UA Greenhouse Activities Air on Fox 11 Arizona
By Susan McGinley
October 03, 2003
Medicinal and neutraceutical plants grow in the air, a food production chamber is destined for the deep freeze of the new South Pole Station in Antarctica, a bumper crop of cherry tomatoes hang like grapes on the vines, and a lot more was seen on on Fox-11, "Good Morning Arizona" on Oct. 7.
"Good Morning Arizona," "the number one news show in Arizona," featured highlights from the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) in Tucson, part of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The show covered current commercial applications, and future technologies that are changing the greenhouse industry in Arizona, around the world, and beyond.
"The University of Arizona has been prominently featured on many of its programs since it began broadcasting statewide. I'm excited that the program has been receptive to such diverse stories as featuring our students and faculty from the College of Engineering; the UA Marching Band; the Arizona State Museum; the School of Music and Dance; the new bookstores and Student Union and the Flandrau Science Center. I also learned recently that this has become the top-rated morning television program in the Phoenix area. This is very good news."
Julieta Gonzalez
UA's National and Fine Arts News Coordinator has been instrumental in coordinating campus segments with local "Good Morning Arizona" reporter, Gibby Parra
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Four short episodes, shown at one-hour intervals beginning at 5:30 a.m., will give viewers a sample of the variety of teaching and research programs in progress at the center. Each segment will air for a few minutes only, on the half hour.
On Air:
5:30 a.m.: Cherry tomato greenhouse - One day before harvest, student Johann Buck will lead you through towering rows of cherry tomatoes grown hydroponically.
6:30 a.m.: Aeroponic plant greenhouse - Take a tour through a "garden" of high-value neutraceutical plants growing literally in air. Special systems mist the bare roots in a research facility supported by Native American Botanicals, Inc. of Tucson, a cooperative business, and managed by Chris Pagliarulo, a UA graduate student.
7:30 a.m.: South Pole growing chamber--See the technology that will enable researchers in Antarctica to grow their own fresh salad vegetables indoors - beginning in 2004 - and improve their psychological well-being as well while living/working in the darkness of the South Pole winter. Lane Patterson will describe the recirculating hydroponic system.
8:30 a.m.: Living laboratory--Plant science lecturer Patricia Rorabaugh will guide viewers through a tomato greenhouse dedicated to teaching students the latest commercial growing techniques, focusing on greenhouse production in Arizona.
The CEAC is an interdisciplinary research, education and outreach facility located at the UA Campus Agricultural Center in Tucson. Students and faculty from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, including agricultural and biosystems engineering; agricultural education; soil, water and environmental sciences; and plant sciences, currently participate in its programs.
- Updated: October 03, 2003
