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U.S. Indoor Tomato Growers Support Renegotiation of Suspension Agreement To Maintain Market Stability

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 Appoints Burk Metzger as New President

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.

 

Dr. Greenhouse On CEA’s Evolution and What Comes Next

From Hortidaily

At the recent Indoor Ag-Con in Las Vegas, where Dr. Greenhouse recorded its 100th podcast episode, Dr. Nadia Sabeh noticed an important trend among growers and technology providers.

“The big takeaways I heard again and again were that people are optimistic about the future of CEA, and they’re realizing that CEA is farming, not just tech,” she says. “We’re getting back to the basics of how to grow crops with the tools we have.”

For Dr. Sabeh, this shift is personal as well as professional. “Just three years ago, 90% of our work was focused on indoor farms. