With the U.S. Department of Commerce announcement that it intends to withdraw from a tomato trade agreement between the U.S. and Mexico, potentially placing a penalty of more than 17% on all Mexican tomato imports, consumers are likely confused about what to expect in the marketplace.
CEA Alliance members include high-tech greenhouse growers and vertical farms, with increasing investment across the United States. Greenhouse tomatoes are grown throughout the country, with major operations in Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, California, Minnesota, and more. USDA reports that production of U.S. greenhouse-grown tomatoes has increased by almost 70% from 2010 to 2023, while field-grown tomatoes have decreased by 49%. U.S. greenhouse tomato growers now grow more than one-third of all U.S. fresh tomatoes, although their voice as U.S. growers has not been heard in Commerce Department deliberations.
Many of these U.S. growers also grow in Canada and Mexico in order to provide year-round fresh produce for consumers. “U.S. greenhouse tomato growers believe the Commerce Department should renegotiate the suspension agreement to ensure market stability for both U.S. consumers and U.S. greenhouse tomato growers,” said Tom Stenzel, Executive Director of the CEA Alliance. “Without an agreement, consumers are likely to see significant price increases and potential shortages in greenhouse-grown, vine-ripe, and specialty tomatoes that they choose for taste and flavor.”
Penalizing these U.S. growers who also grow in Canada and Mexico is also likely to slow what has been a fast-growing investment in U.S. greenhouses. These companies want to invest more in the U.S. to be closer to consumers, but will have limited opportunity if a suspension agreement is not renegotiated with the Department of Commerce.
“When determining the best course of action for American farmers and consumers, the CEA Alliance believes the Department of Commerce must take into account the views of one-third of America’s tomato farmers – U.S. greenhouse tomato growers – not just field growers,” Stenzel said.
The Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance (CEA Alliance) is a membership trade association representing and serving vertical farms and greenhouse producers growing fruits and vegetables in a highly controlled indoor production environment. Controlled environment growers employ a variety of agricultural production methods and technology to create optimal growing conditions with rigorous environmental controls. Growers utilize innovative technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and soil-based systems to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. For more information, please contact Tom Stenzel, Executive Director, at Tom@CEAAlliance.com.
Prospiant, a leading U.S. provider of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) greenhouse solutions (and Indoor Ag-Con exhibitor!), is proud to announce the appointment of Burk Metzger as the company’s new President. Burk will report directly to Gibraltar CEO Bill Bosway.
Metzger is a seasoned leader with deep roots in the CEA industry. Since joining Prospiant in April 2021 as General Manager of Prospiant Canada, he has made a strong impact, strengthening the company’s position in the Produce end market and improving overall business performance.
“Burk is an accomplished and successful leader in the controlled-environment agriculture industry with a long history as both a grower and owner-operator,” says Bill Bosway, CEO of Gibraltar. “Given this experience, Burk truly understands the various opportunities for our customers. He knows what is needed from Prospiant to help them achieve the highest return possible on their investment.”
Prior to Prospiant, Metzger served as General Manager of Protected Agriculture at Lipman Family Farms, where he oversaw operational management, location acquisitions and integrations, and managed independent contract growers. Before that, he founded and led Suntastic Hothouse Inc./Huron Produce for 24 years before selling the business to Lipman in 2018.
With firsthand experience as both a grower and a business owner, Metzger brings a unique and valuable perspective to his new role.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead and continue the growth of Prospiant together with our teams in the U.S. and Canada,” Metzger says. “Having been in our customers’ shoes and understanding their operational challenges allows us to offer better solutions every day of the week.
“With our new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Cincinnati, OH, coming online this year, significant investments in our Kingsville, ON, facility, and the broadest offering of solutions in North America, our experienced team is set to lead the way.”
Metzger holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Nuertingen-Geislingen University in Germany. He brings extensive experience to his new role in strategic planning, project and construction management, food systems, organizational integration, and operations leadership.
Metzger will relocate from the Detroit area to Prospiant’s headquarters in Cincinnati in the near future.
Please join us in welcoming Burk Metzger into his new role. We look forward to this next chapter under his leadership.
About Prospiant Prospiant, the agriculture technology portfolio of Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROCK), is a leading North American provider of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) ag-tech solutions and custom greenhouses. Formed from the combined expertise of legacy companies Rough Brothers, Nexus Greenhouse Systems, and ThermoEnergy Solutions, Prospiant offers unmatched capabilities in greenhouse manufacturing, design, engineering, construction, and support.
