The University of Windsor and Horteca, a joint venture of JEM Farms and Ecoation, will establish and operate a two-acre fully operational innovation greenhouse for research, proof-of-concept designs, and partnership opportunities with industry and community partners.

Under the banner Agriculture at UWindsor (AgUWin), the space will provide access to a prime growing and technical environment for researchers and industry, with the ability to field test the deployment of upcoming technologies in a cost-effective, secure, and safe environment. 

Chris Houser, UWindsor’s interim vice-president, research & innovation, says the partnership will increase UWindsor’s ability to provide hands-on student learning experiences in such areas as growing conditions, sensors, biologics, data & AI, autonomy and robotics, security, sustainability, supply chain, and Indigenous partnerships. New programming will be developed to support talent development and leadership in the agriculture and greenhouse sectors.

Outside of the Netherlands, Windsor-Essex is home to the largest number of greenhouses in the world.

Saber Miresmailli, PhD, founder and CEO of Ecoation, says controlled environment agriculture is the answer to a growing world population and climate change-induced limitations that negatively affect the food supply chain.

“Through this partnership with the University of Windsor, the country’s best minds are getting together in HORTECA to solve yet another major issue that impacts humanity as a whole --clean, sustainable, and nutritious food production,” says Miresmailli.  

Companies interested in partnering on initiatives with the University of Windsor and Horteca can reach out to: research@uwindsor.ca 

Source:  University of Windsor October 5, 2022 news release