The University of Arkansas at Monticello has received a $100,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Science & Technology for a project on potato and rice cultivation in vertical farms.
The grant will support applied research aimed at increasing crop efficiency, sustainability and yield in controlled-environment agriculture, an area of growing importance for Arkansas’ agricultural sector. The grant period runs from July 2025 through June 2026.
The research is currently being conducted at 180 Pipe, a vertical farm facility in Sheridan. Arturo Quintero Ferrer, an assistant professor of biology at UAM, has conducted tours, demonstrations, farmer meetings and product samples relevant to the research at the site.
Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, said in a press release that the grant allows for hands-on experience with emerging agricultural technologies for students.
“This project has allowed our students to grow and experiment with new plant varieties right in our genetics lab, providing valuable hands-on experience with the latest technology in agriculture,” Quintero Ferrer said in the release. “Beyond that, we hope these efforts will benefit UAM and the broader community by expanding educational opportunities and helping provide more sustainable, healthy food locally. It’s a collaborative effort to serve our students and our region, and I believe the impact will only grow from here.”
The entire project is titled “Optimizing Potato and Rice Cultivation in Vertical Farms Using 180 Pipe Technology.”
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