Tag: greenhouse

Third Annual CEA Summit East Sparks Innovation and Collaboration In Virginia

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on October 4, 2024. Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

DANVILLE, VA (OCTOBER 4, 2024) — Building on the success of previous years, the third annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East returned to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, VA from October 1-2, 2024. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center—a joint project with Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, IALR and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center —the event attracted almost 250 attendees from 35 US states, Canada, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. The diverse audience of growers, educators, scientists, Extension personnel, suppliers, tech specialists, and government leaders gathered to explore the latest advancements in CEA technology and build valuable partnerships.

The two-day event featured a packed agenda of keynote presentations, panels, breakout sessions, and tours of the CEA Innovation Center facilities. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with 21 tabletop exhibits showcasing cutting-edge innovations and services shaping the future of CEA. Alongside these sessions, a range of networking opportunities fostered new connections and strengthened existing partnerships.

“We’re proud to see the CEA Summit East improve year after year,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “The diversity of expertise represented here is impressive, and it’s a testament to the collaborative nature of this growing sector. “

“It’s inspiring to see leaders across the CEA spectrum come together to exchange ideas and strategies that drive our industry forward,” adds Dr. Scott Lowman, Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center and Vice President of Applied Research at IALR. “This event underscores the importance of partnerships and shared knowledge in achieving the growth and success we envision for CEA.”

Standing-Room Only Keynote With Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Kicks Off Event

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a steadfast supporter of the indoor agriculture sector, kicked off the event with a keynote address to a standing-room only audience. His session was immediately followed by the session, “What Is CEA: It’s Mission, Definition and Purpose,” with Paul Brentlinger, CEO, CropKing, Inc; Jessica Soare, Senior Director of Marketing, BrightFarms; Mike Ross, Co-Founder & CEO, Beanstalk; and Dr. Michael Evans, Virginia Tech and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center. On the second day, the Leadership Insights Panel welcomed John McMahon, Co-Founder & COO, Better Future Farms; Molly Montgomery, Acting CEO Executive Chair, AeroFarms ; Carl Gupton, CEO, Greenswell Growers; and moderator Emily Gee, CEA Alliance Board Member and Marketing Director, AeroFarms, to the stage. In addition, the panel “Horizon Ahead” moderated by Kelli Rodda, Editorial Director, GIE Media, brought together Andrew Brooks, Business Development Manager, Priva; Cody Journell, Founder | CEO, Vegg, Inc; and Maximilian Knight, CEO, Rooted Robotics, to discuss emerging trends, technological advancements and innovations shaping CEA today.

Educational Tracks

The CEA Summit featured three educational tracks – Production, Business and Education, Workforce and Training– that brought academics, growers and business experts together covering a wide range of topics ranging from food safety, economics of CEA, crop selection and aquaponics to strategies for energy management, onboarding training programs for new employees, building international partnerships. Other panel discussions and 15-minute CEA Industry & Research Showcase sessions gave attendees the chance to hear about some of the latest research findings and other industry success stories.

Tabletop Exhibits & Networking

In addition to conference sessions, attendees had ample opportunities to visit with the Summit’s 21 tabletop exhibitors during coffee breaks, luncheon roundtables and an afternoon cocktail reception.

Graduate Student Poster Competition

This year’s summit hosted the 2^nd CEA Graduate Student Poster Competition to provide an opportunity for graduate students to share high quality CEA-related research; to expose commercial companies to qualified candidates; to foster collaboration between individuals in academia and in private industry. Eight finalists competed and Liam Reynolds, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign took first prize for his poster, “Evaluation of Radish, Broccoli, and Lettuce Microgreens Irrigated with Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Phase.”Nathaniel King-Smith, The Ohio State University, was awarded second place for his poster, “Exploring Sustainable Alternatives for Critical Materials: Hydroponic Cultivation of Rubber Dandelion ( T.kok-saghyz) for Rubber Production.”

CEA Innovation Center Tour

The event wrapped up with group tours of the CEA Innovation Center. Conference attendees took advantage of the unique opportunity to get an inside look at the CEA Innovation Center’s hydroponic systems and facilities, including the greenhouse and vertical growing racks. They also got to hear more about some of the Center’s exciting research projects.

The next edition of CEA Summit East will be held September 9-10, 2025. Look for more information coming soon to the event website – www.ceasummit.com. In addition, save the dates for the next edition of Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, 2025 at the Westgate Las Vegas.

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 Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project with Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, IALR and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center. By developing strategic partnerships with both industry and academia, the goal of the Innovation Center is to conduct research and educational programming to develop, promote and advance the CEA sector in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit https://ceaic.org/

Women in CEA

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on September 17, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Women in CEA” (WiCEA) is a women-led group, focused on uniting women across the CEA industry through online and in-person networking and educational events. With women being natural collaborators, the group is creating a space for women to innovate, connect and inspire.

Anyone can follow on LinkedIn and Instagram

GLASE Summit Grower Panel Will Explore Technology Benefits

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on September 14, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Indoor Ag-Con is pleased to share news from our Marketing Partner, GLASE, which invites you to join growers, researchers, manufacturers, educators, policymakers, and other industry leaders from across North America and beyond to explore dynamic lighting through engaging panels, presentations on cutting-edge technologies, and a keynote by Tessa Pocock, Chief Science Officer of Soli Organic.

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Register today for the 2024 GLASE Summit in Montréal on November 6 and learn from an experienced line-up of growers from the United States and Canada. Each operation, as unique as it is innovative, was selected to provide perspectives spanning geography, scale, and experience with various crops, including lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, microgreens, and other vegetables.

Bob Jones, Co-owner and CEO of The Chef’s Garden: Bob’s family has a rich agricultural heritage spanning six generations, with a focus on vegetable production for over 40 years. Today, four generations of the Jones family are actively involved in the farm. Bob leads the team in implementing cutting-edge food safety and quality programs, among other innovations.
Holly Counter Beaver, President and Managing Member of Finn & Roots: Holly, along with her sister Heather Counter, operates the Vermont-based Eco Ark greenhouse and Stone Creek Farm, which includes a small orchard and vineyard. The Eco Ark is a 6,000-square-foot decoupled aquaponic, controlled-environment greenhouse that produces lettuce, herbs, cucumbers, tomatoes, and microgreens year-round. Holly and Heather are dedicated to providing sustainable, clean, high-quality, and exclusively local food for their friends, neighbors, and surrounding communities.
Robert Thérien, CEO and agronomist at Les Serres Point du Jour: Robert brings expertise in energy efficiency and agri-food research, and his operation focuses on using technology to reduce its ecological footprint. Additionally, 2,000 square feet of their greenhouse is dedicated to researching and developing new products for the Quebec market, including grape tomatoes, red tomatoes, and red, yellow, and orange peppers.
Denis Lavoie, Co-owner and Head Grower at Serres Brillo: Denis operates a demo greenhouse fully equipped with Hoogendoorn IIVO automated irrigation and climate control, AI roof control, semi-closed ventilation, IR plant sensors, thermal cameras, CO² energy recovery, underground energy storage, electric heating, and fully automated dimming LED grow lights. Serres Brillo produces tomatoes, and their unique distribution model allows them to deliver to grocers the exact quantities they plan to sell.

Other Summit highlights include an engaging researcher panel, presentations on new technologies, a networking event, and a keynote by Tessa Pocock, Chief Science Officer of Soli Organic. The event will be held at Hotel St. Paul, and a hotel room block is available. Attendance is limited to 100 attendees, so secure your spot in Montréal today: Click to Register

GLASE Industry Advisory Board (IAB) members attend annual Summits for free and have access to members-only programming, which includes greenhouse tours and an IAB meeting. This year, IAB members will visit two greenhouses and observe dynamic lighting systems in action.

The 2024 GLASE Summit is made possible by our Anchor Partner, Sollum Technologies, a GLASE Industry Advisory Board member and leading manufacturer of dynamic LED horticultural lighting and control systems. Our networking event is sponsored by Hoogendoorn Growth Management Systems, an innovative climate control systems manufacturer advancing automation in greenhouses.

Matthew Lohr Virginia Secretary of Agriculture

Virginia’s Vision for CEA: A Conversation with Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr on Growing a Sustainable Future

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on September 14, 2024. Posted in Blog.

To set the stage for the upcoming CEA Summit East in Danville, we talked with Matthew Lohr, Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, to explore how the Commonwealth is fostering innovation and growth in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector. From innovative workforce development programs to forward-thinking policies, Secretary Lohr shares insights into the state’s strategic initiatives under Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration. With a commitment to both traditional agriculture and CEA, he discusses the synergies between these sectors and the exciting opportunities ahead for the Commonwealth’s agricultural future.

