NDSU controlled environment agriculture research tackles food security and production

Due to its long, cold winters, North Dakota has a relatively short growing season. In addition, local food production in the state often faces significant challenges from unpredictable conditions such as drought, flooding and heat extremes, all of which can occur within a single growing season.

Decreases in crop production threaten food security regionally and nationally. One method to alleviate those concerns is the utilization of Controlled Environment Agriculture, which utilizes technology to manipulate a crop’s growing environment to achieve desired results.

CEA strategies include greenhouses, high tunnels, indoor farming, vertical farming, aquaculture and hydroponics. Xinhua Jia, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at North Dakota State University, is researching CEA and its current and future impact on food production.

“I quickly recognized the need for technologies to extend the growing period and improve crop production,” Jia said. “Over the years, I researched using mulches and high tunnels for specialty crop production, and I have since expanded my work into indoor agriculture, vertical farming and broader CEA systems.”

Jia notes how these technologies can grow crops anytime and anywhere, provided the right systems are in place.

“As traditional agriculture faces increasing challenges due to weather variability, water scarcity and soil limitations, I was drawn to CEA for its ability to precisely control environmental conditions and optimize resource use, especially water and energy, while producing high-quality crops year-round,” she said.

CEA combines several technology realms, engineering, automation, edge-AI, plant science and data-driven decision making. It is part of NDSU’s Food, Energy and Water Security research initiative. It addresses key issues facing food production, energy creation and delivery, and water resources today by strongly emphasizing technology and research.

"Controlled Environment Agriculture is not just innovation; it’s a lifeline for North Dakota’s agricultural future,” said Sai Sri Sravya Vishnumolakala, a graduate student working on the NDSU CEA research this summer. “By enabling year-round, resource-efficient crop production, CEA offers resilience against harsh weather events and creates new opportunities for high-value agriculture, strengthening both rural economies and food security across the state.”

From a practical standpoint, CEA complements traditional food production by offering a highly controlled, resource-efficient method for growing crops, particularly in regions with limited growing seasons, poor soil conditions, or water constraints.

“Dr. Xinhua Jia’s leadership in CEA through the FEWS initiative is opening entirely new possibilities for food production in North Dakota,” said Frank Casey, associate director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. “Her deep expertise and passion are helping establish a foundational understanding of how CEA can serve unique agricultural niches across the state, creating exciting opportunities that enhance and complement North Dakota’s already strong agricultural systems.”

The benefits of CEA for North Dakota are many, an extended growing season which will enable year-round crop production; improved food security and access through more locally-grown crops; economic development and workforce opportunities for farmers and businesses; sustainable use of resources such as using less water than traditional farming; and value-added agriculture, which converts North Dakota-grown crops like soybeans and wheat into bio-based substrates for hydroponic agriculture.

Jia sees CEA as an essential component of agricultural practices in the future.

“As food systems face increasing pressure from rising consumer demand and supply chain disruptions, CEA will play a growing role in diversifying production systems,” she said. “I see its future not as a replacement for field agriculture, but as a critical component of a resilient, decentralized and sustainable food system. With advancements in automation, renewable energy integration, AI-based decision tools and local seed-to-product supply chains, CEA will enable communities, even in remote or rural areas, to grow high-quality, fresh food locally and efficiently.”

In just two years, NDSU’s CEA research has featured several projects. One studied lettuce production using water with different pH levels. The results found that certain lettuce varieties can tolerate the high pH in areas such as Fargo without yield production decreases.

Another project tested newly developed bio-media for hydroponic production. These bio-media offer a sustainable approach by utilizing abundant North Dakota-grown agricultural byproducts.

The research team also explored fertilizer optimization based on the characteristics of the available water sources for several vegetables in an indoor environment.

CEA offers hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences integrating agriculture, engineering, plant sciences and data analytics. These programs support workforce development initiatives and are well-aligned with the goals of secondary schools, tribal colleges and universities.

“I really enjoy Controlled Environment Agriculture because it brings the latest tech into farming,” said Alex Spech, who worked on the CEA project as a graduate student for the past two years. “As cities keep growing, CEA could be a great solution for urban agriculture. It also has real potential to help the environment by using renewable energy and keeping nutrients contained, instead of letting them run off into the ground like in traditional farming.”

Ben Bloom is an undergraduate agricultural and biosystems engineering student at NDSU working on CEA research.

"My interest in CEA comes from a love of gardening and plants in general,” he said. “Living in the Midwest, I think CEA techniques like hydroponics are a smart and effective way to grow plants indoors in all seasons."

A new net-zero greenhouse, utilizing solar energy as its primary energy source, opened in August 2024 at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota. Meanwhile, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations are building the Native Green Grow complex, which will use waste natural gas as its primary energy source. The complex includes a 3.3-acre greenhouse designed to grow crops such as lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes year-round.

Both facilities aim to support year-round crop production while relying on renewable and alternative energy sources.

“By advancing automation, sensor-based monitoring, AI-driven decision tools and sustainable production methods, CEA research positions North Dakota as a leader in agricultural innovation tailored to cold-climate regions,” Jia said.

Jia sees CEA as an example of several disciplines working together to feed the world.

“What I find most rewarding is the interdisciplinary nature of CEA,” Jia said. “It brings together engineering, automation, edge-AI, plant science and data-driven decision-making. The potential to make a meaningful impact on food security, sustainability and agricultural innovation continues to inspire and motivate me in this field.”

The NDSU Food, Energy and Water Security initiative projects receive funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service.