In a classroom just outside Tampa, students cluster around an AI-driven grow chamber, eyes fixed on a monitor flashing real-time data. They’re 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. It’s the future of education, and it’s 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 tomorrow’s careers starting today. Farm-Ed is a masterclass for workforce readiness. Angel’s 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. “Memorization isn’t enough anymore,” said Angel. “Students need to learn how to think critically, experiment, and apply knowledge in real time.” Farm-Ed’s 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. It’s 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. “Farm-Ed is about growing plants and growing minds,” Angel explained. “When students see the impact of their decisions, they engage deeply and take ownership. That’s where true learning happens.” 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 company’s broader mission is to equip students from all backgrounds with the tools to thrive in biotech, sustainable agriculture, AI, and related fields. Angel’s impact has earned national recognition. He has been featured on CNBC’s 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 USF’s College of Pharmacy. Despite this national presence, his roots remain in Tampa, where his entrepreneurial spirit first took shape. “Education should feel like discovery, not routine. At Farm-Ed, we’re turning classrooms into innovation labs. We’re building a generation that’s ready to solve real problems,” 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 isn’t just imagining the future of learning, he’s building it. tampabayconnects