Virginia has positioned itself as a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). What key factors do you believe have contributed to this success, and how do you see the state continuing to support the growth of this industry?

Over the last decade, Virginia has been actively engaged in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), but it was our current governor Glenn Youngkin who elevated CEA as a top priority of the administration. Our mid Atlantic location is key, giving us the ability to reach two thirds of the U.S. population within a two-day drive.

As agriculture constantly evolves, the innovative technologies of CEA engage a new generation of farmers and agriculturalists. Virginia has embraced this evolution and has seen tremendous growth by capitalizing on a broad based, bipartisan support from both local and state officials. We have championed successful changes in tax policy the last two years that have attracted CEA companies. Virginia is also uniquely investing in financial incentive programs from TWO state agencies; the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). We provide top-notch industry driven research led by the CEA Innovation Center in Danville. Finally, Virginia is deeply engaged with middle school, secondary and post-secondary levels of education to develop broad based, technical curriculums focused on CEA and other agricultural technologies.

With your background in both traditional farming and CEA, how do you view the role of indoor agriculture in the broader agricultural landscape of Virginia? What synergies do you see between these two sectors?

As a 5^th generation poultry and livestock farmer, I have been very engaged in traditional agriculture my entire life. Here in Virginia, agriculture is our largest industry and represents an annual economic impact of over $82 billion. I see the CEA industry not as competing with our traditional farms but as supplementing our growth and success. The vast majority of all leafy greens and vegetables are grown on the west coast and in the deep south, not in Virginia. CEA opens the door for a whole new generation of people interested in growing food to get involved. Especially in non-traditional urban growing areas across the state.

Indoor farming relies on less land, water and growing inputs, while reducing labor and foodborne illnesses. In some instances, CEA research is actually helping outdoor farms develop crop varieties that are more productive, efficient and resistant to disease and pests.

Workforce development is crucial for the success of the CEA industry. What steps is Virginia taking to ensure a skilled and ready workforce to meet the demands of this rapidly growing sector?

Virginia has pioneered several programs that create an early interest in indoor farming and agriculture technology as early as middle school. GO TEC: The Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC™) initiative developed a unique, five-week CEA module that allows middle school students to experience a full plant growth cycle. This program introduces students to critical sectors like electrical engineering, quality control, automation, and manufacturing engineering. GO TEC has been very successful across 40 middle schools and there are plans to expand this program into high schools.

Virginia community colleges are developing courses and associate degrees based on Ag Tech. These courses allow students the flexibility to gain broad science and mechanical skill sets. Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke is working with stakeholders to create an ATE (Advanced Technological Education) program. With an emphasis on two-year colleges, the ATE program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation’s economy. Reynolds Community College also offers an associates degree in applied science in Horticulture Technology and a certificate in Sustainable Agriculture. In addition, Virginia Tech has partnered with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) to research and develop educational programming to further advance CEA operations. Sweet Briar College near Amherst is creating an integrated curriculum across several majors that allows students to get hands-on CEA experience in their on-campus greenhouse. These exciting programs are both creating an awareness of indoor farming while developing the necessary skills for success in tomorrow’s agricultural industry.

What specific initiatives or policies are currently in place, or being developed, to attract and support CEA companies in Virginia? How does the state balance fostering innovation while ensuring sustainable practices?

Over the last few years, the Youngkin administration has worked to advance several legislative policies that support the CEA industry. In 2023 a bill was passed that allows Virginia to provide a sales and use tax exemption to businesses investing in new CEA infrastructure, including greenhouses, hydroponic systems, and other growing equipment. These credits help offset the initial capital investment and encourage companies to adopt CEA technologies. Another bill that passed in 2024 classifies indoor agriculture/CEA equipment as “farm equipment,” allowing it to be exempted from personal property taxes in localities that provide such exemptions. In the 2025 legislative session, we will be exploring legislation that addresses energy usage and efficiencies within the CEA industry.

The area of research is another area that attracts CEA companies. Innovative research led by the CEA Innovation Center develops strategic partnerships with both industry and academia. The Center conducts research and develops educational programs that promote and advance the CEA sector in the U.S. and abroad. The Center also features various hydroponic and soilless systems including indoor growth rooms, greenhouses, growth chambers, and vertical growing racks. High-tech engineering fuels innovative research and demonstration crops. Robotic imaging, analytical chemistry, and biotechnology are also highlighted. In addition to research, the CEA Innovation Center’s scientists design and provide educational activities to train employees, farmers, and companies on controlled environment technologies and crop production.

Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the CEA industry in Virginia, and how is your office preparing to address or capitalize on them?

The biggest challenges I see facing CEA growth in Virginia are energy usage, site development and access to capital. There are many growing demands on our energy grid that Governor Youngkin is addressing through an “All of the Above” energy plan that focuses on reliability, innovation and environmental stewardship. Shovel ready sites for large scale projects are another top priority for the administration. We have made major investments in these sites that will be necessary for future growth. Finally access to capital is a major challenge for large scale projects. As the economy has softened and inflation has increased, access to capital has become more difficult.

Despite the challenges, there are still many exciting opportunities still ahead for Virginia CEA. We are continuing to develop the infrastructure framework that will sustain a growing industry. More investments in research and state incentives will attract even more of these indoor farms of all sizes. There are opportunities on the horizon that may include partnering indoor farms with data centers that would create amazing synergies with heat, carbon and fertilizers. There will also be even more opportunities to build on our solid educational system across multiple educational levels. It is an exciting time for CEA in Virginia, but I envision an even brighter future ahead.

CEA Industry Leaders to Outline Future Trends at CEA Summit East Keynote

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on August 19, 2024. Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

Virginia October 1-2, 2024 Edition Brings Academia and Industry Together For Collaboration, Innovation

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East is excited to announce that the keynote address, “Leadership Insights: Charting the Future Landscape of Controlled Environment Agriculture,” will take place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 9 AM at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Conference Center in Danville, Virginia.

This session is one of two featured keynote addresses joining the full conference line-up for the October 1-2, 2024 edition, providing attendees with a double dose of expert insights and forward-thinking discussions. This keynote will bring together leading executives in the CEA industry to explore predictions, strategies, and perspectives on the emerging trends that will shape the future of controlled environment agriculture.

The panel will feature Carl Gupton, CEO, Greenswell Growers; John McMahon, Co-Founder & COO, Better Future Farms; and Molly Montgomery, Acting CEO & Executive Chair, AeroFarms. The keynote will be moderated by Emily Gee, a member of the Board of Directors for the CEA Alliance and Director of Marketing, AeroFarms.

This engaging session will give attendees the chance to participate in the ongoing conversation shaping the course of sustainable and innovative food production. Whether you are a greenhouse grower, urban agriculture operator, vertical farmer, supplier in the CEA sector, this keynote promises critical takeaways that can help you navigate the evolving landscape of controlled environment agriculture. Look for more information coming soon on another keynote session.

ABOUT CEA SUMMIT EAST

Returning for its third year, the CEA Summit East will be held from October 1-2, 2024, at the IALR Conference Center in Danville, Virginia. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con, the premier trade show and conference for the vertical farming, greenhouse, and CEA sector, and the Virginia Tech (VT)- IALR CEA Innovation Center, this summit continues to be a key event for industry collaboration and innovation, featuring two days of tabletop exhibits, networking and conference programming.

Building on the success of its 2023 edition, which drew participants from 33 U.S. states, Canada, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the CEA Summit East 2024 is expected to once again unite professionals from academia, business, and technology within the CEA industry. Attendees will include greenhouse growers, urban agriculture operations, vertical farms, outdoor growers exploring hybrid opportunities, educators, scientists, extension personnel and agents, suppliers, engineers, tech specialists, architects/developers, government officials, and other industry members.

For more information on the CEA Summit East and to register for the event, please visit www.ceasummit.east.

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA TECH – IALR CEA INNOVATION CENTER

The Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project between IALR and Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center. By developing strategic partnerships with both industry and academia, the goal of the Innovation Center is to conduct research and educational programming to develop, promote and advance the CEA sector in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit www.ialr.org/cea

CEA Alliance and Indoor Ag-Con Announce 2025 Partnership

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on August 13, 2024. Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

LAS VEGAS (August 13, 2024) — The Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance (CEA Alliance) and the Indoor Ag-Con LLC management group announced today that the Alliance will hold its 2025 annual meeting in conjunction with Indoor Ag-Con and contribute to the educational program at the event in Las Vegas, March 11-12, 2025.

“Indoor Ag-Con has become one of the most important events of the year for CEA growers,” said CEA Alliance Executive Director Tom Stenzel. “We’re excited to hold our annual business meeting at the show, facilitating the participation of our member growers and their business partners in this event.”

