Visit to Mind Your Garden
As part of our ongoing research initiative under the guidance of our Principal Investigator, Dr. Caroline Krejci, our team had the opportunity to visit Mind Your Garden, a community-focused urban farm dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices. This field visit provided us with first-hand exposure to the inner workings of a localized food production system.
We observed how the farm operates a closed-loop supply chain—leveraging composted organic waste to produce nutrient-rich manure, which in turn supports the cultivation of fresh, chemical-free vegetables. The team at Mind Your Garden also demonstrated their efficient use of space and resources through vertical gardening, drip irrigation systems, and a well-coordinated network for sourcing and distributing produce within the community.
This immersive experience deepened our understanding of decentralized food systems and offered valuable insights into how urban agriculture can serve as a resilient and sustainable model for food production and waste reduction. It was a highly enriching learning opportunity that will contribute significantly to our research on sustainable supply chain management.
20th March, 2025
New Research: Developing an Inventory Management System for Local Food Hub Kitchen Equipment Rental
The FASST Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is excited to showcase recent research on developing an inventory management system for local food hub kitchen equipment rental. Led by Tracy Nguyen and Dr. Caroline Krejci, this project supports small farms and local food producers by enhancing logistics and inventory tracking for shared kitchen equipment.
The research aims to strengthen local food system resilience by leveraging best practices in sustainable logistics. A case study with Healthy Harvest of North Iowa, a nonprofit supporting local food networks, helped identify key challenges such as disorganized equipment management and lack of tracking systems.
28 February, 2025
Agent-Based Model Simulation for Production and Inventory Control
As part of our ongoing research into innovative teaching methodologies, we conducted a hands-on learning session with students enrolled in the Production and Inventory Control course at the University of Texas at Arlington. This session introduced an Agent-Based Model (ABM) simulation designed to provide students with a dynamic and interactive experience in inventory management and competitive decision-making.
This initiative reflects our commitment to integrating experiential learning techniques into supply chain education, helping students develop practical skills in inventory management, demand forecasting, and competition-driven decision-making.
23 November, 2024