With decades of experience across commercial horticulture, produce, research, education, and retail, Prospiant helps growers and institutions thrive with innovative, scalable greenhouse and ag-tech systems. Learn more at Prospiant.com.
About Gibraltar
Gibraltar Industries is a leading manufacturer and provider of products and services for the renewable energy, residential, agtech, and infrastructure markets. With a three-pillar strategy focused on business systems, portfolio management, and organization and talent development, Gibraltar’s mission is to create compounding and sustainable value with strong leadership positions in higher-growth, profitable end markets. Gibraltar serves customers primarily throughout North America. Learn more at Gibraltar1.com.
Growers, Researchers, and Industry Pros Come Together September 9-10 to Share Ideas, Spark Connections, and Move CEA Forward
The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East will return to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, Virginia on September 9-10, 2025 for its fourth edition. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center, a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech, the 2025 event will once again bring together professionals from across the CEA spectrum—academia, business, and technology—for two days of education, networking, and exploration of the future of indoor farming.
Building on the success of the 2024 summit, which welcomed attendees from 35 U.S. states and international markets including Canada, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong, the 2025 event will feature an expanded conference program with key educational tracks:
CEA Skills (topics like lighting, IPM, food safety, environmental controls, and pathogen ID)
Business (budgeting, operations, labor management)
Education, Outreach & Workforce Training (K-12 programs, CEA degree paths, training initiatives)
The popular CEA Industry & Research Showcase sessions also return to the agenda, spotlighting case studies and research from leading growers and academic teams. Attendees can also look forward to inspiring keynotes (to be announced soon), tabletop exhibits, networking opportunities and tours of the CEA Innovation Center.
In addition to educational sessions and networking, attendees will have the opportunity to explore tabletop exhibits featuring the latest innovations, products, and services driving the CEA sector forward. Exhibitors include industry leaders like Priva, Pace 49, Atlas Greenhouse, Rimol Greenhouse Systems, SGS, and Green Food Solutions.. These suppliers offer solutions spanning environmental controls, crop protection, structures, testing, and more—giving attendees a hands-on look at the tools shaping the future of indoor growing.
“CEA Summit East has become a key annual event for connecting the dots between industry and academia,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “Whether you’re a grower, educator, researcher, supplier, or policymaker, the 2025 summit offers a wonderful opportunity to learn, network, and move the needle forward for controlled environment agriculture.”
Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center, added, “The 2025 Summit will build on the momentum we’ve created over the past three years. We’re excited to welcome new voices, and continue to support the industry’s growth through innovation and shared knowledge.”
Registration, speaking opportunities, and tabletop exhibit space applications are now open. For more details and updates, visit the event website www.ceasummit.com
About Indoor Ag-Con:
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. For more information, visit www.indoor.ag
About the CEA Innovation Center:
The Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project between Virginia Tech, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and industry that is working to advance the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector in Virginia, the U.S., and internationally through leveraging its collective resources, skills, and expertise by addressing the needs of the industry with research, education, and extension programs. For more information, visit www.ceaic.org
From Hortidaily Hopefully, everyone has recovered from their trip to Vegas, because we have some photos to share! This week, Indoor Ag-Con took place there. Originally focused on the leafy greens industry, the event has evolved into a multi-crop gathering, with a notable increase in vine crop and cannabis growers. But perhaps it’s no surprise that the event attracted such significant attention—there’s a lot happening in the North American market, and the industry seems eager to learn and grow together.
The event itself moved to the Westgate this year. While it’s not the most modern venue in Vegas, the convenience of having a hotel nearby and the networking opportunities seemed to be appreciated by most exhibitors and attendees.
The term CEA is primarily used by indoor and vertical growers, whereas many greenhouse companies have distanced themselves from it—perhaps to avoid associations with the struggles and bankruptcies in the vertical farming sector. However, it remains a useful way to categorize crops grown in controlled indoor environments. One thing that became clear during the event is the tremendous growth this sector has seen. Many leafy greens growers, both vertical and greenhouse-based, recalled their early, difficult conversations with retailers. When they first started, their products were so new to the market that retailers didn’t quite understand them—one grower even mentioned their product being referred to as “lettuce with a beard.”