The partnership underscores the commitment of both organizations to advancing the field of controlled environment agriculture.

“We are honored to partner with the CEA Alliance,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “The Alliance’s grower and business service members represent leading innovators and voices in the CEA industry, amplifying the value and impact of our audience. Hosting their annual meeting in conjunction with our event creates a unique opportunity for our exhibitors and attendees to engage directly with even more top-tier growers and industry leaders. The Alliance’s contributions to our educational lineup will be invaluable, bringing critical insights and expertise on the key issues and trends shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture.”

As part of the 2025 Indoor Ag-Con conference program, the CEA Alliance will present a “State of the Industry” report, outlining the growth, challenges, and opportunities for the CEA sector.

“We’re excited to bring our members’ experience and expertise to this presentation at the 2025 conference,” said Alliance Chairman Dan Malech, Senior Vice President, Strategy and General Counsel, Plenty. “Our friends at Indoor Ag-Con have created an essential educational and business destination for our members, and we look forward to continuing to build momentum for the growth of the indoor produce sector.”

Entering its 12th year, Indoor Ag-Con has consistently been a pivotal event for professionals in the CEA sector, experiencing year-on-year growth and providing a comprehensive platform for networking, business development, and education. For the March 11-12, 2025 edition, Indoor Ag-Con moves to its new venue, Westgate Las Vegas, providing space for the event’s expanding exhibit hall, educational offerings, and networking events.

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

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON
Indoor Ag-Con is the premier trade show and conference for the indoor and vertical farming industry, bringing together growers, suppliers, and industry leaders to share knowledge, network, and explore the latest innovations in controlled environment agriculture. More information is available at www.indoor.ag

CEA Alliance Executive Director Tom Stenzel

Inside the CEA Alliance: Advocating for Growth, Innovation, and Sustainability

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on August 12, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Q&A With CEA Alliance Executive Director Tom Stenzel

In this edition of Indoor Ag-Content, we caught up with Tom Stenzel, Executive Director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance (CEA Alliance), to discuss the organization’s pivotal role in shaping the future of indoor agriculture. From its early days as a food safety coalition to its expanded focus on sustainability, public policy, and industry collaboration, the CEA Alliance has become a driving force in the CEA sector. As the Alliance prepares to hold its 2025 annual meeting in conjunction with Indoor Ag-Con Las Vegas, Tom shares his insights on the challenges, opportunities, and trends that will define the future of controlled environment agriculture.

Let’s begin with an overview of the CEA Alliance. Can you describe your mission, goals and organization?

CEA Alliance Meets With the USDA — In January 2024, more than 30 members of the CEA Alliance went to Washington, D.C. to educate members of Congress and the Administration about the rapidly growing indoor farming sector of U.S. agriculture.

The 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. The Alliance was formed in 2019 as the CEA Food Safety Coalition. At that time, a group of indoor leafy greens growers came together to develop food safety best practices for indoor production. In 2022, the group expanded to include all indoor produce production, not just leafy greens, and also expanded our portfolio to all issues affecting the sector. Our membership today is pretty equally divided between growers and their supplier business partners. Alliance member growers account for the vast majority of high-tech indoor-grown produce in North America.

We’re led today by a 10-person Board of Directors, with our primary work focused in four critical issue areas for the sector. Food safety continues to be a major focus, where we continue to develop best practices, define research needs for the sector, and represent our members working with regulatory authorities at the US Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture. Other issues areas with specific working groups include public policy, sustainability, and marketing communications.

You mentioned that public policy advocacy is a critical component of your work. What are some of the most pressing legislative or regulatory challenges facing the CEA sector today, and how is the CEA Alliance addressing them?

CEA Alliance Meeting — CEA Alliance members meet with Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow.

Our Public Policy committee is our largest working group, including more than 50 members. We’re working to make sure CEA production is supported in agricultural policy through the US Farm Bill, which is now under debate in Congress. Many current farm programs were developed long before anyone thought about growing food indoors. We need to make sure that indoor growers have access to the same programs and support as outdoor growers.

A really important new initiative is the Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act, a bill we’ve been working on to create a new incentive tax credit to support capital investment in innovative agricultural technologies. Tax incentives have been used to support other sectors such as renewable energy, and can be an effective way for government to help drive private sector innovation that serves the greater good. This legislation would benefit both CEA growers and field growers investing in innovative technologies.

