Central State University, the historically Black educational institution in Wilberforce, Ohio, has announced plans to build a botanical and community garden, where members of the university community can grow their own fruits and vegetables.
The university is also building the Demonstration and Agricultural Experiment Station on a 40-acre plot just east of the main entrance to campus. The new station will include an aquaponics facility. Aquaponics combines conventional aquaculture, which involves raising fish or other species in tanks, with hydroponics, which involves cultivating plants in water.
The new station will also house demonstration buildings and other agricultural research facilities.
Pedro L. Martinez, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Central State University, remarked that “the demonstration centers will provide the practical experiences that develop the competencies our graduates need to meet the needs of the State of Ohio and our nation’s workforce.”
