Plant Systems
Overview
OVERVIEW
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and soil-less agricultural production systems—such as aquaponics, hydroponics, and aquaculture—are rapidly expanding industries with strong potential for development in Virginia. However, these industries face key challenges including economic viability, workforce development, and efficiency in labor and energy use. Our work seeks to address these bottlenecks while also supporting small- to mid-scale and urban producers with practical and applied guidance. Core activities include training educators and producers via workshops, tours, and hands-on demonstrations; developing accessible resources such as factsheets, producer guides, and multimedia content; as well as conducting applied research on innovative technologies, system designs, and production methods. Additionally, the program emphasizes workforce development by providing students and stakeholders with experiential learning opportunities and building collaborative networks with university, government, and private partners to strengthen training pipelines and advance production across the state.
HYDROPONICS
Virginia State University currently operates several different hydroponic systems that grow various crops within a 9,000ft2 CEA greenhouse demonstration and research space. Systems include Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Dutch Buckets, and Drip Irrigation. Plants include leafy greens, herbs, fruiting crops, cut flowers, as well as ginger. Cost-effective automation and control units are also demonstrated as a means to reduce labor costs and increase productivity within these systems. The greenhouse space serves as a living laboratory for applied research, stakeholder education, and student training.
AQUAPONICS
Within the same CEA greenhouse demonstration and research space that houses the hydroponic work, several aquaponic systems are also operating. Systems include Deep Water Culture (DWC), Media Beds, as well as decoupled aquaponic systems. Fish grown within these systems include Tilapia, Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, as well as ornamental fish. Plants include leafy greens, herbs, fruiting crops, non-edible crops, as well as cut-flowers. Cost-effective automation and control units are also demonstrated as a means to reduce labor costs and increase productivity within these systems. The aquaponic systems contained within the greenhouse serve as a living laboratory for applied research, stakeholder education, and student training.
INDOOR AGRICULTURE
In addition to the CEA greenhouse space, VSU operates 5,000ft2 of indoor laboratory and production space that houses a fish hatchery and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and is used to facilitate further research of soil-less crop production, innovative technology and systems, as well as conduct laboratory analyses to facilitate research and education. In addition to the indoor laboratory and production space, VSU facilitates the Mobile AquaPonics Education and Demonstration Unit (MAP.EDU), which is a mobile indoor learning lab containing aquaponic and hydroponic systems. Currently, MAP.EDU is under renovations but follow this page for updates.
PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES
HYDROPONICS PROGRAM[JD1]
Hydroponic Outreach and Technical Assistance
The overall objective of VSU’s Hydroponic work is to demonstrate current, relevant, and integrated hydroponic technology, provide workshopping and guides that generate small-scale, low-cost, and practical hydroponic systems, as well as provide technical assistance for stakeholders and producers in Virginia.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Hydroponics
VSU’s work regarding DIY Hydroponic systems has led to the development of several low-cost systems that can be utilized for classroom learning, in limited space environments (apartments, urban areas), or for new or interested stakeholders looking to adopt hydroponic production. Currently we offer a How-To-Build Guide along with a video for a small-scale Kratky Hydroponic system. Efforts to create a vertical small-scale NFT system guide and video as well as accompanying How-To-Use guides for these systems is underway. Workshops are offered annually.
Ginger and Cut-Flower Hydroponic Production[JD2]
CropBox?
Hydroponic Resources
- DIY Guide + Video Guide
- Hydroponic Factsheets
- Hydroponic Workshops
AQUAPONICS PROGRAM
Aquaponic Outreach and Technical Assistance
The overall objective of VSU’s work in aquaponics is to demonstrate current and relevant technology and production techniques, conduct applied research to support aquaponic, hydroponic, and RAS producers, as well as provide technical assistance for stakeholders and producers in Virginia.
Aquaponic Applied Research Projects
VSU’s applied research in aquaponics offers producers a means of partnership with our program to enable data-driven results to eliminate bottlenecks they are facing. Applied research projects include but are not limited to evaluation of different system designs, integration of cost-saving and productive technologies, evaluation of alternative crop and fish species, as well as generating producer operational and production procedures.
Aquaponic Resources
Aquaponic Factsheets
Aquaponic Producer Guides
INDOOR AGRICULTURE PROGRAM
Indoor Agriculture Outreach and Technical Assistance
The overall objective of VSU’s work in Indoor Agriculture is to conduct applied research to evaluate the production and economics of technologies within this area, demonstrate indoor agricultures potential for crop production (propagation, high-value crops) as well as fish production (hatchery, RAS), and facilitate stakeholder education across Virginia through the Mobile AquaPonics Education and Demonstration Unit (MAP.EDU).
MAP.EDU
Currently the MAP.EDU is under renovations. Please continue to monitor this page as we progress through this work.
PUBLICATIONS
[JD1]An idea for this would also be to utilize cameras we have and allow folks to actually view various systems within the greenhouse.
[JD2]This could be a potential section but leaving blank for now.
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