“Modular Vertical Farming Systems Like The Harvest Wall Can Make Sustainability Education More Tangible and inclusive”
April 30, 2025
© FreshPlaza.com / Wesley Francis
University of Toronto Scarborough and Harvest Today:
The University of Toronto Scarborough's (UTSC) partnership with Canadian agtech company Harvest Today is beginning to bear fruit — both literally and academically. Following the donation of four Harvest Walls to the university's Environmental Science and Chemistry Building, faculty and students are now actively incorporating the indoor growing systems into research, teaching, and sustainability initiatives.
"Faculty and students have responded with enthusiasm and curiosity," says Feihan Fay Dai, Strategic Research Development Officer at UTSC. "Compared to traditional systems, the Harvest Walls are more accessible, visually engaging, and well-suited for interdisciplinary collaboration across plant biology, sustainability, and food studies."
Students using Harvest Walls in the Greenhouse facilities at the University of Toronto Scarborough
From classroom concept to hands-on experimentation
Installed in UTSC's greenhouse facilities and managed by horticulturist Andrew Cline, the modular plant wall systems are designed for year-round cultivation in controlled environments. According to the university, researchers are already exploring topics ranging from nutrient optimization to food systems education.