Can you tell us more about the recently released sustainability framework by the CEA Alliance? How do you envision this framework impacting the industry and supporting growers in their sustainability efforts?

The new Sustainability Framework for Controlled Environment Agriculture is the industry’s first sustainability framework developed by indoor growers, for indoor growers. The new framework features 60 metrics supporting 20 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across a variety of environmental and social aspects of indoor growing.

Because growers in indoor vertical farms and high-tech greenhouses have a greater ability to control their growing environment, producers are better able to measure key impact areas for sustainability, including carbon, water use, nutrient use efficiency and discharge, food loss and other attributes that are difficult to measure in field production.

We believe the framework will drive credibility, transparency and continuous improvement through standardized approaches for sustainability measurement, guiding indoor growers through both key impacts to measure and metrics for measuring them.

With the new partnership between the CEA Alliance and Indoor Ag-Con, what are your primary goals for the 2025 annual meeting and the educational program in Las Vegas?

The CEA Alliance is pleased to be holding our 2025 annual meeting in conjunction with Indoor Ag-Con. One of the core values of associations like ours is bringing together growers and their business partners, something that trade shows like Indoor Ag-Con do well. Our membership has grown over the past few years and now includes the majority of indoor produce production in North America, including leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, cukes and berries. We also are finding companies coming aboard from around the world to participate in our food safety and sustainability programs. With that base of experience, we’re pleased to present a “State of the Industry” report at the show, sharing our members’ analysis of the challenges and opportunities for indoor agriculture.

The CEA industry is continuously evolving. From your perspective, what are the most promising advancements or trends in CEA that you believe will shape the future of the sector?

I believe the industry is transforming from a “technology sector growing food” to a “food industry leveraging technology”. It sounds like a subtle difference, but we have to focus first on delivering the freshest, highest quality, most nutritious and best tasting food to consumers. There are many ways companies can use technology to achieve that goal – vertical farms with either horizontal stacks or vertical towers, high-tech greenhouses with hydroponics or soil systems, hybrid combinations of vertical, greenhouse and outdoor, etc.

The industry also now seems to have a much healthier focus on profitability. We should never have been compared to tech start-ups that could invest millions of dollars and cash out at extraordinary multiples without ever making a profit. Indoor production is a key to meeting future challenges by using less scarce resources to grow more food. I still believe growing food indoors in high-tech farms is a revolutionary step in agricultural history. But it’s not an overnight step. We’re here for the long haul.

Learn more about the CEA Alliance by visiting www.ceaalliance.com

Explore the Future of Dynamic Lighting in Greenhouses: GLASE 2024 Summit in Montréal, QC on November 6

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on August 9, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Researchers, growers, and manufacturers convene to share expertise and research under the theme of dynamic lighting

The Cornell University Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium is thrilled to announce the 2024 GLASE Summit will take place on November 6, 2024 at the Hotel St. Paul in Montréal, Quebec in Canada. The theme of the 2024 GLASE Summit is Exploring Dynamic Lighting.

Registration is limited to 100 attendees. To secure your spot in Montreal, select the Register Now button on https://glase.org/glase-summit-2024/ and choose Individual registration for $100 or bundle individual GLASE membership and 2024 GLASE Summit registration for $250.

Growers, researchers, manufacturers, educators, policy makers and other industry leaders from across North America and beyond will gather to explore dynamic lighting via thought-provoking researcher and grower panels, presentations on new technologies and an exciting keynote from Tessa Pocock, Chief Science Officer of Soli Organic about dynamic lighting in nature and the greenhouse, circadian rhythms, and sole source lighting.

In addition to learning from the roster of U.S. and Canadian speakers, GLASE Summit attendees can attend a Vivid Canopy networking event. Vivid Canopy celebrates and fosters diversity in the controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) industry.

GLASE Industry Advisory Board (IAB) members attend annual Summits for free and access members-only greenhouse tours and an IAB meeting. This year IAB members will visit tomato and strawberry greenhouses and observe dynamic lighting systems in action.

The 2024 GLASE Summit is sponsored by Sollum Technologies. “We are happy to be an anchor partner of this year’s GLASE Summit and help usher in a new era of greenhouse technologies. Our commitment to dynamic lighting promotes superior plant growth and helps the greenhouse community commit to a more sustainable future. This summit is a vital hub of ideas and innovations propelling the industry forward,” shared Jenny Zammit, VP Marketing at Sollum Technologies.

