Students engage with sustainable agriculture

Friday, June 16, 2023

A collaboration between Waterloo Engineering's chemical engineering department, Niagara College and agricultural partner Jeffery's Greenhouses provides controlled environment agriculture (CEA) training for engineering students.

Led by Dr. Nasser Mohieddin Abukhdeir, a chemical engineering professor at Waterloo, Bill MacDonald and Evan DiValentino from Niagara College and Albert Grimm, head grower at Jeffery’s Greenhouses, the three-day introductory training aims to facilitate engineering involvement in Canada’s agricultural sector.

CEA is an increasingly important approach for the sustainability of food production globally. It enables the minimization of resource usage, reduced environmental effects and improved productivity.

"Increasing the engagement of engineers and scientists in agriculture is vital for improving its sustainability," said Abukhdeir. "Controlled-environment agriculture could enable the growth of food year-round and locally, even for remote communities in Canada."

Twenty undergraduate and graduate students took part in the pilot training program in May, 2023. 

Go to Collaborating to contribute to sustainable agriculture in Canada for the full story.