We Grow Aces is an implemented initiative at the University of Evansville that connects sustainability, nutrition, innovation, and community impact through controlled-environment agriculture. Developed through the Center for Innovation & Change, the project uses a hydroponic container farm to grow fresh produce such as lettuce, herbs, vegetables, leafy greens, and nutrient-dense crops year-round, independent of external weather conditions.
The project addresses food insecurity, nutrition gaps, fragile supply chains, and the need for more sustainable local food systems. By growing food locally, We Grow Aces can support campus dining, community organizations, food-access partners, and future collaboration with health and nutrition institutions. This creates opportunities to improve access to fresh food while reducing reliance on long-distance supply chains.
We Grow Aces is more than a farming project. It is a designed food-access system that connects sustainable production, nutrition education, community partnership, applied learning, and measurable impact. Through this model, the initiative demonstrates how universities and local partners can use innovation to strengthen food access, support healthier communities, and build long-term resilience.