For more information:
Matthew Del Buono
mjd378@cornell.edu

About GLASE

Since 2021, the GLASE consortium has produced virtual short courses for growers, researchers, designers, engineers, and scientists. Topics previously covered include the selection, implementation, and benefits of plant lighting systems and climate control systems.

Guided by its Industry Advisory Board, GLASE and its partner academic institutions research the leading edge of LED systems engineering, plant photobiology and physiology, and greenhouse environmental controls and commercialize emerging technology to save growers money and reduce the carbon footprint of greenhouse operations.

Championing CEA and Community: A Conversation with Dr. Scott Lowman

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on July 20, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Looking ahead to the October 1-2, 2024 CEA Summit East in Virginia, we had the chance to catch-up with Dr. Scott Lowman. Many of you may know Dr. Lowman as VP of Applied Research at the IALR and Co-Director of the VT-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center, co-host of the CEA Summit East with Indoor Ag-Con. But what you might not know is that Dr. Lowman is also the co-founder of Lynchburg Grows, a seven-acre urban farm dedicated to providing access to fresh, local produce for Lynchburg residents, restaurants, and organizations, while also providing purposeful jobs for individuals with disabilities.

The site that is now Lynchburg Grows has quite a storied past. The property was originally owned by the Doyle family, who operated a nursery growing all types of flowers from 1920 until the 1950s, when they transitioned the business into an East Coast distribution network that would become Wholesale Florist. The Schenkel family purchased the property in the early 1950s to grow long-stem roses exclusively until closing in the 1990s. During this time, the farm became one of the largest rose producers in Virginia – representing 23% of the state’s flower industry and harvesting up to 10,000 long stem roses a day in 70,000 square feet of greenhouses. Roses from the Schenkel Farm crowned Kentucky Derby winners and even decorated the White House. There is an endowment at Cornell named for the Schenkel family.

Lynchburg Grows History — The Doyle family owned the property from 1920 until 1950 when they sold it to the Schenkels. Growing only long-stem roses, the Schenkel Farm would become of the largest rose producers in Virginia. Roses from the Schenkel Farm decorated the White House and crowned Kentucky Derby winners.

In 2003, a man named Paul Lam, himself disabled, witnessed the destruction of a garden he had lovingly cared for, all due to a communication error. Volunteers rallied to his aid when his story was published in the newspaper. Inspired by the experience, some of the people who helped Paul decided to form an organization to help more people with disabilities to grow food. They purchased the old Schenkel Farm, with its nine abandoned greenhouses, and begin work on what would become Lynchburg Grows.

In addition to providing meaningful employment to individuals with disabilities, key aspects of the work Lynchburg Grows does today includes operation of the Veggie Box Community Service Agriculture (CSA); the Fresh Rx Program that allows doctors to prescribe fresh produce to patients with diet-related illnesses; countless food donations; a host of educational programs and much more.

Can you share the journey that led to the founding of Lynchburg Grows and how your personal experiences influenced its mission?

Growing up with a cousin who was my age but was born with cerebral palsy, it was hard for me to understand why he couldn’t do the same things I was doing as a kid. When the opportunity arose to help create a program focused on providing people with disabilities the chance to share their talents and skills through agriculture, I jumped in with both feet.

Lynchburg Grows Founders — (L-R): Surviving roses from the original farm that were replanted in greenhouse 3; Lynchburg Grows co-founders Michael Van Ness (far left) and Scott Lowman (far right) with their first group of employees; Lynchburg Grows first planting in greenhouse 1.

What challenges did you face when transforming the old Schenkel Farm into the thriving urban farm it is today, and how did the community contribute to overcoming these challenges?

The Schenkel Greenhouse Complex had been producing long-stem roses for nearly 50 years but closed in the mid-1990s due to the collapse of the rose industry in the U.S. Our team faced a couple of major challenges.

First, when the greenhouse closed, all the roses were allowed to die in place. Starting with nearly two acres of dead rose bushes was a significant challenge. The community came to the rescue and helped clear practically all the roses with thousands of volunteer labor hours. Groups of college students came by the hundreds from Lynchburg College and Randolph-Macon College, and the roses were cleared within a month or two.

(L-R): Lynchburg College freshman who cleared the first greenhouse of dead roses in one morning; More Lynchburg College students clearing trellising and irrigation; the restored packing shed where CSAs are processed and stored. — (L-R): Lynchburg College freshman who cleared the first greenhouse of dead roses in one morning; more Lynchburg College students clearing trellising and irrigation; the restored packing shed where CSAs are processed and stored.

