In a classroom just outside Tampa, students cluster around an AI-driven grow chamber, eyes fixed on a monitor flashing real-time data. Theyβre growing plants to their full genetic potential by analyzing environmental patterns, tweaking light exposure, and measuring outcomes against machine learning predictions. This is a hands-on science experiment. Itβs the future of education, and itβs happening now, thanks to Tampa native and lifelong entrepreneur Garyn Angel. Angel is the founder of Farm-Ed, a Tampa-based education technology company transforming how students learn. By blending controlled environment agriculture, artificial intelligence, and financial literacy into school curriculums, Farm-Ed shifts education away from memorization and focuses on project-based learning. The goal is to help students build skills for tomorrowβs careers starting today. Farm-Ed is a masterclass for workforce readiness. Angelβs entrepreneurial path started early. By middle school, he had launched his first business. At 16, he ran a stereo installation company. By 19, he sold his first computer firm. After graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in finance, he built a high-net-worth financial planning firm and later became Chief Strategy Officer at Ananda Scientific, a biotech company leading clinical trials with top universities. All of these accomplishments laid the groundwork, but it was his vision for a more hands-on, equitable education system that sparked the creation of Farm-Ed. βMemorization isnβt enough anymore,β said Angel. βStudents need to learn how to think critically, experiment, and apply knowledge in real time.β Farm-Edβs platform centers on climate-controlled grow chambers that collect over 200 data points each day. Students grow crops while learning precision agriculture. They then test their results against AI predictions. Itβs an immersive experience that combines biology, data science, engineering, and economic reasoning. For many schools, particularly Title 1 and underserved campuses, Farm-Ed offers accessible and forward-thinking STEM education. High school students can earn biotech certifications. Colleges and universities use the system for advanced research. Current partners include West Virginia University, Ohio State University, West Virginia State University, and the University of South Florida. βFarm-Ed is about growing plants and growing minds,β Angel explained. βWhen students see the impact of their decisions, they engage deeply and take ownership. Thatβs where true learning happens.β Farm-Ed emphasizes equity and real-world readiness. Its curriculum connects STEM exploration with financial literacy and supply chain economics, helping students understand not just how things grow but also how they move through the economy. The companyβs broader mission is to equip students from all backgrounds with the tools to thrive in biotech, sustainable agriculture, AI, and related fields. Angelβs impact has earned national recognition. He has been featured on CNBCβs Next List of “100 Entrepreneurs to Have a Big Impact on the World,” contributes to Forbes and Entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Advisors for USFβs College of Pharmacy. Despite this national presence, his roots remain in Tampa, where his entrepreneurial spirit first took shape. βEducation should feel like discovery, not routine. At Farm-Ed, weβre turning classrooms into innovation labs. Weβre building a generation thatβs ready to solve real problems,β said Angel. Through Farm-Ed, Angel is redefining what modern education can look like, interactive, data-driven, and deeply connected to real-world challenges. As the company expands nationally, its mission remains rooted in empowering the next generation of innovators, particularly those in underserved communities. By bridging ag tech, AI, and financial literacy, Angel isnβt just imagining the future of learning, heβs building it. tampabayconnects
