How Digital Twins and Open Data Are Transforming Urban Farming and Agricultural Innovation 

Leveraging data analytics, modeling, and scientometrics, experts like Dr. Devon Whetstone, a Scientometric Data scientist at Parallax Advanced Research and Ohio Aerospace Institute, are helping urban farmers make smarter, more sustainable decisions. 

Urban farming is no longer just a community garden on an empty lot — it’s a vital part of Cleveland’s food security, sustainability, and neighborhood resilience strategy. From rooftop hydroponics to vertical towers and underground grow sites, urban farms are feeding more people while using less space and fewer resources than ever before. 

But to make urban agriculture truly efficient, scalable, and resilient, growers need more than green thumbs — they need data. Enter the world of precision urban agriculture: using sensors, digital models, and open data to optimize yield, reduce waste, and build community-driven food systems that thrive. 

One person helping shape this vision is Dr. Devon Whetstone, a leading scientometric data scientist with Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), who is working on the OAI-led Precision Urban Agriculture Initiative, a groundbreaking effort aimed at addressing food insecurity in urban areas and made possible through $963,000 in Community Project Funding secured by Congresswoman Shontel Brown and supported by the Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. Devon’s expertise in data analytics, technology forecasting, and horizon scanning is helping urban growers, technologists, and community leaders tap into the power of data to grow smarter — and more sustainably.  

What Is Predictive Agriculture?

Predictive agriculture is all about turning information into foresight. Through tools like sensors and advanced analytics, urban farmers can now monitor soil health, water usage, lighting, pest activity, and even microclimates — all in real time. This data-driven approach helps growers make small adjustments that add up to big results: better yields, less waste, and lower costs. For urban farms in tight city spaces where every drop of water and watt of energy counts, predictive analytics makes the difference between break-even and bounty. Historical weather trends, IoT sensor data, and real-time feedback loops can help farmers plan for droughts, adjust nutrient inputs, and manage pests before they become catastrophic.

Creating Digital Twins for Urban Farms

One of the most promising innovations in precision urban agriculture is the use of digital twins — virtual replicas of physical growing systems.

As Devon explains, “Digital twin technology lets urban farmers simulate real-world conditions, run ‘what-if’ scenarios, and detect problems before they spiral.”

For example, a vertical farm in Cleveland could create a digital twin of its hydroponic system. By feeding in live data on temperature, humidity, light levels, and nutrient flow, growers can forecast crop performance, plan for extreme weather, and fine-tune operations with unprecedented accuracy.

This approach is already used in industries from aerospace to healthcare — but its potential to streamline maintenance, prevent equipment failures, and make urban food systems more resilient is only beginning to be tapped.

Empowering Urban Growers with Analytics

So where does all this data come from? Urban farms today gather inputs from environmental sensors, plant health monitors, drone imagery, IoT-connected irrigation systems, and even market data. But data alone isn’t enough — it must be usable. Devon notes that the key to accessibility is user-friendly tools and intuitive interfaces.

“Visual dashboards, drag-and-drop apps, or even voice commands can help non-technical growers make sense of complex analytics,” she says. “The goal is to make these tools feel like using a smartphone — not like writing code.”

Partnerships between technologists, growers, and community organizations are critical. Local universities like Cleveland State University and neighborhood non-profits can help train new growers and build the digital literacy needed to turn raw data into daily, on-the-ground decisions.

Democratizing Precision Agriculture with Open Data

For small-scale urban farmers, access to high-quality data can be a major barrier. That’s why open data — freely accessible, well-structured data sets — is so vital to leveling the playing field.

As a champion of open science, Devon believes open data can drive better transparency, collaboration, and community engagement.

“When growers can see how other neighborhoods are solving problems or what crops thrive where, they can innovate faster without reinventing the wheel,” she says.

Of course, open data brings its own challenges: privacy, data quality, and the digital divide. As Devon points out, urban farmers must have not only the right tools but also the know-how to interpret and apply data effectively.

What’s Next for Data-Driven Urban Farming?

So, what should Cleveland’s urban farmers, technologists, and civic leaders watch for next?

According to Devon, emerging trends include more sophisticated vertical and underground farming systems — like London’s subterranean grow tunnels — as well as greater use of autonomous drones and AI for monitoring crops and livestock. Integrating urban farming with smart city infrastructure could unlock new efficiencies in energy, water, and waste management.

Open data and scientometrics will continue to help policymakers and funders pinpoint where support is needed most, from closing research gaps to building triple-helix partnerships between universities, businesses, and local governments.

As urban farming continues to grow across Greater Cleveland, the integration of predictive analytics, digital twins, and open data will shape the future of how, where, and what we grow. With the right tools, training, and partnerships, urban farmers can turn data into decisions — and decisions into thriving, resilient local food systems.

About the Expert: Devon Whetstone

Devon Whetstone is an APEX Scientometric Data Scientist whose work bridges the gap between data and practical innovation. With a Ph.D. in Information Science and Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri, a master’s in quantitative applied research, and an MBA in progress at Purdue University, Devon specializes in scientometrics, data analytics, technology forecasting, and tech-based economic development. She has supported projects ranging from Autonomy Industry Days to IR&D programs, always with a focus on how data-driven insights can strengthen partnerships and accelerate innovation. For Devon, the ultimate goal is clear: help urban farms feed more people, more sustainably — through the power of information.

This work was performed under the following financial assistance award 60NANB24D146 from U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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About Parallax Advanced Research & The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI)     

Parallax is a private advanced research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and OAI formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. OAI plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.