CSM Vertical Agriculture Course Grows with New Cohort March 31

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will launch its next vertical agriculture course on March 31, offering hands-on training in a fast-growing sector of modern farming.

Vertical agriculture is a system of farming, often conducted indoors, in which plants are grown in stacked trays instead of across expansive fields, maximizing production while saving on space and water.

In the lab at CSM’s La Plata Campus, three-tiered racks hold trays filled with seedlings under LED lights. Instead of using soil, the plants root down into water mixed with plant nutrients. This method, known as hydroponics, uses circulating, oxygenated water to deliver essential nutrients directly into the plant.

The controlled environment can accelerate plant growth and increase yields while using less water and fewer pesticides.

According to global research firm Maximize Market Research, the North American vertical agriculture industry is expected to grow to more than $12 billion by 2030, compared to $1.5 billion in 2023. Worldwide, the firm expects its value to reach $39.7 billion by 2032.

As the industry grows across the region, CSM is preparing students to be a part of the budding industry. Course instructor Jordan Jones-Cordero said this technology could be one step forward in addressing food shortages.

“Vertical agriculture is a lovely additional component to traditional farming,” Jones-Cordero said. “It’s a more resilient agriculture that can be a good option to reduce the strain on the earth. The technology is accessible to learn and use, and there are a lot of different ways to use what space is available.”

CSM alum Abdul Kanu has always wanted to bridge the gap between agriculture and technology. After earning his associate’s degree in cybersecurity, Kanu found the vertical agriculture course to be the perfect opportunity to do so, completing the course in December. He said the connection between agriculture and technology is closer than one may realize.

“We manage data flow and an ecosystem, and how we diagnose plants can be the same as how we diagnose computers,” Kanu said. “Agriculture is becoming more technology driven as it becomes increasingly important to look for a better way to produce the maximum amount of food in a small area. I feel like this is the next wave of agriculture to do that.”

Kanu is working to complete his bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and plans to earn his master’s. But following his education, his goal is to start a business in agriculture.

CSM launched the vertical agriculture course in October 2024 after receiving a $490,000 grant from the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. Students begin with introductory coursework which combines online and lab-work, covering the basics of plant and soil science, and how to operate and manage specialized vertical growing systems.

Throughout the program, the CSM agriculture lab fills with leafy greens, herbs, cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, strawberries, and edible flowers. Since the program started, students have produced more than 63 pounds of food, all of which goes back to students, faculty, and staff.

Once these courses are completed, students work with local sustainable farming businesses in Southern Maryland. Jones-Cordero said it’s rewarding to watch students recognize how these concepts can be applied outside the classroom and the future career possibilities.

“It’s really valuable to get real-world experience and see the product from the first stage to the last,” Jones-Cordero said. “It broadens their horizons and shows students what they have to look forward to after class.”

Deborah Gray operates a small farm where she primarily grows crops using raised garden beds. She completed the vertical agriculture course in December to learn more ways to grow year-round in limited space. She hopes to take what she learned in the lab and from local farmers to help feed the community.

“I learned so much in this course, it’s amazing to see the amount of food that can be grown by hydroponics,” Gray said. “To be able to grow your own food, to provide for your family and the needs of the community, you can’t get any better than that.”

The next vertical agriculture course will begin Tuesday, March 31. Information on how to register, as well as apply for scholarship opportunities, is available on the course website.