In the Greenhouse facilities at the University of Toronto Scarborough are four new Harvest Walls, an indoor growing system developed by Harvest Today, Winnipeg, Manitoba. This agricultural technology is a customizable vertical farming system that produces plants, crops and foods. With this technology, researchers can control conditions that impact plant growth, like light and temperature.
This resource is a tool for U of T Scarborough researchers and students for experiential learning to enhance their work in sustainability.
A strategic partnership for sustainability and innovation
U of T Scarborough expands its leadership in sustainable agriculture and green technology through collaboration with Harvest Today. The Office of the Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation (OVPRI) leads the collaboration, where Harvest Today generously donated four Harvest Walls to campus for enhancing research, innovation, and hands-on learning opportunities in plant biology, sustainability, and food production. Harvest Today's partner, SpectraGrow, also contributed by donating specialized lighting to support and optimize plant growth. The initiative was facilitated by Feihan Dai, Strategic Research Development Officer at the OVPRI, who played a key role in bringing researchers and Harvest Today together to introduce this technology to campus.
© Jenefer SavoeungHorticulturist Andrew Cline tending Harvest Walls in U of T Scarborough greenhouse
"This partnership highlights our campus's commitment to driving real-world impact through research and innovation," says Alison Mountz, Interim Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation. "The partnership also demonstrates how generous and essential our partners are to the research enterprise. This is a wonderful example of research partnership that nourishes communities."
"By bringing together academic expertise, industry perspectives and community insights, we foster meaningful innovation and drive lasting societal impact," adds Andrea Charise, Associate Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships.
Harvest Walls produce a continuous harvest and a steady food supply. The indoor growing system is designed with a minimal footprint to fit urban agriculture and efficiency. This technology uses sustainable materials, saves 97% of water and provides a pesticide-free environment.
© Jenefer SavoeungHarvest Today - Plant Walls
"We are thrilled that Harvest Walls are thriving," says William Aitken, Director of Harvest Today. "Watching the plants flourish and knowing that faculty and students are using this technology to drive sustainability research is incredibly exciting for us. This is exactly the kind of impact we hope to achieve through our partnerships."
Thriving research, thriving plants
The Harvest Wall initiative is a living example of sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. By integrating research, education, and hands-on experience, it brings together faculty, students, and industry partners to explore new areas of urban agriculture.
The four Harvest Walls are located at the Department of Biological Sciences greenhouse, managed by Horticulturist Andrew Cline, who oversees the greenhouses' technical operations and maintenance. "Maintaining the system and fine-tuning environmental controls is key to ensuring a reliable, efficient growing space that serves both research and food production needs," says Cline. Eliana Gonzales-Vigil, Assistant Professor from the Department of Biological Sciences and Jeffrey Pilcher, Professor from the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences are actively incorporating the walls into their research and teaching. They are exploring new ways to enhance plant growth, research, sustainability, and food studies.
"Vertical farming provides us with unique opportunities for research on medicinal plants and even trees, with the advantage of producing large biomass in a limited space," says Gonzales-Vigil, emphasizing the importance of optimizing plant growth conditions. Gonzales-Vigil's research explores how different stresses impact plant defences. Her work focuses on how plants use a protective wax barrier to defend against challenging environmental conditions.
"Having fresh, locally grown ingredients right on campus opens new possibilities for food innovation and sustainability in our kitchens," says Pilcher, highlighting the Harvest Wall technology's impact on culinary applications. Pilcher's research looks at agriculture and sustainable food systems in cities. His previous projects included the cultural adaptation of multicultural foods.
Growing a sustainable future
The Harvest Wall is a sustainable, self-sufficient urban food system that provides valuable learning opportunities for students and researchers. This technology combines plant science, food studies, and technical innovation. Through interdisciplinary partnerships between industry and academia, U of T Scarborough is advancing green technology and environmentally responsible research.
"As the Harvest Wall plants thrive, so does the collaboration of researchers, students, and industry leaders that are innovating for a more sustainable future," says Charise.