Indoor farming is changing the way we grow food—and the way we teach. More and more schools, from elementary classrooms to post-secondary campuses, are turning to indoor farming and hydroponics as powerful tools for hands-on learning. Why? Because growing food indoors isn't just about lettuce and basil—it's about education, sustainability, and preparing students for the future.
At Just Vertical, we've helped educators bring vertical farming into their spaces in ways that inspire students, improve food literacy, and teach real-world STEM skills. Indoor gardening turns any classroom into a living lab, sparking curiosity and connection through the power of plants.
In this article, we'll explore how indoor farms for educational institutions work and why they're becoming so popular. Whether you're a teacher, professor, campus sustainability officer, or curious parent, we'll break down everything you need to know to get started.
What Is Indoor Farming and Hydroponics?
What Is Indoor Farming?
How does indoor farming work, and why is it gaining such popularity in educational settings?
Indoor farming is a way of growing food inside buildings using controlled environments. That means we don't need to rely on sunshine, rain, or outdoor soil to grow plants. Instead, we use tools like special grow lights, nutrient-rich water, and smart technology to help crops grow faster, cleaner, and healthier—all year round.
This method is particularly helpful for schools and universities because it turns any space—like a classroom or lab—into a working garden. Students can learn while watching their food grow right in front of them.
Core Components of Indoor Farms
To make indoor farming work, you usually need:
- Grow lights that act like the sun
- Vertical racks or towers to grow more in less space
- Nutrient solutions instead of soil to feed the plants
- Timers and sensors to control light, water, and air
What Is Hydroponics?
How is hydroponics different from other growing methods?
Hydroponics is a type of indoor farming. Instead of using soil, plants grow in water filled with nutrients. It's simple, clean, and efficient—especially for schools.
There are other styles, like:
- Aeroponics (plants hang in air and get misted)
- Aquaponics (combines fish tanks and plant beds)
But hydroponics is often the easiest and most popular for classrooms. It doesn't need fish care like aquaponics, so there's less maintenance and fewer things that can go wrong. There are no tanks to clean or animals to feed—just water, light, and plants. That makes it perfect for busy teachers and curious students.
Why Is Indoor Farming Better Than Traditional Agriculture?
Here are some quick wins:
- Grow food all year—even in winter
- No need for pesticides or herbicides
- Use up to 90% less water
- Grow in smaller, unused spaces
Why Do Indoor Farms Belong in Schools and Universities?
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Indoor gardens aren't just cool to look at—they're tools for active learning. When students plant seeds, adjust lights, or test water levels, they learn by doing. As a result, they become more engaged in class. More importantly, they feel proud of their work. In other words, students learn more when they're involved.
Why Schools and Higher Ed Institutions Are Embracing It
Why are more schools and universities adding indoor farms?
Schools and universities want to prepare students for a changing world. Indoor farms help by linking classroom learning to real-world issues—like food insecurity and climate change.
Here's why schools love them:
- Ties directly to STEM and sustainability goals
- Teaches responsibility and teamwork
- Fits within project-based or inquiry-based learning models
- Shows innovation in education
- Creates food access and green spaces
How Does Indoor Farming Support STEM Learning?
How can indoor farming help students learn science, technology, engineering, and math?
Indoor farming is a natural fit for STEM education. It turns abstract lessons into real-world experiments. Instead of just hearing about ecosystems or coding, students can actually build, grow, and measure things themselves. That's why teachers love using indoor farms in STEM classrooms—they bring learning to life.
When students grow food indoors, they use science to understand plant biology, technology to monitor systems, engineering to design growing spaces, and math to collect data and track progress. It's STEM in action, and it works across grade levels—from elementary all the way to university labs.
Bringing STEM to Life in the Classroom
How do indoor farms turn a classroom into a living lab?
With an indoor farm, every part of the system becomes a learning opportunity. Students get to see how different elements affect plant growth. They make predictions, run experiments, and use problem-solving to adjust their systems.
