With more than 9 billion people expected to be alive by 2050, feeding a booming global population means agriculture must respond with increased food production. In the U.S., greenhouses are increasingly being used to grow vegetables and herbs. Growers are taking advantage of controlled environment agriculture CEA as leafy greens, tomatoes, basil, and other produce are being grown indoors under conditions that can be monitored and optimized. To better prepare Cornell students to thrive in this innovative industry segment, horticulture associate professor Neil Mattson initiated a course in the fall on Hydroponic Food Crop Production and Management to teach the principles and practices of sustainable, commercial food crop production in CEA.
