Merle Jensen

Dr. Merle Jensen's background includes intensive agriculture/food support systems for developing agricultural communities and aerospace application. He has also served as a consultant to a number of major corporations and organizations regarding greenhouse vegetable production.

Research interests include programs in protected agriculture, the growing of horticultural crops out of season using agricultural plastics for modification of the microclimate. Coinciding with these research interests is the application of new systems of protected agriculture to developing agricultural programs throughout the world. These research interests extend to a recent program with NASA in comparing plant growth and reproduction in hydroponic liquid culture versus solid media food production techniques for a "Closed Ecological Life Support System" (CELSS).

Dr. Merle Jensen, Professor Emeritus Plant Sciences, background includes intensive agriculture/food support systems for developing agricultural communities and aerospace application. He has also served as a consultant to a number of major corporations and organizations regarding greenhouse vegetable production and is one of the members of the iAVs research team.

His contributions to the Integrated AquaVegeculture System (iAVs) have been particularly noteworthy, demonstrating a strong scientific foundation that distinguishes the system from similar agricultural technologies.

Merle Jensen is a prominent agricultural scientist and educator renowned for his pioneering contributions to controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and sustainable farming practices. With a career spanning over four decades, Jensen has become a significant figure in the agricultural community, particularly for his innovative approaches to food production and environmental stewardship. His notable work includes the design and implementation of agricultural systems at “The Land” pavilion in EPCOT, which has educated millions of visitors on sustainable farming practices since its opening in 1982.

Born with a deep passion for agriculture, Jensen pursued extensive education in the field, earning degrees from institutions such as California State Polytechnic University, Cornell University, and Rutgers University. His academic foundation allowed him to address complex agricultural challenges, especially in arid environments.

His efforts have garnered recognition, including the ASP Pioneer Award and his election as a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science, solidifying his legacy within the horticultural community.

Merle Jensen was a visionary horticulturist and expert in hydroponic greenhouse culture. He earned academic credentials as a professor at the University of Arizona, demonstrating his qualifications and credibility in the field.

Jensen conducted innovative research on utilizing sand as an effective substrate for growing plants. His findings showed that sand could provide an optimal medium for plant growth and nutrition. This research paved the way for new models of sustainable agriculture.

In addition to his academic work, Jensen played a key role in the development of the iconic Land Pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center in Florida. He helped design and install the sand filters used in the facility’s groundbreaking systems that display future-focused solutions for food production.

As one of the pioneering researchers in sand culture, Merle Jensen left a legacy that still influences modern sustainable agriculture. His interdisciplinary approach spanning both commercial and educational projects embodies the spirit of innovation we aim to carry forward.

As one of the principle consultants on the iAVs research team, Jensen lent his expertise to help create a revolutionary method of sustainable food production.

Jensen was a professor at the University of Arizona focused on greenhouse crop production and hydroponics. His research demonstrated sand to be an effective substrate for growing plants, and that it could effectively filter and purify water in recirculating hydroponic systems. These findings were fundamental building blocks that enabled the fundamentals of iAVs.

Throughout his career, Jensen was driven by a passion to push the boundaries of what was possible in controlled environment agriculture. He channeled his deep expertise and creativity into sustainable solutions that could produce abundant, nutritious crops anywhere in the world. These qualities made him an invaluable member of the iAVs team.

As we continue refining and promoting this sustainable method of food production, we honor Merle Jensen for the integral role he played in iAVs’ conception. This innovative system stands on the shoulders of visionaries like Jensen who devoted their lives to advancing agricultural science. Our whole team is deeply inspired by his contributions.