Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture
Åland Islands
How We Got Started
Started in the Spring of 2017, the purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of setting up a viable and self-sustaining Center of Excellence for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) located in the greater Philadelphia area. The Township of Kennett (PA) was the chief sponsor and Kennett Square and New Garden Township joined as secondary sponsors in September 2017.
More than 200 stakeholders from industry, local and state governments, mushroom farmers and vertical farmers, universities, and economic development groups contributed to the study.
The study concluded that a Center was needed and had the potential to transform the green indoor agriculture industry and to accelerate its growth, as well as bring innovation to the one hundred year old mushroom industry.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a public-private partnership that accelerates growth and innovation in the indoor farm industry through knowledge sharing, programs and services for industry partners, research and development, testing, workforce training, advocacy and leadership.
Where We Are Headed
This web site and the online marketplace are just the beginning of our journey. We envision the COE to include events, an administrative home, testing facilities, and a technology demonstration park.
Here are some of our target milestones:
-Build Web Site with Social Networking Features (completed)
-Build Online COE Marketplace (completed)
-Develop Network of Partners, Sponsors and Members (on-going)
-Host COE Events
-Identify Sites for the COE in the Greater Philadelphia Region
-Raise Capital
-Build COE Headquarters and Technology Demo Facilities