Source: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEMS submitted to
ADAPTING PRECISION FARMING TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUAPONICS SYSTEMS IN HAWAII
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027733
Grant No.
2022-67037-36359
Cumulative Award Amt.
$500,000.00
Proposal No.
2021-09705
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Dec 1, 2021
Project End Date
Nov 30, 2024
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[A7601]- Agricultural Workforce Training Grants
Project Director
Hokoana, L.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEMS
310 KAAHUMANU AVE
KAHULUI,HI 96732
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
TheAdapting Precision Farming Technologies for Sustainable Aquaponics Systems in Hawai'i project will address the AFRI Priority area of agriculture systems and technology by expanding workforce trainings using precision agriculture technologies in aquaponics systems. Conducted at the WaiPono Farm at University of Hawaii Maui College, the project will address key workforce training needs relevant for local agriculture. Project objectives include:1) Extend and improve our existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program to integrate precision farming technologies in aquaponics systems;2) Provide students with the skills and tools necessary to join the workforce;3) Assess the effectiveness of integrating locally sourced fish feed and nutritious native plants through student-led experiential learning projects that integrate remote monitoring devices and data analysis;4) Increase the number of students pursuing college and career pathways in agriculture with a minimum of 70% continuing education and/or employment in agriculture-related fields.The potential impacts of the project include advancing knowledge in the application of precision agriculture technologies in aquaponics production systems and developing sustainable food system in Hawai'i for food security and community resiliency.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
20514303020100%
Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1430 - Greens and leafy vegetables;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
Conducted at the WaiPono Farm site at University of Hawai'i MauiCollege, one of the seven community colleges in the University of Hawai'i system, the projectwill extend the existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program leading toindustry-recognized certificates and experiential, continuing education learning opportunities toenable a work-ready labor force for 21st-century agricultural jobs strengthened throughcommunity capacity building among local partners, focus on agricultural use of technologiessuch as remote monitoring systems, and data collection and machine learning analysis.The project has four major objectives:Objective 1: Extend and improve our existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program, online courses and community workshops to integrate aquaponics precision farming systems blending use of data collection sensors, remote monitoring equipment systems, data analytics, AI, machine learning technologies, and multiple sharing platforms through our existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program, online courses and community workshops.Objective 2: Provide students with the technological skills and tools necessary for data analysis, data interpretation and agricultural remote monitoring systems to secure industry-accepted credentials to join the workforce upon completion of the apprenticeship-based workforce training program.Objective 3: Assess the effectiveness of integrating locally sourced fish feed and nutritious native plants such as taro and sweet potato with the use of data collection software and equipment, through student-led experiential learning projects thatintegrate remote monitoring devices and data analysis.Objective 4: Increase the number of students pursuing college and career pathways in agriculture, with a focus on underrepresented, first-generation college going, culturally diverse and Native Hawaiian participants.?
Project Methods
Hawai'i's food production systems need a radical transformation to become sustainable and food crisis reliable. Therefore, new agricultural applied technologies hold the potential of reducing inefficiencies in agricultural production and help to move towards sustainable production. Technologies can contribute greatly to food security by efficient resource use. To maximize the benefits of agricultural technologies, it is necessary to develop applications that are user-friendly, relevant, localized, affordable, locally appropriate, and sustainable. The project will provide diverse educational opportunities exploring and executing new and existing technologies such as remote monitoring, AI, and machine learning tools that provide novel ways of visualizing, measuring, and analyzing data applied in commercial-scale and start-up aquaponics production systems.Research indicates the urgent need to train and upskill a technologically savvy agricultural workforce in Hawai'i to support local food production and ensure food security and community resiliency, in particular in the wake of the global pandemic and its negative impact on the workforce in Hawai'i. Learning precision farming skills and technology in the appliedenvironment of aquaponics systems holds the potential to support effective, efficient and productive agricultural systems for new and established farmers. Hands-on learning opportunities and new data-savvy skills will also better prepare apprentice trainees for college and career advancement.Curriculum Development. The project will extend the existing curriculum from the previous USDA-funded project informed by current learning theory on data analysis and application of specialized software. The project will adapt and leverage existing online modules from the Sustainable Aquaponics System Certificate of Professional Development currently offered at UHMC that integrated AQU@TEACH, an open source aquaponics curriculum developed through avStrategic Partnership for Higher Education in the European Union led by the University of Greenwich.Training Modalities:This project proposes to execute a new program to enhance UHMC's agricultural workforce training across multiple learning modalities that vary in length, format, and environment with a goal of training participants aged 16+ in Hawai'i:1. A year-long apprenticeship-based workforce training program that includes 80 hours of paid work-based learning at the WaiPono Farm site at UHMC culminating in the award of the Sustainable Aquaponics System Certificate of Professional Development and Aquaponics Apprenticeship Certificate of Professional Development;2. A series of six 2-hour online asynchronous courses offering stackable Certificate of Professional Development credentials that may be taken sequentially or individually to attract both novices and experts across a range of topics include Remote MonitoringTechnologies, and Data collection and Machine Learning in Aquaponics Systems; introductory courses to Aquaponics, Fish Health & Diseases, Water Quality, Aquaponics in Hawai'i developed through the previous USDA project.3. Wide-reaching half-day to full-day hands-on training through community workshops on the application of remote sensing technologies, and data collection in backyard aquaponics systems with a general introduction to Aquaponics, Fish Health and Diseases,Water Quality, Aquaponics in Hawai'i to support food security, sustainable food systems, and community resiliency.Subject matter research:The training curriculum will provide innovative opportunities for complex problem-solving in the context of real-world situations through the integration of new remote monitoring, data collection and analysis, machine learning, and AI applications developed with a multidisciplinary team of faculty from the Office of Extended Learning &Workforce Development, Business, Computer Science and the Engineering Technology Programs at UHMC. Faculty will lead students in applied projects consisting of three components in the Aquaponics Systems Educational Model.Aquaponics systems educational model:1) Classroom experience:1.a) In-class models integrating concepts including sustainable food systems, efficient resource use, Native Hawaiian agricultural knowledge and practices, and capacity building in community resources and partnerships, and project-based learning.1.b) Classroom lecture and hands-on training in WaiPono Farm lab in aquaponics, aquaculture, hydroponics, greenhouse technologies, and remote monitoring, data collection, data analysis, including machine learning and AI.2) Leadership development and mentoring:2.a) Project-based learning facilitated in multidisciplinary teams including the UHMC Computer Science students and AquaponicsApprentices engaged in rotating team leadership activities using the Ka?ao framework coordinated by 3 faculty members across 3 departments (Engineering Technology, Office of Extended Learning & Workforce Development, and Business and ComputerScience).3)Experienced-based activity through a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)3.a) Culminating team capstone project and presentations for peer review feedback.3.b) Online portfolio on UHMC's Sustainable Living Institute of Maui - WaiPono Farm webpage to share and archive studentprojects for ongoing reference and dissemination through community networks.Evaluation:A third-party evaluator with experience with federally-funded education projects will be hired through the University of Hawai'i system in the first three months of the grant to conduct an external evaluation for the 3-year project. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data will be used to conduct formative (process and procedure) and summative (outcome and impact) evaluations. A formative evaluation conducted at the end of Year 1 and Year 2 to assess program fidelity (i.e., adherence to proposed activities), trackprogress, monitor outputs, and resource utilization, and assess timeliness and challenges in the implementation of project activities, and will include feedback to project leaders and managers on mid-stream adjustments that should be considered to ensure the successful completion of project objectives. In Year 3 a final summative evaluation of all Education Projects will be conducted. Milestones are included in the project timeline and will be used to verify that the project is on schedule for a successful conclusion. The third-party evaluator will work in conjunction with internal sources and personnel, including the Institutional Research officer at UHMC and the PI/PD, PC, and personnel. Stakeholder groups will be consulted and will receive key reports.

Progress 12/01/22 to 11/30/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included adults and youth aged 16+ interested in educational opportunities and career exploration in technologies related to sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and aquaponics in Hawaii. In Y2, the project piloted a new aquaponics technologies internship format in Spring 2023. The project also engaged students in daily monitoring activities in hybrid trainings and in-person workshops. ? Changes/Problems:The devastating wildfires on Maui in August 2023 resulted in lower than expected student and community participation rates due to the impact on workforce, housing and well-being for the local community. For Y2, we anticipate reaching and potentially exceeding the overall participation goals through the strong community network that has been established through this project, increased community interest in food security following the wildfires and more students returning to school for in-person trainings and community workshops indicate more community interest in aquaponics and agricultural technologies to support food security needs on Maui. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?New aquaponics staff hired through the project attended professional development activities including online trainings for animal welfare training certification, and on-campus trainings for health and safety, as well as trainings with community partners on Native Hawaiian cultural practices. The aquaponics coordinator attended the 12th annual Aquaponics Conference, a premier event for colleges, institutions, and professionals in the field of aquaponics, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in September 2023. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through meetings with community stakeholders, including the UHMC Sustainability Committee, local non-profit organizations, and funders to plan for the sustainability of the project. Student teams presented their project outcomes in online Zoom meeting for other students, faculty, staff and community members as a culminating experience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To further accomplish project goals, the following activities will be conducted in Year 3: For Objective 1, the project will continue to extend and improve the existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program by developing a new training modules that blend the use of data collection sensors, remote monitoring equipment systems and data analytics through online, hybrid and in-person training and community workshop formats. For Objective 2, the project will procure new technologies to provide training to students in data analysis, data interpretation and agricultural remote monitoring systems to attain the new industry-accepted Certificate of Professional Development credentials and other new credentials developed through the project. For Objective 3, the project will continue to engage youth and adult students in experiential learning projects that integrate remote monitoring devices and data analysis in the aquaponics greenhouse environment. For Objective 4, the project will continue its outreach and recruitment efforts to Increase the number of students pursuing college and career pathways in agriculture, with a focus on underrepresented, first-generation college going, culturally diverse and Native Hawaiian participants through strengthening partnerships with County of Maui Department of Agriculture, local high schools and non-profit organizations.