, weekly assignments and interactive chatrooms thru the Canvas learning system. Our teaching methods utilized peer-to-peer learning, problem-solving, teamwork and independent study. Key horticultural and entrepreneurial topics were specialty crop cultivation, medicinal crop culture, market demographics, pest management, harvesting, packaging, marketing and greenhouse maintenance and operations. After viewing vetted, on-line greenhouse videos; live presentations were provided by our instructor team of a greenhouse engineer, extension agent, horticulturalists, and expert guest speakers. Students dialoged among themselves to develop a production plan, choose crop species and learn a diversity of controlled environment growth systems to measure and compare horticultural properties. Our NJAES Research and Floriculture greenhouse facilities were used for hands-on learning with crop cultivation systems which included small aeroponic units and hydroponic mini-pod units for proof of concept. Other systems included commercial units such as bato-buckets, benches for container production, and hydroponic units including a student-built floating raft system, vertical towers and a nutrient film technique system (NFT). The students composed production, business and marketing plans and compared these systems in terms of research, educational demonstration and agri-business feasibility. Mid-semester reports of individual or team project data were presented to the class as well as final powerpoint reports including graphical analysis, digital photography and conclusions. Data included harvest fresh weight, root-shoot lengths, color and plant structure. Teams of 2-3 students planted replications of Rutgers Basil and Scarlet Lettuce, kale and several other leafy greens, herbs and vegetables. They maintained individual systems and worked collaboratively online to compile/compare results for each crop. The grading process emphasized participation = 30% based on in-class contributions and documented on-line time, assignments = 20%, two on-line tests = 20% and final exam = 30% based on their individual reports and team's PowerPoint presentation. Student teaching evaluations and comments were highly positive in terms of instructional quality, knowledge acquired, career confidence increase, and team/technical skills gained. After course completion, several students acquired employment in indoor growing operations.