Today, indoor-grown leafy greens and vine crops hold a strong position in the retail segment, and despite ongoing challenges, several companies are optimistic about future growth. That being said, the current market isn’t an easy one. Many growers and suppliers commented that while tariffs will be inconvenient, it’s the uncertainty and constant regulatory changes that are truly frustrating for businesses. Combine that with the influx of private equity and external investment into the industry, and it’s understandable that the rapid expansion once expected may face further delays.
Given these challenges, the positive and optimistic atmosphere at Indoor Ag-Con was remarkable—but it was definitely there. Perhaps it’s a sign of a maturing market. Perhaps it’s the shared experience of overcoming challenges together—whether that’s dealing with the rugose virus, navigating the H-2 visa program, or adapting to unclear crop protection regulations. Or maybe the industry is finally realizing that keeping intellectual property locked away isn’t necessarily the key to success, and that collaboration can drive growth.
Initiatives like the CEA Alliance, grower-focused events like the Leamington Grower Expo, and other industry gatherings are bringing growers together more frequently. Are we becoming less afraid of each other? Or was it just the Vegas setting that sent the industry into a whirlwind for 48 hours? Only time will tell.
A walk around the trade show floor highlighted the latest trends in horticulture. We’ve captured it all digitally for you and will update you soon with more novelties and insights.
From The Packer, March 13, 2025 | By Jennifer Strailey — The state of the industry keynote at Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, explored the industry’s past and present challenges, “transformative change,” success stories and more.
The state of the industry keynote at Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, explored the industry’s past and present challenges, ‘transformative change,’ success stories and more.
Moderated by Tom Stenzel, executive director of the CEA Alliance, the discussion featured panelists from three different business models of controlled environment agriculture: vertical farming; semi-closed, greenhouse-grown salads; and greenhouse-grown tomatoes.
Panelists including Tisha Livingston, president and co-founder of 80 Acres and CEO of Infinite Acres; Abby Prior, chief commercial officer for BrightFarms; and Skip Hullett, vice president and general counsel for NatureSweet, shared their challenges and triumphs in an industry that has suffered setbacks in recent years.
80 Acres/Infinite Acres
Hamilton, Ohio-based 80 Acres is a vertical farming company producing a range of salads, microgreens, herbs and tomatoes. In an industry where some have focused too heavily on tech in favor of farming, Livingston and her business partner, who co-founded the company in 2015, had the vision to separate the farming and tech sides of the business.
“When we started the company, we recognized that growing and being grower-centric was very important,” she said. “Building out the technology was also important, but they were very different skill sets. So, we created these two companies.”
NatureSweet
Based in San Antonio, Texas, NatureSweet, is a greenhouse tomato grower that owns over 1,500 acres of greenhouse space, has 12 production facilities in Arizona and across Mexico, and distributes its products to retailers nationwide. Best known for its Cherubs snacking tomatoes, the company also grows peppers and cucumbers.
“We’re vertically integrated, so we’re kind of unique in our industry,” said Hullett. “We call it: from seed to smile. We grow, plant, harvest and package.”
BrightFarms
BrightFarms is a controlled environment agriculture grower based in Irvington, N.Y.
“We have a network of farms that support our national customers,” said Prior. “Over the last year, we’ve built three new farms in Illinois, Texas and Georgia, which combined make the largest network of semi-closed, high-tech greenhouses for leafy greens here in the U.S.”
BrightFarms takes a regional approach to grow locally and create regional supply chains and supply hubs for salads across the country, Prior said. The company was acquired by Cox Enterprises in 2021 and is now part of the platform of Cox Farms greenhouse growers that includes Mucci Farms.
Las Vegas, NV – (March 14, 2025)— Indoor Ag-Con 2025, the premier event for the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry, concluded its 12th annual two-day conference and expo on March 11–12 at the Westgate Las Vegas. This year’s event welcomed 1,657 attendees from around the globe—including representatives from the U.S., Canada, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Tribal Nations, and more—reinforcing its status as the key meeting place for the indoor and vertical farming industry.
The 2025 edition featured the largest Indoor Ag-Con expo floor to date, with more than 300 booths showcasing cutting-edge products, technologies, and solutions designed to help grower/operators improve their businesses, increase profitability, and scale their operations effectively.