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? For the goals of Objective 1, the project extended and improved the existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program in the form of a new aquaponics technologies internship format that blended use of data collection sensors, remote monitoring equipment systems and data analytics in daily operations and work-based learning applications. The new technologies integrated into student teaching models included Digital relay control interface for greenhouse temperature control; Optical water level valve control system to regulate high and low water level in our aquaponics system; and the Digital Water Flow Meter. For the goals of Objective 2, the project provided students with the technological skills and tools necessary for data analysis, data interpretation and agricultural remote monitoring systems in the following workshops: Marine Science Summer program (June 2023); Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Leadership (July 2023); Malama Ika 'Aina Kekai-Ka 'Ike (July 2023); Culinary Food Independence program (October 2023); Student tours with Department of Agriculture, County of Maui (November 2023); Maui Nui Food Alliance Summit (November 2023). For the goals of Objective 3, the project engaged students in experiential learning projects that integrated remote monitoring devices and data analysis to develop optional design and implementation of energy efficient systems in the aquaponics greenhouse environment including temperature, humidity and other data points for daily monitoring and adjustments. For the goals of Objective 4, the project sought to increase the number of students pursuing college and career pathways in agriculture, with a focus on underrepresented, first-generation college going, culturally diverse and Native Hawaiian participants through outreach and engagement with local community organizations including Department of Education, County of Maui Department of Agriculture and various non-profit organizations.

Publications


    Progress 12/01/21 to 11/30/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audience included adults and youth aged 16+ interested in educational opportunities and career exploration for adapting technologies related to sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and aquaponics in Hawaii. The project piloted new trainings including the Aquaponics Energy Efficiency Lab with 15 students in Fall 2022. The project researched and procured new technology tools to reduce energy costs, implement improvements to the resiliency of greenhouse infrastructure, and improve resource use efficiencies. Changes/Problems:Due to the on-going impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project faced challenges to attain the target participation rates due to limitations in face to face meetings on campus and the on-going surges that resulted from COVID variants. This resulted in a slower overall rate of budget expenditure in Y1. For Y1, we anticipate reaching and potentially exceeding the overall participation goals through the strong community network that has been established through this project, increased community interest in food security during the pandemic, and a return to campus for more in-person trainings and community workshops. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The new aquaponics staff hired through the project attended professional development activities including online trainings for animal welfare training certificationand on-campus trainings for health and safety, as well as trainings with community partners on Native Hawaiian cultural practices. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through meetings with community stakeholders, including the UHMC Sustainability Committee, local farming organizations, and funders to plan for the sustainability of the project. Student teams presented their project outcomes in an online Zoom meeting for other students, faculty, staff and community members as a culminating experience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To further accomplish project goals, the following activities will be conducted in Year 2: For Objective 1, the project will continue to extend and improve the existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program by developing new training modules that blend the use of data collection sensors, remote monitoring equipment systems and data analytics through online, hybrid and in-person training and community workshop formast. For Objective 2, the project will procure new technologies to provide training to students in data analysis, data interpretation and agricultural remote monitoring systems to attain the new industry-accepted Energy Efficiency Lab Certificate of Professional Development credential and other new credentials developed through the project. For Objective 3, the project will continue to engage youth and adult students in experiential learning projects that integrate remote monitoring devices and data analysis in the aquaponics greenhouse environment. For Objective 4, the project will continue its outreach and recruitment efforts to Increase the number of students pursuing college and career pathways in agriculture, with a focus on underrepresented, first-generation college going, culturally diverse and Native Hawaiian participants.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? For the goals of Objective 1, the project extended and improved the existing apprenticeship-based workforce training program by developing a new Energy Efficiency Lab model that blended use of data collection sensors, remote monitoring equipment systems and data analytics through a community workshop format. For the goals of Objective 2, the project provided students with the technological skills and tools necessary for data analysis, data interpretation and agricultural remote monitoring systems to attain the new industry-accepted Energy Efficiency Lab Certificate of Professional Devleopment credential. For the goals of Objective 3, the Energy Efficiency Lab engaged students in experiential learning projects that integrated remote monitoring devices and data analysis to develop optional design and implementation of energy efficient systems in the aquaponics greenhouse environment including temperature, humidity and other data points for daily monitoring and adjustments. For the goals of Objective 4, the project sought to Increase the number of students pursuing college and career pathways in agriculture, with a focus on underrepresented, first-generation college going, culturally diverse and Native Hawaiian participants through outreach and engagement with local community organizations to recruit for the new Energy Efficiency Lab training.?

    Publications