Growing Food Within a City

Research project by Fanshawe graduate sparks plan to pursue vertical farming business.

Most people may not think that living in the middle of a city would lend itself to growing their own food. Fanshawe graduate Parminderjeet Singh Deol (Agri-Business Management 2019, Supply Chain Management 2020) found that not only is it possible to do, it is actually a sound business model.

This research project will serve as an exemplar for future students as they prepare business plans in the Agricultural Finance course.

As a student in the Supply Chain Management – Logistics co-op program, and having recently completed the AgriBusiness Management graduate program at the London South Campus, Parminderjeet had the opportunity to conduct a research project as the principal investigator. Originally from India, he comes from a family of farmers and has a sincere interest in agriculture and agri-business.

“My research project was to grow microgreens and to see the effects of different seed densities, growing media and light on the yield of microgreens and to develop a business plan,” said Parminderjeet. “I developed a business plan focusing on three microgreens that I found highly profitable and easy to grow and harvest.”

By using vertical farming to grow microgreens, several trays can be used at once, taking up limited space. This makes it ideal for people who are interested in growing nutritious food while living and working in a city. Parminderjeet’s research shows the three microgreens that were found to be most profitable were sunflowers, peas and red radishes. Inspired by the research, he is interested in pursuing vertical farming as a business himself.

“This research project will serve as an exemplar for future students as they prepare business plans in the Agricultural Finance course,” says Sandra Wilson, coordinator of the Agri-Business Management program. “It demonstrates the level of research necessary to develop a strong business plan, and the fact that it was completed by a student makes it very real.”

Parminderjeet entered his research project into Fanshawe’s annual Research and Innovation Day—a showcase for students and staff who have conducted original research. His project was the highest-scoring project from the Faculty of Business, Information Technology and Part-time Studies.