INDOOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN ROBOTIC FARMING (ISURF) FOR DISCOVERY, AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (DEL) IN STEM.

The overall goal is to incorporate accessible agricultural technologies for urban and indoor settings to enhance sustainable food production with an energy smart approach.. The specific objectives of the integrated project address three functions (research, education, and extension) of the agricultural knowledge system.Research 1) To conduct small-scale field experiments on energy smart robotic farming platform to investigate harvest characteristics, phytochemicals, and micronutrients of beets and carrots based on rainwater irrigation levels (tunnel house FarmBot; 2) To study the impacts of seaweed-based biostimulants on the growth, phytochemicals and micronutrients of indoor-grown organic spinach (indoor FarmBot)Education 1) To set up the robotic farming platform for providing hands-on education in indoor sustainable food production for the Native American community to enhance their agribusiness endeavors (integrated with part of Extension activity of 1a; 2) To engage UMES STEM students in discovery and experiential learning (DEL) activities in indoor sustainable robotic farming; 3) To integrate ISURF project-related content (concepts and technologies) in STEM-based UMES courses in agriculture, engineering, environmental, and food sciences.Extension 1a) To conduct summer workshops on Indoor Urban Sustainable Accessible Agriculture (IUSAA) for BIPOC farmers and growers, and those with disabilities, educators; 1b) To host quarterly online webinars on Indoor Urban Sustainable Accessible Agriculture (IUSAA) for the general public; 2) To conduct summer enrichment academy for high-school students in sustainable agriculture (SEASA) in collaborations with UMES Extension and STEAM ONWARD; 3)To collaborate with the Extension Foundation for developing and disseminating content for the public and for Extension professionals nationwide through Connect Extension and the project website