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Who we are
The Queen's Vertical Farming Team is Canada's first undergraduate engineering team of its kind. Recognizing this rapidly emerging industry, QVFT is designing and building a functional, software-automated aeroponic vertical farm on Queen's University campus. The majority of existing research in this field is conducted privately and is thus inaccessible to the public. Through its open-source approach, QVFT aims to democratize vertical farming knowledge and research. Our 25 alumni and 13 current members come from diverse academic disciplines and represent all four years of study.
![Aeroponic Farming](https://d33wubrfki0l68.cloudfront.net/e73c30fce97c54c9c85b01b7760eeb7479fd823f/5c26d/fullyautomated.png)
Aeroponic Farming
![Premium Produce](https://d33wubrfki0l68.cloudfront.net/1f17004295d89d75253b803d335e8409514e7247/5d77c/premiumproduce.png)
Premium Produce
![Dedicated Growers](https://d33wubrfki0l68.cloudfront.net/cbdd0ebf882b5ec33a6a8008c487010b67ec6f2b/013eb/ourteam.png)
Dedicated Growers
Timeline
December 2019
Set sub-team goals and developed implementation strategies
Research and Design Phase I
- Completed technical outline of software-based automation system
- Completed technical outline of mechanical system
January 2020
Research and Design Phase II
- Began development of automation system
- Researched plant germination strategies, nutritional requirements, lighting specifications, and water consumption considerations
- Developed an early-stage mechanical schematic of aeroponic nutrition system
Participated in Commerce-Engineering Environmental Conference trade show
Began partnership with ZipGrow Inc.
February 2020
Participated in Queen's Water Environment Conference trade show
Research and Design Phase III
- Developed front-end, back-end, data storage, and sensory components for automation system
- Finalized plant cultivation protocols and completed research report
- Finalized mechanical schematic of aeroponic nutrition system and began 3D CAD model using SolidWorks
March 2020
Began partnership with SIMBL Business Enablement
Received research grant from Faculty of Arts & Science Student Initiatives Fund
October 2020
Received official ratification from the Queen's Engineering Society
December 2020
Completed first iteration of 3D CAD Model (SolidWorks)
January 2021
Began partnership with Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre
March 2021
Participated in Queen's Healthcare & Business Conference trade show
Participated in Commerce-Engineering Environmental Conference trade show
October 2021
Research and Design Phase IV
- Resize vertical farm design in order to fit in smaller location
- Adapted farm model to eliminate components and reduce cost
- Integrated GrabCad Workbench for CAD organization and online design viewing
June 2022
Collaboration with Muise Labs
- Began collaboration on a technology, research based farm
- Vertical farm proposal key to help computing masters students research effecitve vertical farming methods
October 2022
Submitted NSERC proposal
- Muise Labs and QVFT submitted NSERC proposal to gain money for new farm
- Completed new render of research-based farm