Key Takeaways
- The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is conducting research on using light-emitting diode (LED) technology to increase local food production in the Interior.
- The goal of the research is to make growing food during the Alaskan winter more efficient and allow more gardeners to cultivate plants year-round.
- LED lights are more efficient and affordable than older technology, and allow for more control of the quality and spectrum of light emitted.
- The research aims to expand the growing season in the Interior for both commercial and personal use.
- A seminar is being held to showcase the research and provide information to the community on how to use LED technology for growing plants.
Introduction to the Research
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is working to increase local food production in the Interior by using existing technologies to make the process of growing food during the Alaskan winter more efficient. This research is crucial for the region, as it aims to reduce dependence on other areas for food and increase food security. According to Professor of Horticulture Meriam Karlsson, "We don’t want to be dependent on other regions because you never know what can happen. We can be cut off and then food security becomes really important that we can sustain ourselves with what we can grow locally." The research focuses on using light-emitting diode (LED) technology, which has been shown to be more efficient and affordable than older technology.
The Benefits of LED Technology
LED lights are able to generate the necessary light for plant growth, which is essential for many plants to thrive. In the past, supplemental lighting was expensive and required a lot of energy, but LED lights have made it more affordable and efficient. Karlsson explained that LED lights also allow for more control of the quality and spectrum of light emitted, which is important for different types of plants. For example, leafy greens and microgreens require different light quality and spectrum than flowering plants. The university has been researching which factors are ideal for plant growth, and has found that LED lights can be adapted for different types of production, from commercial to personal use.
Current Research and Applications
The university is currently growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers at its Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station Greenhouse, attached to the Arctic Health Research Building. The knowledge gained from this research has the potential to expand the growing season in the Interior for both commercial and personal use. Karlsson hopes that the research will enable gardeners to grow plants in their homes, kitchens, or garages, even during the winter months. The university is also planning a conference for a couple of years from now, which will focus on agriculture in polar regions and provide an opportunity for collaboration with other arctic nations.
Sharing the Research with the Community
The university is hosting a seminar to showcase its research and provide information to the community on how to use LED technology for growing plants. The seminar is part of a monthly series covering issues with agriculture in circumpolar regions and is open to UAF students as well as the general community. Both in-person and online attendance are available, and the seminar is expected to be available online after it is completed. Karlsson believes that the seminar will provide valuable information to the community and help to increase local food production in the Interior. By sharing its research with the community, the university hopes to empower gardeners and farmers to use LED technology to grow their own food, even during the harsh Alaskan winters.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The research being conducted at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has the potential to revolutionize the way food is grown in the Interior. By using LED technology, gardeners and farmers can increase their yields and extend the growing season, even in the midst of winter. The university’s commitment to sharing its research with the community is crucial for increasing local food production and promoting food security in the region. As Karlsson noted, "We can do it commercially, but also there is a lot of applications and a lot of opportunities for gardeners or those who want to grow something in the winter, even in their kitchen or their garage or their basement, because some of this technology can be adapted and used in all kinds of different sizes of production." The future of agriculture in the Interior looks bright, thanks to the innovative research being conducted at UAF.