Here are a few examples:
- Measure water pH and track nutrient levels (Science)
- Program lights and sensors to automate the system (Technology)
- Design layouts to fit more plants in less space (Engineering)
- Graph plant growth or calculate harvest yield (Math)
Why Indoor Farming Makes STEM Fun and Accessible
Not every student connects with traditional lessons. But growing food? That sparks curiosity. Whether they're building a hydroponic tower or tasting fresh basil, students see the "why" behind what they're learning.
How Do Indoor Farms Improve Food Literacy and Healthy Eating?
How does indoor farming help students learn about food and make better choices?
Indoor farming is one of the best tools for improving food literacy in schools and universities. Why? Because it helps students understand where food comes from, how it's grown, and why it matters. Instead of just reading about nutrition or sustainability, they experience it first-hand. That knowledge leads to healthier habits and smarter choices—for life.
When students grow food themselves, they learn how much effort and care goes into it. As a result, they value fresh produce more. They also become more open to trying new fruits and vegetables—especially when they helped grow them.
From Seed to Table: Learning Through Experience
What do students learn by growing food indoors?
Indoor farming gives students a complete view of the food cycle. From planting seeds to harvesting and tasting, they're part of every step.
Students can:
- Understand plant life cycles and growth stages
- Learn about nutrients, food safety, and clean harvesting
- Track food waste and learn how to reduce it
- Prepare, taste, and share what they grow
In short, students don't just learn—they connect. And that connection makes a big difference in their eating habits and choices.
Food Literacy = Real-Life Learning
Why does this matter?
Because food impacts everything—our health, our environment, and our communities. Teaching kids and young adults about food through indoor gardening helps them become more informed and empowered.
What's the Sustainability Impact of Indoor Farming in Education?
How does indoor farming support sustainability in schools and universities?
Indoor farming is more than just a fun way to grow plants—it's a hands-on way to teach sustainability. When students use hydroponic systems in the classroom, they see how food can be grown with fewer resources, less waste, and a smaller carbon footprint. That's a powerful lesson for both the environment and the future.
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword anymore. It's a real goal for many schools and universities. Indoor gardening helps meet that goal in simple, visible ways.
Eco-Friendly by Design
What makes indoor farming more sustainable than traditional farming?
Indoor farms are built to be efficient. They reuse water, they need no soil, and they use LED grow lights that run on low energy.
Here are just a few other sustainability benefits:
- Uses up to 90% less water than outdoor farming
- No need for pesticides or chemical fertilizers
- Reduce food miles—grow it where you eat it
- Turns unused indoor space into productive green zones
- Minimizes packaging and food waste
Aligning with School Sustainability Goals
Many schools and campuses already have green goals—like reducing waste or earning eco-certifications. Indoor farms help meet those targets while teaching students how their choices impact the planet.
How Can Schools Start an Indoor Farm?
What steps should schools and universities take to start indoor farming?
Starting an indoor farming program in a school or university might sound big, but it doesn't have to be hard. Many institutions start small with just a single grow rack or hydroponic system. The key is knowing your space, your goals, and who will be involved.
5 Practical Steps to Get Started
How can you launch an indoor farm in your school or campus?
- Choose your space -- Classrooms, labs, hallways, and even unused corners can work. Make sure there's access to water and power.
- Pick the right system -- From tabletop gardens to vertical racks or container farms, your space will help guide this choice.
- Set your goals -- Is this for STEM learning? Food security? Community outreach? Your goals shape your setup.
- Get your team involved -- Assign student leaders, teachers, or sustainability staff to help manage it.
- Work with experts -- Don't go it alone! Companies like ours offer setup, training, and support.
Grow Big, Start Small
The best part? You can scale your farm as interest grows. Start with a few leafy greens and expand to herbs, microgreens, or even full-scale crops later on.
A Look at Some Case Studies
What can we learn from real schools using indoor farming?
Indoor farming has already made a big impact in schools and universities across North America. These projects show how growing food indoors isn't just about plants—it's about learning, sustainability, and creating real change on campus.
As more schools begin to explore hydroponics and vertical farming, they're seeing real benefits—like better student engagement, lower food waste, and stronger community connections. Below are three short examples of how it all comes together in real life.
