** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** STARTING YOUNG PLANTS IN VERTICAL INDOOR PROPAGATION (VIP) SYSTEMS USING INDOOR FARMING TECHNOLOGIES HAS THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE SHRINKAGE, CUT DOWN CROPPING CYCLES, AND IMPROVE PLANT UNIFORMITY AND QUALITY DURING GREENHOUSE FINISHING. HOWEVER, UNKNOWNS EXISTABOUT ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SETPOINTS TO OPTIMIZE ROOTING, GROWTH, AND QUALITY OF YOUNG PLANTS INDOORS, ALL OF WHICH ARE NEEDED TO DETERMINE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF VIP SYSTEMS. THIS RESEARCH AND OUTREACH PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:1. MODEL ENERGY REQUIREMENTS FOR VIP SYSTEMS.2. DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE SHRINKAGE AND IMPROVE YOUNG-PLANT GROWTH IN VIP SYSTEMS, FOCUSED ON EVALUATING LIGHT QUANTITY, QUALITY, AND SUBSTRATE TEMPERATURE.3. ASSESS ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF VIP.4. ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS USING A VARIETY OF INFORMATION DELIVERY METHODS.OUR OUTREACH PLAN INCLUDES COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES WITH COMMERCIAL GROWERS AT FOUR FACILITIES WHERE WE WILL COLLECT DATA FOR ENERGY MODEL VALIDATION, TESTING CONTROL ALGORITHMS FOR MIST IRRIGATION, AND GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF VIP. WE WILL ALSO DISSEMINATE RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION THROUGH VARIOUS OUTREACH METHODS, INCLUDING ARTICLES, PRESENTATIONS, AND TRAINING MATERIALS.