“At its core, Indoor Ag-Con is about fostering collaboration, idea-sharing, and networking—and this year’s event truly delivered,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “Bringing together C-level executives, growers, investors, tech providers, government members, academia, and key stakeholders from every facet of the CEA ecosystem, the conversations and connections made here will shape the industry’s future for years to come.”
12th Annual Edition Highlights
Growing Industry Association Events & Participation
Expanded Venue Benefits: Indoor Ag-Con’s new Westgate Las Vegas location provided increased meeting space and additional networking opportunities for industry associations.
CEA Alliance: Hosted its annual meeting in conjunction with Indoor Ag-Con.
International Sprout Growers Association (ISGA): Held its 33rd Annual Convention alongside the event.
GLASE (Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering Consortium): Returned with its Vivid Canopy Panel & Networking Event.
Women in CEA Luncheon Networking: A new initiative that fostered a collaborative environment through networking, information sharing, and resource exchange.
Aquaponics Association: Hosted an Expo Theater session with accompanying networking opportunities.
The FarmTech Society: Welcomed both current and new members to the event.
New Cultivating Excellence Awards – The CEAs Indoor Ag-Con and Inside Grower magazine launched the inaugural Cultivating Excellence Awards (CEAs) in 2025. Sponsored by bpgrower.com, the new awards recognized excellence, innovation, and leadership within the controlled environment agriculture sector. Announced at a gala awards luncheon, the winners included:
Operational Excellence: Little Leaf Farms (Devens, Massachusetts & McAdoo, Pennsylvania)
Good Stewardship: 80 Acres Farms (Hamilton, Ohio)
Product Innovation: Dramm – CE-Line
Keynote Sessions Morning Keynote – “CEA State of the Industry”:
The CEA Alliance, the membership trade association representing vertical farms and greenhouse producers, presented the opening keynote. Moderated by CEA Alliance Executive Director Tom Stenzel, the session featured industry leaders including:
Tisha Livingston, President, 80 Acres and CEO, Infinite Acres
Skip Hulett, Vice President and General Counsel, NatureSweet
Abby Prior, Chief Commercial Officer, BrightFarms
Day 2 Keynote – “Trends in Canada: Insights from Leading CEA Growers Across the Nation”:
This session featured a dynamic panel of Canadian CEA leaders who discussed the latest industry innovations, sustainability strategies, and business growth opportunities. Moderated by Trina Semenchuk, Founder of Little Greenhouse That Could, the panel included:
Bahram Rashti, CEO & Co-Founder, UP Vertical Farms
Gabriel Forero, Head Grower, Sunterra Greenhouse
Valérie Terrault, Sales & Marketing Director, Gen V
Pre-Event Workshops:
Ceres University hosted two pre-event Food Safety Workshops designed to help industry members meet GFSI scheme requirements.
Conference Sessions:
The conference featured two action-packed days of educational sessions with over 90 speakers across five tracks – Technical Grower, Trends, Planning & Operations, Cannabis and the International Sprout Growers Association 33rd Annual Convention track.
Expo Theater Sessions:
Held on the expo floor, sessions ranging from “Growing Minds: Integrating Controlled Environment Agriculture in K–12 Education for a Healthier Future” to “Not All Hope Is Lost: Vertical Farming’s Future and Lessons from the Past,” drew packed crowds.
Networking Opportunities Attendees connected with new and old friends at daily networking events, including a conference lunch on the show floor, Expo Hall Happy Hour and the new “That’s A Wrap” closing session and celebration.
Indoor Ag-Con | Philips VIP Welcome Party Back by popular demand, Philips Horticulture LED Solutions once again teamed up with Indoor Ag-Con to kick off the 2025 edition with a VIP Welcome Party on Monday evening, March 10, at Atomic Golf. Conference speakers and industry VIPs gathered for an evening of golf, networking, cocktails, food, music, and fun—courtesy of Philips LED Horticultural Lighting.
Indoor Ag-Con 2026 is scheduled for February 11–12, 2026 at the Westgate Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.indoor.ag.
About Indoor Ag-Con
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming, greenhouse, and controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and cover all sectors of the business—from produce and legal cannabis/hemp to alternate protein and non-food crops. For more details, visit www.indoor.ag.
