Greenhouse Update: Innovation in Action
With construction complete and crops thriving, the greenhouse at Food + Farm Exploration Center is quickly becoming a living classroom for modern agriculture. This next phase is all about innovation, education, and discovery — showing visitors the science, technology, and problem-solving done on modern farms today.
Inside the Greenhouse: A Modern Look at Agriculture
Farmers constantly make decisions based on real-time information — from how to irrigate according to weather conditions, to choosing the right form of pest control, selecting the best seeds, determining how to amend soil or match crops to specific soil types, and deciding which technological investments will save time, money, and labor.
Our greenhouse brings that process to life, letting visitors see and experience each step of the journey in one place — and to learn how science supports the food system we all depend on.
Innovation takes center stage here. The Micro Grow climate control system keeps conditions ideal by automatically managing temperature and sunlight. We’ve also installed full-spectrum LED grow lights, based on recommendations and research from UW–Madison, replicating their setup for vegetable and plant research.
Smart Tracking & Problem Solving
To better understand crop development, we’re testing Arbré RFID tags — an innovative inventory tracking system that syncs nursery data to a cloud-based database. This technology allows us to monitor key plant information such as planting dates, varieties, and growth progress, helping to inform the decisions we make in the greenhouse.
Like many growers, we’re facing common challenges such as managing aphids, fungus gnats, and other small pests. One tool in our arsenal is a beneficial insect program, introducing “good bugs” like parasitic wasps and green lacewings to naturally control pest populations and demonstrate integrated pest management practices.
Not every decision yields perfect results — much like in agriculture. To reset the space and manage pests, our team is preparing for a brief fallow period, during which we’ll remove plants and raise the temperature. This approach mirrors what farmers do between growing cycles to protect soil and plant health. As we like to say — there are no mistakes in the greenhouse, only opportunities to learn.
Growing Knowledge & Careers
Beyond plants, the greenhouse serves as a hub for education and workforce development. Visitors can learn about the many careers connected to agriculture — from plant science to agricultural engineering.
Our education team is developing new activities centered on our Wisconsin focus crops, including a soil type identification activity that helps guests understand how soil composition affects plant growth. As the seasons change outside, we’ll continue to adapt inside the greenhouse, where shifts in lighting and temperature also impact the growing environment — another lesson in the ever-evolving nature of farming.
For now, all produce grown in the greenhouse is used strictly for educational purposes to maintain the highest food safety standards while offering meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.
Visit the Greenhouse
The greenhouse is now open and included with general admission to Food + Farm Exploration Center. Step inside to explore, observe, and discover the innovation behind modern agriculture — from seed to harvest.
We’re continuing to develop programs, events, and drop-in activities in the greenhouse, so stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with this exciting new space.
And don’t miss our next blog post, where we’ll share details about our ribbon-cutting celebration!