The second challenge was addressing the environmental impacts of a nearly 100-year-old horticultural brownfield site. The city of Lynchburg came to the rescue, and we went through the proper site assessments from regulatory agencies. The clean-up took place over time, and the project itself became a model of how brownfields could be turned into greenspaces in the state of Virginia.

To transform the property into a functioning farm, the community came together to raise funds. Combined with a USDA grant, we were able to restore much of the packing shed, which became the community center and CSA pickup spot for members

Lynchburg Grows emphasizes providing purposeful jobs for individuals with disabilities. Can you talk about some of the initiatives or programs you have in place to support this mission and any success stories that stand out?

From the beginning, we had several people with special needs involved in the transformation of the project. Practically all of them are still there 20 years later, and they provide inspiration to everyone who comes through the farm.

To date, hundreds of people with special needs have participated in our programs. Together with staff, the farm feeds nearly 300 families per week through our community supported agriculture program.

(L-R) Summer camps with local school groups; high school special needs students visiting the farm; the learning classroom in greenhouse 7

As Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center/Vice President of Applied Research at the IALR and co-founder of Lynchburg Grows, you have a unique perspective on both urban farming and advanced controlled environment agriculture. How do these experiences complement each other, and what synergies do you see between them?

What I learned quickly was that starting a non-profit urban farm is very similar to most farming operations: margins are slim, and developing a market is key to survival. We soon realized that you can only grow certain vegetables in 100-year-old greenhouses during the summer, so we turned to surrounding farmers to help fill our CSA needs. We put nearly $70,000 in farmers’ pockets in the first year.

I then learned that farmers will grow almost anything if there is a market for it. Through this, I developed an interest in food systems that I still work on today. In fact, IALR just launched a Value Chain Coordinator program to help create a market for vegetables in our region

View of 8 of the 9 greenhouses at Lynchburg Grows today. Other than the last 2 on the right, all are more than 100-year-old Cyprus wood and glass structures manufactured by Lord and Burnham of Ohio.

With the CEA Summit East approaching, what key insights or innovations are you most excited to share with attendees, especially those related to urban farming and community engagement?

During the CEA Summit, I’m looking forward to welcoming CEA members from throughout the region to join us for two days of education and networking. Working with our partners at Indoor Ag-Con, we’re featuring a versatile group of tabletop exhibitors to showcase the latest industry innovations. We’re also offering an incredible line-up of keynote sessions, panels, and research showcase sessions. This Summit does a tremendous job of bringing the CEA business and academic sectors together to explore collaborative business growth and innovation opportunities.

In addition to all the exciting research and company support happening at our CEA center, I’m super excited to share our plans for expansion aimed at facilitating the success of current and future CEA entities in Virginia. The plan includes expanded development of a workforce pipeline for CEA companies, encompassing K-12, high school, community college, and university-level students.

We will also be expanding entrepreneurship opportunities and company support through the expansion of our facilities.

Finally, I’m excited to continue working with Virginia Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr to promote Virginia as the best state in the U.S. for CEA companies to locate.

To learn more about Lynchburg Grows, visit www.lynchburggrows.org

Learn more about the upcoming CEA Summit East, including tabletop exhibitors, the full conference schedule, networking opportunities and more — www.ceasummit.com

Agriculture Moves Beyond The Earth — Georgia Trend Magazine

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on July 20, 2024. Posted in Blog.

“[CEA] is definitely an agricultural opportunity for us to continue to grow our agricultural footprint,” says Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Department of Agriculture “It is one those emerging markets folks are really looking into and could really be beneficial in getting more Georgia-grown products on the shelves.”

A feature story in the July issue of Georgia Trend puts spotlight on the controlled environment agriculture sector in the state of Georgia highlighting operations, including Local Bounti, Gotham Greens, Hardee Fresh Vertical Farms, Cox Farms | BrightFarms, and Better Fresh Farms. The story also spotlights Rhuanito Ferrarezi, associate professor of controlled environment horticulture at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and a survey of Georgia farmers he is conducting to better understand the scope of CEA in Georgia.

“The reason for me to create a survey is to really quantify how many people are out there, the size of their operations, which crops they are growing and what problems they are encountering, so we can really assist in different areas,” he says.

Read the full article from Georgia Trend here…