Vertical Farming

Are you a professional grower, tech developer, or breeder associated with the vertical farming industry? Then this mixed classroom course, designed by Wageningen University, is for you. You will collaborate with university students to research the central challenges of vertical farming and gain scientific insights into applied problems. To get the most out of this course, we recommend having experience or study equivalent to a BSc level.

• Separate sense from nonsense by analysing sustainability and profitability of vertical farms.
• Deduct the role and key principles of plant physiology in vertical farming.
• Learn about new opportunities in vertical farming through the latest academic insights.
• Solve specific hurdles and practical challenges VF industry faces.
• Infer the relevance and advances of technology in vertical farming.

Vertical farming is a fast-growing globalized industry with investments in new and existing companies. This course on VF aims to illuminate the trees in the forest of big claims and lofty promises.

Our mixed classroom approach promotes the cross-pollination of theory and practice in vertical farming. Professionals receive the latest VF knowledge and contribute relevant input to the specific practical challenges they face. Students will deep dive into problem-based case studies, guided by academic experts, and present their solutions back to professionals.

With a strong focus on the plant physiology aspects, you will:

• Apply concepts from plant physiology, technology, business, and sustainability.
• Become familiar with innovations such as novel substrates, state of the art LED lighting recipes, precision environmental control, and advanced sensing.
• Evaluate vertical farming strategies in terms of sustainability, profitability and product quality.

The 4-weeks programme offers 60 hours of dedicated study time spread over the total period, includes four modules and fixed interaction moments*.

Professionals follow the first 3 weeks online (modules 1-3), with 6-10 online live sessions each week including lectures, workshops, discussions and student presentations. On Mondays, 14-17h and Friday's, 10-13h in these weeks there are mandatory online interaction moments for students and professionals to work together. For other sessions you can join online or watch the recordings. In week 4 an in-person VF mini-conference in Wageningen on 4 and 5 March 2027 (module 4) wraps up the course.

Download the flyer to view an overview of the topics in all 4 modules.

*Alternatively, upon request, you can choose to only view the online content of modules 1-3 without interaction with student or teachers and no access to the mini-conference. 'View-only' is € 950 per person. To register for this option, mention 'VIEW-ONLY' in the Remarks field of the registration form.

Based on your (online) attendance a certificate is issued.