In a world where climate uncertainty and food scarcity are becoming increasingly pressing issues, Ying Zhang, Ph.D., an assistant professor at UF’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, is working on solutions.
Her research focuses on cultivating optimal growing conditions through vertical farming, a method that allows for the cultivation of crops in a controlled environment, using a combination of modified hydroponics, LED lighting, and advanced climate control systems. By maximizing space efficiency and reducing water consumption, vertical farming has the potential to increase crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. Precise lighting and temperature control allow farmers to create an ideal environment for plant growth, regardless of outside weather conditions.
Climate-controlled container farming gives a new spin on the idea of a secret garden; you’d never expect from the modest exterior what’s going on inside. When you open the shipping container door to Dr. Ying Zhang’s vertical garden, an absolute lettuce party lies within. A bright red hue bathes the interior, casting deep burgundy shadows under the plants that are plugged into their substrate pots lining shelves that are organized like rows of books in a library. At timed intervals, the light switches to a blue spectrum and the whole mood changes.