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture, a U.S. based company that supports the growth of the vertical farming and greenhouse industry, has been awarded a Pennsylvania Agricultural Innovation Grant to advance the design of energy- efficient indoor farms. This initiative will support the development of cutting-edge strategies to reduce energy consumption while enhancing productivity in controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
The grant, provided for by Governor Shapiro’s 2024-2025 budget and administered by the PA Department of Agriculture, is part of the state’s commitment to fostering agricultural innovation and sustainability. With indoor farming on the rise, optimizing energy use is a critical step toward making these operations more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
“We are thrilled to receive one of Pennsylvania’s first Agricultural Innovation planning grants,” said Dr. Eric W. Stein, Executive Director, Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture. “This funding will enable us to develop innovative design models that help indoor farms maximize efficiency, lower costs, and reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring consistent food production year-round.”
The Center’s project will focus on integrating advanced energy-efficient production technologies, supply chain optimization, facility design, and renewable energy systems into a scalable indoor farm solution. The goal is to provide Pennsylvania farmers and agribusinesses with methods of growing indoors that are sustainable and profitable.
“Our farmers form the backbone of our economy here in Pennsylvania — they put food on our tables and in our stores and restaurants every day. If we want to compete and succeed as a Commonwealth, then we have to invest in them,” said Governor Shapiro on the Commonwealth’s web site . “We are announcing investments in game-changing projects that are fueling the future of farming in Pennsylvania — and giving farmers and ag producers the tools they need to get ahead. Thefuture of our economic success and opportunity runs through our farmlands, and we are going to continue to invest in agricultural innovation in my Administration.”
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture will collaborate with industry experts, academics, and design engineers to refine and implement best practices. The insights gained from this initiative will be shared with the broader indoor farming community through reports, presentations at industry association events, and social media.
For more information about the Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture and its ongoing initiatives, visit indoorgacenter.org.
About the Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture is dedicated to advancing sustainable, technology-appropriate solutions for indoor farming through research, education, and industry collaboration. For investors, entrepreneurs, industry partners, and community organizers, the Center helps to de-risk the process of building sustainable and profitable indoor vertical farms and greenhouses. For communities, the Center supports the growth of innovative agricultural systems that ensure food security and environmental stewardship. The Center is located in the Philadelphia metro region.
When we hear about Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) and strawberries, there is a big buzz and excitement surrounding it. This is because TCEA is a somewhat costly agri-technology, requiring significant investment and precision, and strawberries as a crop need loads of TLC. While early adopters of vertical farming/TCEA focused primarily on leafy greens and microgreens, growers seeking high-profitability crops have turned to strawberries as a promising option.
Strawberries in TCEA: An Opportunity for Year-Round Production
Strawberry consumption could be year-round, but due to climatic restrictions such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight availability, it is not always possible. TCEA solves this problem by ensuring continuous production, making fresh fruit available regardless of geographic location and season. At the same time, strawberries offer a strong diversification option for vertical farming companies looking to expand beyond greens.
Challenges and Failures in TCEA Strawberry Production
Ferme GUSH farm; Montreal based, pesticide-free TCEA strawberry farm using substrate-free cultivation method.
While the potential for strawberries in TCEA is high, there have been significant failures among new entrants. Many startups enter the industry with ambitious goals and high expectations but fail to achieve them because they neglect the advice of horticulturists, plant scientists, and experienced strawberry growers. Often, the neglected advice relates to infrastructure (growing system) and tech decision-making (HVAC, LEDs etc), but also plant-related decisions, such as what type of soilless method will be used (substrate, NFT, etc.) and what pest management plan will be followed (use of only bio-control or also conventional pesticides), among many other factors.
Strawberries may seem like an ideal candidate for vertical farming due to their plant structure, but their infrastructure requirements, environmental control needs, and necessary husbandry practices differ significantly from leafy greens and microgreens. Underestimating these differences has led to many unsuccessful ventures.
Often, new entrants into vertical farming come from engineering or financial backgrounds and assume that growing plants follows simple mathematical equations. However, biology does not work like engineering—in any biological process, 1 + 1 does not always equal 2; sometimes it equals 0.5, and other times it equals 4. Many engineers struggle to understand the deep impact environmental factors have on plant performance, and those who fail to recognise the variability of biological systems often fail in strawberry TCEA production. This reinforces the need to consider the expertise and advice of plant scientists and experienced growers.
