Numerous initiatives in higher education aim to engage students in undergraduate research projects, emphasizing the importance of hands-on learning and real-world application of classroom knowledge. Introducing course-based research projects provides students with valuable opportunities to participate in meaningful research, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance their academic experience. This approach supports student learning and fosters a deeper connection between theoretical concepts and practical applications.

This is exemplified by the Ag Entrepreneurship course at [University], where students engaged in the production of microgreens for a prestigious local restaurant in 2024. This presentation aims to share the research journey of students in the Agricultural Entrepreneurship class who utilized the microgreen project to address the challenge of providing fresh mixed greens to the restaurant, highlighting the valuable learning experiences and skills they gained throughout the research process.

Five Ag Entrepreneurship students and a student intern working under the supervision of the greenhouse manager engaged in the project. Information such as production strategies and financial data were researched, collected, and analyzed through students' reflections and feedback from the participating local restaurant.

Through this project, students actively supplied freshly grown local microgreens while gaining valuable insights into experimental design, data collection, and analysis in agricultural research. The microgreen research project encouraged students to think critically, analyze complex problems, and develop innovative solutions by researching and implementing production, marketing, and food safety and quality control practices to meet the needs of the local restaurant while generating additional revenue for the greenhouse. The hands-on experience underscored the importance of research and experimentation in agricultural entrepreneurship. In their reflections, students indicated they have learned to formulate future research questions, demonstrating the project's lasting impact on their academic and professional development.