3 Case Studies: How Schools Are Growing With Indoor Farms
1. Marshall Elementary School in Littleton, MA
Marshall Elementary School has embraced hydroponic farming as an innovative educational tool, integrating it into the curriculum to enhance students' understanding of science, sustainability, and nutrition.
- Hands-On Learning: Students participate in the entire growth cycle of plants, from seeding to harvesting, gaining practical experience in plant biology and ecology.
- Curriculum Integration: The hydroponic garden is incorporated into science lessons, providing real-world applications of classroom concepts and fostering critical thinking skills.
- Nutritional Education: By growing their own produce, students develop an appreciation for fresh, healthy foods, encouraging better dietary choices.
- Environmental Stewardship: The program instills a sense of responsibility for the environment, teaching students about sustainable practices and resource conservation.
This hydroponic farming initiative at Marshall Elementary School exemplifies how experiential learning can cultivate not only academic growth but also personal and social development in students.
2. Seneca College in Toronto, ON
Seneca College's Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) partnered with Just Vertical to launch an advanced indoor farming initiative aimed at merging applied research with sustainable food production. Located in the heart of Toronto, the vertical farm acts as a living lab—giving students hands-on experience with hydroponic systems while also supporting community food programs.
- Enhanced Research: Students conducted applied research on optimizing plant growth conditions, including nutrient density and light wavelengths.
- Hands-On Learning: Environmental science and horticulture students gain real-world experience in controlled environment agriculture.
- Community Benefit: Produce grown in the farm supports local food programs and raises awareness about sustainable urban agriculture.
- Workforce Development: The farm serves as a training ground for future green tech professionals.
What began as an effort to explore sustainable urban agriculture has grown into a full-scale educational and community-driven project with measurable academic and social benefits.
3. Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Tech has introduced a pioneering course in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) through its School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The course, HORT 4334: Greenhouse & Controlled Environment Agriculture Management, is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage modern agricultural systems, including greenhouses, indoor farms, and vertical farming operations.
- Applied Research: Students engage in research projects that explore the optimization of environmental controls, such as lighting, temperature, and nutrient delivery systems, to enhance crop yields and quality.
- Hands-On Learning: The course provides practical experience with CEA systems, allowing students to operate and manage greenhouse and indoor farming technologies, fostering a deep understanding of plant production in controlled environments.
- Industry Collaboration: Virginia Tech's partnership with the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center in Danville offers students exposure to cutting-edge research and industry practices, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
- Workforce Development: By focusing on the rapidly growing field of CEA, the course prepares students for careers in sustainable agriculture, equipping them with the expertise needed to address global food security challenges through innovative farming solutions.
This initiative reflects Virginia Tech's commitment to advancing agricultural education and research, positioning its students at the forefront of sustainable food production technologies.
FAQs
1. What is indoor farming in schools?
Indoor farming in schools refers to using indoor systems like hydroponics or vertical gardens to grow food inside the classroom or school building. It's an educational tool and food source all in one.
2. Is hydroponics hard for students to manage?
Nope! Most hydroponic systems are automated. With a little training and regular checks, students of all ages can manage them easily and learn responsibility along the way.
3. How much space do I need for an indoor farm?
You can start with as little as 2 square feet. From small grow racks to full container farms, we help schools pick the right fit based on their space.
4. Is it expensive to set up an indoor garden in a school?
Costs vary based on size, but many schools use grants or community partnerships to fund their projects. Plus, we offer scalable solutions to fit any budget.
5. Can we use the food we grow?
Absolutely! Students can eat it, cook with it, or donate it. It's a great way to connect food to real-world impact, health, and nutrition.
Conclusion
Indoor farming is more than a trend—it's a transformative tool for learning. When schools and universities bring hydroponics into the classroom, something incredible happens. Students get their hands dirty (in a clean way), engage more deeply with science, and begin to understand their place in the food system.
At Just Vertical, we believe every school deserves the opportunity to create something real and meaningful with its students. Indoor farming makes that possible. Whether you're teaching third graders about photosynthesis or guiding college students through climate-focused research, these systems are more than equipment—they're experiences.
Want to learn more? Let's talk. We'll help you grow something amazing—right inside your school walls.