Cultivar Selection vs. Crop Management x Environment
A common question in the industry is: “What is the best cultivar to grow in TCEA?” Many people assume that cultivar selection is the most important factor, but they forget that genetics alone do not determine success.
The management of the crop and the environmental conditions impact gene expression, yield, and fruit quality. Even if growers select a high-yielding, high-brix cultivar, it will not perform well unless environmental conditions, crop care, and husbandry practices are optimised. Strawberries, unlike leafy greens, require much more in-house experience to detect early issues before sensors pick them up.
KropAI, an India-based startup, expanding its focus beyond leafy greens and microgreens to explore strawberry cultivation.
Advice for Startups: Rather than focusing solely on cultivar selection, new entrants should work with any strawberry variety available to them at the time, consult their propagators and suppliers, and prioritise obtaining healthy, high-quality plants—even if they are not the ideal variety at first. If startups discuss their specific TCEA system with suppliers, they can receive the best possible plants based on availability. Once major management and environmental factors are finalised, then it is the right time to focus on cultivar selection.
Pollination in TCEA Strawberry Cultivation
Pollination presents a frequent challenge in TCEA strawberry farming. In polytunnels and glasshouses, growers rely on natural pollinators or commercially supplied bumblebee hives. However, in TCEA environments, where LEDs are the sole source of lighting, pollination strategies must be carefully managed.
Many growers struggle with using bumblebees in TCEA, despite the fact that the absence of UV light is not necessarily a limiting factor. However, bee well-being and factors such as dawn and dusk lighting conditions, hive placement, and transportation play a major role in pollination success.
Additionally, multi-focal artificial light sources can trigger object-avoidance behaviour in bumblebees, making them expend extra energy as they mistake static objects for moving ones. This results in energy loss and premature bee deaths.
While many growers have successfully integrated bumblebee pollination into TCEA, variability of hive “personality” (yes; they have personality) and delivery conditions remains an uncontrolled factor. Alternative pollinators, such as hoverflies, offer promising solutions but are not yet widely available commercially.
Energy Challenges in TCEA Strawberry Production
Energy costs remain one of the most significant challenges in TCEA strawberry production. Running a fully controlled environment requires high electricity consumption, particularly for LED lighting, climate control, and dehumidification systems. These energy demands make production expensive, particularly in regions with high electricity prices.
FlexFarming grow room implementing the “Farm-as-a-Battery” concept, dynamically adjusting energy consumption in response to next day’s energy prices.
To mitigate these costs, some growers are exploring alternative and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal power, to reduce reliance on grid electricity. Additionally, energy brokerage deals and dynamic pricing models—where growers adjust their energy consumption based on fluctuating electricity prices—are being tested. However, the long-term impact of adjusting energy inputs on fruit quality, yield, and consistency is still unknown. Finding the right balance between energy efficiency and crop performance remains a key research priority.
More development in energy sourcing is needed before TCEA strawberry production becomes widely profitable, apart from regions where energy prices are already low. Investments in energy-efficient technologies, such as advanced insulation, heat recovery systems, and smart climate control algorithms, will be crucial to improving the economic viability of TCEA strawberries in the future.
The Challenges of Strawberry Propagation in TCEA
Strawberries are traditionally propagated asexually through runners to maintain genetic consistency. However, this propagation process has traditionally taken place outdoors, where plants pick up pests and diseases that later enter growing systems.
For TCEA growers, maintaining a pesticide-free environment is a priority, making young plants with inherited pest and diseases a major issue. While propagators do their best to supply clean plants, the problem is systemic throughout the industry, as plants are grown outdoor in soil and sand.
To address this, the industry is exploring propagation alternatives, including:
Asexual propagation using tissue culture plants as starting material for mother plants.
Tissue cultured plants used as fruiting plants, bypassing the mother plant stage.
F1 hybrid seeds as an alternative propagation method.
Strawberry propagation in TCEA at Niab, UK; using the mother plants, harvesting daughter plants from runner and growing them in TCEA until ready for chilling. Part of a £1.8M, 3-year Innovate UK consortium project exploring the potential of TCEA for high-health plants.
While these methods hold promise, each requires specialised knowledge and infrastructure. New startups should avoid getting involved in propagation initially, as it is far more complex than fruit production and could overcomplicate operations in the early stages.
