Central Wyoming College Positions Controlled Environment Agriculture Program as Wyoming’s Workforce and Food Innovation Hub

RIVERTON, Wyo. — Central Wyoming College (CWC) is advancing Wyoming’s future in agriculture through its Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) program, a technology-driven initiative designed to prepare the next generation of agricultural professionals while strengthening local food systems, economic development, and community resilience.

Developed in collaboration with the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP), the University of Wyoming, industry partners, and producers across the state, CWC’s CEA program serves as a regional hub for education, workforce development, and applied learning in one of agriculture’s fastest-growing sectors.

Controlled Environment Agriculture is a technologically advanced approach to crop production that enables plants to be grown within carefully managed environments. The field encompasses a range of production methods, including traditional greenhouses, indoor farming facilities, and vertical farming systems that support consistent, year-round food production.

As Central Wyoming College prepares for fall enrollment, students interested in agriculture, sustainability, and emerging technologies have the opportunity to explore careers in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Through hands-on learning experiences led by Ethan Page, Local Food and Agriculture Instructor, students gain practical skills and industry knowledge in one of the fastest-growing sectors of modern agriculture while helping strengthen Wyoming’s local food systems and workforce.

The program aligns closely with CWC’s long-standing Grow Your Own: Food, Jobs and Community initiative, which focuses on increasing access to locally produced food while expanding employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in agriculture. By integrating CEA training into existing agricultural programs, Central Wyoming College is creating pathways for students to gain practical skills in modern food production systems while remaining connected to Wyoming’s agricultural heritage.

Through its partnership with WIP and the University of Wyoming, CWC is helping address an emerging workforce need identified across the state’s growing CEA business network. The collaborative effort combines research, education, and industry engagement to ensure training programs reflect real-world workforce demands and evolving technologies.

Unlike traditional agricultural systems that depend heavily on seasonal weather patterns, CEA technologies offer opportunities for efficient production in controlled environments, reducing limitations imposed by climate and geography. These systems can contribute to stronger local supply chains, improved access to fresh produce, and greater food security for rural and remote communities.

The CWC CEA program emphasizes hands-on learning, industry collaboration, and two-way engagement with producers and businesses. Students gain exposure to emerging agricultural technologies while industry partners help shape educational experiences that support workforce readiness and innovation.

As Wyoming continues exploring new approaches to food production and agricultural entrepreneurship, CWC’s Controlled Environment Agriculture program stands at the intersection of education, workforce development, and economic growth.

By connecting students, researchers, producers, and industry leaders, the program is helping build a more resilient and sustainable future for Wyoming agriculture – one that supports local communities, strengthens food systems, and prepares the workforce needed for the next generation of agricultural innovation.

A three-part video series highlighting student experiences, workforce development, and agricultural innovation is available at https://www.cwc.edu/regenerative-food-systems/.

About Central Wyoming College’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Program

Central Wyoming College’s Controlled Environment Agriculture program prepares students for careers in advanced agricultural production through education, workforce training, and industry partnerships. Working in collaboration with the Wyoming Innovation Partnership and the University of Wyoming, the program provides hands-on learning opportunities focused on greenhouse production, indoor agriculture, vertical farming, and emerging agricultural technologies that support year-round food production and economic development across Wyoming.