Vibrant “Vertical Forest” Showcases Sustainable Farming on Campus

Tingran Zhang  •  Posted on November 24, 2023  •  1 minutes  • 186 words

An otherwise plain campus wall has been transformed into a lush “vertical forest” through an innovative hydroponics installation. This visually striking display features vibrant Devil’s ivy grown using soil-less techniques, demonstrating sustainable agriculture.

The eye-catching green wall is adorned with abundant cascades of Devil’s ivy, providing an unexpected pop of vitality within our campus environment. While this wall presents a simplified hydroponics system, the actual systems used in large-scale agriculture can be quite complex. The Ivy roots are suspended directly in a nutrient solution that delivers ideal nourishment and hydration.

Hydroponic cultivation offers many advantages over traditional farming. It allows plants to grow using minimal land and water, while avoiding soil pollution from chemicals or erosion. The automated lighting and water circulation enable the Devil’s ivy to flourish.

This mini “vertical farm” highlights how technology can support sustainable agriculture. Hydroponics like this can enable local food production with fewer resources - an important consideration for our planet’s future.

Installations like this inspire our community to seek creative solutions to environmental issues. By infusing our campus with living greenspaces, we are reminded of humanity’s connection to nature.