By Andi Anderson
The Ohio State University and Wageningen University and Research have established a new international partnership focused on advancing controlled environment agriculture research, education, and innovation. The agreement strengthens cooperation between two global leaders in greenhouse and horticultural production systems.
The partnership was officially created through a memorandum of understanding signed between Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and Wageningen Plant Research in the Netherlands. The collaboration will focus on improving greenhouse technologies, crop management practices, and sustainable food production systems.
The agreement centers around Ohio State’s Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center and Wageningen Plant Research Greenhouse Horticulture programs. Both institutions plan to combine research strengths and industry connections to support future agricultural innovation and sustainability goals.
“This partnership brings together complementary expertise from two world-leading programs in controlled environment agriculture,” said Chieri Kubota, CFAES distinguished professor and OHCEAC director. “By combining our strengths in research, education and industry engagement, we will create new opportunities to address global challenges in food production and sustainability.”
The partnership includes plans for joint research projects, faculty and scholar exchanges, educational workshops, and student exchange opportunities. Leaders from both organizations believe the collaboration will help improve knowledge sharing while supporting future greenhouse agriculture development.
“As greenhouse horticulture expands worldwide, we believe that strengthening our collaboration with leading international knowledge institutions will support the development of the knowledge and innovative solutions needed to address those challenges facing the sector,” said Laura Bautista, Regional Lead North America for WUR Greenhouse Horticulture. “These challenges are no longer local, but are increasingly global, which makes collaboration relevant.”
The agreement will remain active for five years, with opportunities for future renewal. Both institutions plan to develop additional research and educational projects through future agreements.
Wageningen University is recognized globally for agricultural innovation, especially in controlled environment agriculture. Ohio State’s CFAES continues to support teaching, research, and outreach programs focused on agriculture, sustainability, food systems, and community health across Ohio.
Photo Credit: istock-pkujiahe
Categories: Ohio, Education