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Controlled Environment Agriculture

Unlock the potential of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in our cutting-edge course, where you'll dive into the art of crafting a high-intensity production powerhouse.

In this course, you'll discover the secrets of mastering:

  • water
  • light
  • temperature
  • substrate
  • nutrients
  • atmosphere

All of which can help supercharge plant growth.

While water control has ancient roots in agriculture, we’re revolutionizing its use today. Throughout this course, you'll delve into the innovative world of Plant Factories with Artificial Lights (PFALs) and their seamless integration into urban landscapes. These advanced factories epitomize the pinnacle of environmental and production control.

Join the wave of forward-thinking farmers who are harnessing technology to create synthetic environments for peak crop yields.

Controlled Environment Agriculture Systems

CEA systems can include greenhouses, vertical farms, hydroponics, aquaponics, shade structures, and hoop houses. 

CEA systems can provide many benefits, including:

  • Year-round production: CEA systems can produce food year-round, even during seasons when outdoor farming is not possible.
  • Reduced pesticide use: CEA systems can reduce the need for pesticides.
  • Higher quality produce: CEA systems can produce high-quality, pesticide-free produce.
  • Fewer crop losses: CEA systems can protect crops from weather, pests, and diseases.
  • More efficient: CEA systems can be more efficient than traditional outdoor farming.

What You'll Learn

This course will help you navigate the intricate and interconnected controls that demand expert knowledge for optimal performance. 

After completing this course, you should be able to:

  • Devise basic management documents for a production-focused farm.
  • Assess the position of a vertical urban farmer in their local market.
  • Introduction to innovations and controls of PFALs.
  • Evaluate the practicality of tying fish production to plant production.
  • Recognize the additional nuance of soilless production compared to soil-based.
  • Investigate and report on your choice of fish species.
  • Use your knowledge of the basics of lighting to choose an artificial light source for agricultural production.
  • Identify the basic processes by which light guides plant growth and subsequent dietary nutrition.
  • Practice calculating the interior temperature of a greenhouse under static conditions.
calendar
January 6 - February 2, 2025
clock
Asynchronous
location
Online
price (2)
$225 (+ $60 registration fee)
285
Additional Information:
30 Continuing Education Hours


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Instructors

Mykl Nelson

Mykl grew up in a military family and has traveled around the globe. He started down his agricultural path after picking the makings of a salad directly into a bowl while standing within a greenhouse in his backyard in Colorado.

Mykl came to the Pacific Northwest to enter the agricultural sector and really immerse himself in an environment of plant growth.  . He spent a handful of years at Oregon State University to retrain in a new undergraduate degree so he could finish with a Master’s of Horticulture. He's worked on a handful of farms and tended ever-larger gardens, often on someone else's land. He is now creating and teaching courses at OSU as the Instructor of Urban Agriculture.

In addition to his work for OSU's certificate program in urban agriculture, he is experimenting with a system to convert food waste into insect protein. Outside the university, Mykl gardens when he can and runs a number of nutrient cycling experiments.

Past Students' Work

Take a look at some recent projects our students have created.