Farmers’ training through experiential learning plays a crucial role in the success of their farming businesses. Aspiring farmers seek crucial skill sets, including financial management, marketing strategies, pricing, budgeting, whole-farm planning, and long-term decision-making. The objective of this study was to assess African American farmers’ attitudes and perceptions towards an urban agriculture certificate program launched to equip them with farming skills to help them become more successful in an urban setting. A mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research approach was used to evaluate the impact of this certificate program. Pre- and post-survey questionnaires and interviews were administered to assess farmers’ prior urban farming knowledge and skills and if there were any changes after the certificate program was launched. Eighteen participants (n = 18) who participated and completed the program were surveyed to measure knowledge and skills gained. Results showed that African American farmers participating in the Gary Urban Agriculture Certificate Program significantly (p < 0.03) increased their skill sets and knowledge about farming in comparison to their mean scores from pre- and post-certificate program. When participants were asked to summarize the impact of the course, several mentioned that it helped them develop a comprehensive approach to planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting the produce of their farms. Narratives from interview discussions also support the survey results in which the majority expressed a positive impact of the certificate in helping them learn about the useful farming resources around them and gain skills in running a farm. Key findings support the concept that the urban agriculture certificate program administered by Purdue University impacted participant knowledge and provided a positive attitude towards farming. This study helped us understand the impact of the certificate program. Results provided greater awareness of creating programs to support the development of Gary urban farmers’ ability to become more knowledgeable and successful in their farming endeavors.

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient whose dietary supply varies widely because Se concentrations in plant foods depend on geography, substrate chemistry, crop species, and production practices. Agronomic biofortification can raise Se concentrations in edible tissues, but open-field outcomes are often inconsistent because fertilizer fate and plant uptake are governed by soil properties and weather. Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) allows Se form, concentration, exposure duration, nutrient interactions, and aerial conditions to be regulated more precisely. This review examines the physiological basis of Se uptake and assimilation, the suitability of CEA platforms for Se delivery, the influence of nutrient-solution and environmental factors, effects on yield and phytochemical quality, food-safety considerations, and priorities for commercial deployment. In hydroponic studies, selenate supplied at roughly 2–16 µM typically raised leaf Se by one to two orders of magnitude with little or no yield penalty, whereas higher concentrations reduced biomass in some cultivars. Responses differ among species, cultivars, Se forms, and experimental systems, so universal application rates cannot yet be recommended. We propose that CEA biofortification be designed around a serving-based target window, and that future work prioritize harmonized fresh- and dry-weight reporting, Se speciation, solution mass balance, batch variability, economic evaluation, and commercial-scale validation.

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), including hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and greenhouse cultivation, is rapidly expanding as a strategy to enhance food security under increasing pressures from climate change, urbanization, and growing global food demand. Water is fundamental to ecosystem services, agricultural productivity, economic resilience and human health, yet it is a finite resource that is becoming increasingly scarce and vulnerable to degradation from anthropogenic pollution. Although CEA substantially reduces freshwater consumption and enables year-round crop production, its dependence on recirculating water systems creates distinct food safety challenges that are not adequately addressed within existing public health and regulatory frameworks. Unlike conventional soil-based agriculture, water in CEA serves simultaneously as the medium for nutrient delivery, microbial transport, and pathogen dissemination, allowing contaminants introduced at a single point to spread rapidly throughout an entire production system. Despite epidemiological evidence identifying leafy greens as major vehicles of foodborne illness, outbreak surveillance rarely distinguishes between conventionally and CEA-produced crops, limiting attribution of waterborne risks. Here, we synthesize evidence from environmental microbiology, food safety, epidemiology, and agricultural sciences to evaluate water quality as a central determinant of food safety in CEA. We identify critical gaps in surveillance, microbial risk assessment, monitoring technologies, and regulatory oversight, and propose an integrated framework for water quality management that aligns food safety with sustainable water stewardship. As CEA becomes an increasingly important component of global food production, strengthening water governance and surveillance will be essential to safeguarding public health while realizing the sustainability benefits of water-efficient agriculture.

Light is a critical environmental factor influencing the growth, development, productivity, and nutritional quality of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) in controlled environments. This review examines how light intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod affect watercress physiology, biomass production, morphology, photosynthesis, and accumulation of health-promoting phytochemicals including glucosinolates, phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin), phenolic compounds, flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Published studies investigating varying light regimes, including irradiance, blue and red wavelengths and photoperiods, were evaluated, considering interactions with temperature, carbon dioxide, water, and nutrient availability. The findings indicate that insufficient light can restrict photosynthesis and biomass accumulation, whereas excessive irradiance may cause photoinhibition and reduced physiological performance, amongst other factors. Light quality also strongly influences plant morphology, photosynthetic activity, and nutritional composition, while photoperiod contributes to growth and developmental regulation. Notably, a red-to-blue LED ratio of 7:3 (7R:3B) produces the highest stem length, shoot fresh and dry weight. Other studies have shown that a 50:50 red-to-white LED combination enhances fresh biomass accumulation and photosynthetic performance, whereas green light promotes vitamin C and phenolic compound accumulation. Supplemental blue light increases carotenoid concentrations but may reduce vitamin C levels. Under an equivalent daily light integral, a 12-h photoperiod maximized instantaneous photosynthetic rates, while a 20-h photoperiod produced the highest mean biomass; however, biomass differences between photoperiod treatments were not statistically significant. Overall, successful watercress production requires lighting strategies that optimize light intensity, spectral composition and photoperiod in conjunction with temperature, nutrient availability and water supply to maximize growth, yield and nutritional quality. Future research should prioritize dynamic, cultivar-specific, and precision lighting approaches integrated with environmental controls to improve resource-use efficiency and consistently produce high-quality watercress.

Watercress is a nutrient-dense, aquatic leafy vegetable with significant public health and economic potential. Hydroponically cultivated watercress can offer greater nutritional benefits due to the controlled delivery of specific nutrients. From an agronomist’s perspective, watercress has the advantage of optimized environmental resource efficiency, achieved through reduced energy, chemical, and water consumption, as well as its short cultivation cycle. Glucosinolates (GSLs) in watercress enhance sustainable agriculture by naturally protecting crops from pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical inputs. They also increase market value and shelf-life, supporting resource-efficient and profitable farming. Within the pharmaceutical space, GSLs are well-known for their chemo preventive and anti-inflammatory properties. This review aims to summarize research findings, critically evaluate existing studies to highlight current knowledge, and identify research gaps, and to guide future investigations. The synthesis of the reviewed literature demonstrates that increased sulphate generally improves GSL content. However, not many studies have looked specifically at how magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) affects watercress. This review highlights the specific impact of MgSO₄ on GSL production in watercress, which could provide valuable insights for optimizing nutrient management in hydroponic systems and enhancing the health benefits of this nutrient-dense crop.