Vertical farming is shaping the future of agriculture but who's making sure the next generation of ag-tech innovators is ready to lead the charge?
That's exactly what OpenSTEM, an initiative founded by Sam Norton, is working to solve. By giving students hands-on access to research-grade vertical farming units, OpenSTEM is turning campuses into living laboratories.
Bringing this vision to life required the right engineering expertise. Tanner Hicks, the company's design and build engineer, played a crucial role in OpenSTEM's early development.
Hicks spent two months in San Francisco working alongside Norton to build the first OpenSTEM unit. His engineering expertise was key to creating a fully functional system that could be easily deployed on university campuses. 
Tanner Hicks, Design & Build Engineer (left), and Sam Norton, Founder and CEO (right), with the OpenSTEM unit.
Breaking down barriers to ag-tech research
For most students interested in agricultural research, the hurdles can be daunting. Lab space is limited, faculty projects take priority, and funding can be hard to come by. That often means only a select few get the chance to experiment with their own ideas.
OpenSTEM flips that model. Instead of waiting for a research opportunity to open up, students can apply to use modular, self-contained vertical farming units placed in high-traffic areas on campus. These units are fully automated, allowing students to focus on testing ideas rather than maintaining equipment.
"Most university labs have restricted access and tight funding," says Norton. "We wanted to remove those obstacles and create a system where students can experiment, iterate, and innovate, without needing special permissions or a huge budget."
From testing new hydroponic methods to experimenting with alternative growing mediums, students get hands-on experience in a controlled, low-risk environment. One of the most exciting early projects was done by a team at the College of Charleston that recently grew Bibb lettuce using simulated lunar soil, inspired by NASA research.
A student's perspective
Ethan Lewis, an M.S. Data Science and Analytics student at the College of Charleston, was one of the many students who benefited from OpenSTEM's hands-on approach. His research focused on overhauling OpenSTEM's tech stack to improve automated environmental control and data visualization.
"Participating in OpenSTEM was an unforgettable experience! I was given the opportunity to apply my academic skills in a cutting-edge research environment with an extremely high level of autonomy," says Lewis. "This created the perfect mix of exploring new concepts on my own, while still receiving the support I needed."
Ethan believes this experience was a major highlight of his academic journey, giving him tangible work to showcase on his resume. "I am extremely proud of the work I produced this semester, making my OpenSTEM experience a valuable highlight and talking point on my resume. I would absolutely recommend OpenSTEM to any student looking to conduct or gain research experience today!"
His project is the perfect example of OpenSTEM's mission, which is empowering students to push the boundaries of what's possible in ag-tech research.
Where research meets advertising
One of the most unique aspects of OpenSTEM isn't just how it empowers students but how it funds itself. Instead of relying solely on university grants, the program integrates digital advertising directly into its research units.
Each unit features display screens and product displays where sponsors, such as vertical farms, seed companies, and ag-tech suppliers, can promote their brands. In return, these sponsorships help cover student stipends and research materials.
"It's the same model that keeps social media platforms free," Norton explains. "But instead of selling data, we're offering real-world engagement for brands while directly supporting student innovation."
Each unit has three product display cases to house a sponsor's physical products and three monitors to display a sponsor's custom content.
From pilot program to expansion
Since launching its first pilot at the College of Charleston in early 2024, OpenSTEM has seen strong demand from students eager to test their ideas. Professors are impressed that it provides research opportunities without needing additional resources or supervision, while administrators appreciate that it highlights student innovation in visible areas on campus.
Despite this positive sentiment, there have been challenges. Some students initially proposed projects that weren't practical for vertical farming, like growing crops with high water requirements or energy needs, but since then, OpenSTEM has refined its application process, helping students choose research topics that are more feasible.
Looking for industry partners
Now, as OpenSTEM expands to more campuses, it's looking for sponsors and industry partners to support its mission. The next big step? Collecting detailed engagement metrics, such as how often students and visitors interact with the research units, to provide potential sponsors with clear data on their impact.
While local businesses have already signed on, larger ag-tech companies and retailers want more data before committing. Norton says that a major focus for 2025 is refining metrics to secure those long-term sponsorships.
"Students have incredible ideas, but they need support to bring them to life," Norton says. "By partnering with OpenSTEM, companies aren't just advertising, they're investing in the future of sustainable agriculture."
"This is just the beginning," Norton says. "We're creating a system where students can dream big, experiment boldly, and contribute to the future of agriculture in ways that were never possible before."
For more information: 
OpenSTEM
www.openstem.ai