SmartRoots: Engaging Communities with AI-Driven Sustainable Urban Farming
Year Awarded
2025
Amount
€68,917.2
- Organisation:University College Cork (UCC)
Project Summary
SmartRoots is an innovative public engagement initiative designed to connect communities, particularly underrepresented communities with the future of sustainable agriculture. By combining hands-on workshops, interactive digital tools, and functional vertical micro-farms, SmartRoots serves to demystify the role of real-time data, sensor technology, and embedded artificial intelligence (AI) in food production.
Participants will explore how these technologies contribute to more climate-resilient and efficient agricultural systems, while gaining practical insights into STEM concepts including sustainability practices and the circular economy. The initiative not only fosters environmental awareness but also sparks curiosity and confidence in emerging agri-tech and environmental engineering fields, particularly the use of sensors and artificial intelligence. Through schools, community centres, farmers markets and other public events, SmartRoots will offer an accessible, and inclusive programme of events that inspires diverse audiences (particularly those from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups) to engage with the science behind our food systems.
By bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and everyday life, SmartRoots enables participants to become problem solvers and innovators in the climate-resiliant sustainable food production arena.