The Future of Strawberries in TCEA
Many companies are now successfully growing strawberries in TCEA, but approaches vary:
Commodity markets: Large-scale strawberry production for supermarkets, aiming to compete with glasshouse-grown strawberries.
While it is possible to grow strawberries profitably in TCEA, gaps in industry knowledge remain. Many new entrants seek specific growing parameters, such as light spectrum, intensity, and photoperiods. However, this data is scarce, as most strawberry cultivation research has been done in polytunnels and glasshouses, or not done at all, as the knowledge of the effects of light on plants was not a very useful thing to know, or they could not really do anything even if they knew more about it.
Japanese cultivars propagated and grown for fruit at Aloalto’s facilities in Barcelona, supplying high-end strawberries directly to restaurants and consumers.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Key gaps in scientific knowledge regarding strawberry cultivation include:
A deeper understanding of light requirements across different cultivars, including photoperiod, light intensity, spectrum, and how these factors change throughout developmental stages.
The precise chilling requirements for each individual cultivar.
A detailed understanding of the specific environmental conditions necessary to trigger flower initiation in different cultivars.
Since most historical research has focused on sunlight-grown strawberries, the industry must invest in new studies to gather this crucial information. However, startups are not those to have to conduct such research, as it requires rigorous experimental design, data collection, and significant resources. This is an area where larger research organisations must step in, with potentially public funding.
Final Thoughts
There is a growing movement toward TCEA strawberry production, both for fruiting and propagation stages. However, to ensure long-term success, new entrants must learn from past failures. By consulting plant scientists, embracing biological variability, and avoiding over-reliance on engineering solutions, while addressing energy challenges, the industry can make TCEA strawberries a widespread success.
If startups trust plant scientists and experienced horticulturists, rather than solely relying on financial models and engineering logic, TCEA strawberries will become far more successful than they are today.
About InnoPhyte Consulting
InnoPhyte Consulting, founded by Katia Zacharaki, is a dynamic firm dedicated to advancing AgriTech innovation, with a strong background in Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA), particularly for greens and strawberries. InnoPhyte offers a unique “Science-as-a-Service” approach, providing flexible support to companies with their research needs, data analysis, report and presentation creation, grant writing, market analysis, LCAs and project management. Specialising in assisting small and medium enterprises, InnoPhyte helps bridge the gap between scientific expertise and practical application, driving success in the AgriTech sector. Visit InnoPhyte.co.uk or email us at hello@innophyte.co.uk.
February 19, 2025 – Oberlin, OH — AdeptAg, North America’s leading horticultural solutions provider, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with FGM, a Danish innovator known for its Moving Gutter Systems (MGS). This collaboration unites two industry leaders dedicated to delivering and servicing solutions for the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) sector.
FGM’s Moving Gutter System has gained international acclaim among growers for its capacity to optimize space and enhance plant growth. Designed for crops such as lettuce, herbs, vegetables, and other leafy greens, MGS offers a revolutionary approach to improving efficiency and sustainability.
Through this partnership, AdeptAg will serve as the exclusive North American distributor for FGM’s grow systems and various FGM-manufactured horticultural equipment, enabling growers across the continent to access this cutting-edge, labor-saving technology. AdeptAg’s family of experienced companies—Agrinomix, Zwart Irrigation, and Plantech Controls—will contribute to these projects.
Industry-Leading Service and Support
David Stienes, AdeptAg’s CEO, stated: “North American leafy green, vegetable, and herb producers face the challenge of finding reliable growing systems that keep them competitive in the market for years to come. We know our partnership with FGM’s Moving Gutter Systems will enable us to provide the most comprehensive solution on the market, along with the ability to maintain and service that technology throughout its lifecycle—a service that no other provider can truly match today.
Currently, many users of moving gutter systems lack a North American team of domestic service personnel, and when issues arise, they are dependent on remote support from companies an ocean away. If a grower purchases an FGM system from AdeptAg, they can trust that we will be there on-site when service is required.”
Jeff Warschauer, FGM’s Director of Business Development and Key Account Sales, echoed this sentiment, adding: “A more formal cooperation was the logical next step after many successful years of collaboration with AdeptAg on various projects in North America. We know this partnership will provide growers with the best of both worlds—advanced technologies and exceptional North American service.”
“AdeptAg’s comprehensive offerings include irrigation systems, water treatment, seeding, propagation, transplanting, harvesting equipment, UL/CSA electrical designs and installations, as well as controls for semi- and fully automated solutions.”
