Presenter(s): Anabelle Huffman
Co Presenter(s): Isabel Mosley, Sydney Gastman
Faculty Mentor(s): Sarah Stoeckl & Peg Boulay
Poster 174
Session: Environmental Leaders ARC
Our project explores the method of companion planting as an alternative way to produce food. Companion planting is the process of growing different plants together in order to enhance growth, increase pollination, and control pests. We are using the methods of companion planting in order to explore the success and effectiveness of this alternative to monoculture farms. To explore companion planting we have been working in the Grow Pod at the University of Oregon. The Grow Pod is an old shipping container that has been converted into an indoor greenhouse in order to explore the experimental methods of indoor agriculture. We have combined the experimental nature of indoor agriculture with companion planting in order to explore alternative methods which may be the future of agriculture. Within the Grow Pod we have been able to consult Alex, a master gardener, who has the background and expertise to guide our companion planting experiment. As our work with companion planting progresses we are looking to see how this method of agriculture impacts our produce through either supporting or infringing on healthy plants. Through our exploration of companion planting we are hoping to explore whether or not this method is more effective as a solution to stray away from the harmful forms of agriculture in that are currently in use in the future.