Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), CEA Works is an educational program developed with GLASE, Cornell University, SUNY Broome, Ohio State University, and Agritecture.

CEA Works creates courses in advanced CEA production and business management to provide the industry with knowledge and skills to support the rapidly growing greenhouse and indoor farming workforce.

Dive into the exciting world of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and get your hands dirty (metaphorically speaking) with the crops that are revolutionizing the farming industry. In this introductory course, you'll learn the basics of growing plants in controlled settings, where you can play Mother Nature. You'll explore various systems like hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, and get to grips with the science of soil-less cultivation. From understanding the crucial role of nutrients and lighting to managing climate conditions inside your grow haven, we're covering all the bases to turn you into a savvy indoor farmer.

But why should you care, you ask? As we face global challenges like climate change and urbanization, CEA has stepped up as a sustainable superhero, offering solutions for fresh, local produce year-round without the worry of weather woes or large land spaces. By the end of this course, not only will you have a solid foundation in growing CEA crops, but you'll also grasp the significance of this technology in feeding our growing population. Plus, with the practical skills you'll acquire, you might just be inspired to start your own high-tech garden or innovate the agricultural industry. So, whether you're aiming to boost your professional game or just looking to cultivate your green thumb in new ways, this course has got the goods.

Dr. Neil Mattson, is a professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, having joined Cornell University in 2007. He serves as a statewide greenhouse specialist with research and outreach programs focusing on the physiology of both vegetable and flower crops. His work emphasizes strategies to optimize crop production while reducing energy use through improved lighting and greenhouse control systems, plant mineral nutrition, and plant stress physiology.

He has authored or co-authored 52 peer-reviewed journal articles and 139 extension articles (bulletins, trade journal articles) and given more than 205 outreach presentations to 10,000+ agriculture industry members. Mattson is the director of Cornell’s Controlled Environment Agriculture group.