“After 40 years in the greenhouse industry, I trust that AdeptAg will continue to deliver the highest level of customer service that so many North American growers have come to expect.”
Why Choose an FGM Moving Gutter System?
Maximize Growing Area and Yield
MGS allows for dynamic spacing adjustments throughout the growing cycle. By optimizing plant density, growers can maximize yield while reducing unused growing areas.
Reduce Water Risk and Waste
MGS utilizes flow-compensated systems to deliver precise amounts of fertigated water to gutters. The water is collected and treated, allowing for more effective water management with lower flow rates and volumes—using up to 90% less water than open-field crops, with no runoff into the environment.
Tailored to Your Needs
FGM’s modular designs can be customized to meet the unique demands of your crops, greenhouse layout, and production goals. Combined with AdeptAg’s comprehensive service and support, you’ll have a system designed for long-term success.
A Partnership You Can Trust
With AdeptAg’s local expertise and FGM’s MGS technology, growers gain access to an unparalleled combination of innovative systems and dedicated service. From system design and installation to ongoing maintenance and support, AdeptAg ensures that your investment delivers long-term value.
Experience the Future of Leafy Green Growing
Join the many growers who have already unlocked their greenhouse’s potential with FGM Moving Gutter Systems. Let AdeptAg help elevate your operation to the next level.
For Sales Inquiries, Please Contact:
Kevin Prol
Director of Product Management • Sales
AdeptAg Email: kprol@adeptag.com
Jeff Warschauer
Director of Business Development – Key Account Sales
FGM
Email: jeffw@fgmusa.net
Indoor Ag-Con, the premier trade show and conference for the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) , greenhouse and vertical farming industry, proudly announces the opening morning keynote address for the March 11-12, 2025 edition at the Westgate Las Vegas. Titled “CEA State of the Industry,” this moderated discussion will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 8 am. During the keynote, leaders of the CEA Alliance will share their views on the state of the industry, focusing on today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Growers will address the outlook for indoor vertical farming and high-tech greenhouse production, including production of leafy greens, tomatoes, berries and more.
Moderated by CEA Alliance Executive Director Tom Stenzel, the keynote panel includes leaders across the CEA landscape: Tisha Livingston, President, 80 Acres and CEO, Infinite Acres, Skip Hulett, Vice President and General Counsel, NatureSweet and Abby Prior, Chief Commercial Officer, BrightFarms.
“The Opening Keynote is one of the highlights of Indoor Ag-Con, and sets the stage for the 2-day conference, which is jam packed with inspiring and thought-provoking sessions,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “We are honored to have three industry leaders whose expertise will provide attendees with actionable insights and a roadmap for success in this rapidly evolving industry.”
“I’m excited to moderate the CEA State of the Industry keynote at Indoor Ag-Con as it’s not just about guiding a conversation, it’s about challenging perspectives, uncovering solutions, and pushing the boundaries of what’s next in controlled environment agriculture,” added Tom Stenzel, Executive Director, CEA Alliance. “This industry moves fast, but the real impact comes when visionaries, growers, and leaders come together to shape the future of food.”
Look for more information on the day two keynote coming soon. In addition to keynote general sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to choose from a full roster of educational programming, explore the largest expo floor in the show’s 12-year history and network at daily luncheons, breakouts, an opening day cocktail reception, and more.
For more information on the keynotes and Indoor Ag-Con visit www.indoor.ag
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The event brings together industry professionals from across the globe to explore the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in the CEA sector. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. More information, visit www.indoor.ag
ABOUT THE CEA ALLIANCE
The Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance is a membership trade association representing and serving vertical farms and greenhouse producers growing fruits and vegetables in a highly controlled indoor production environment. More information is available at www.ceaalliance.com
InnoPhyte Consulting, founded by Katia Zacharaki, is a dynamic firm dedicated to advancing AgriTech innovation, with a strong background in Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA), particularly for greens and strawberries. InnoPhyte offers a unique “Science-as-a-Service” approach, providing flexible support to companies with their research needs, data analysis, report and presentation creation, grant writing, market analysis, LCAs and project management. Specialising in assisting small and medium enterprises, InnoPhyte helps bridge the gap between scientific expertise and practical application, driving success in the AgriTech sector. Visit 
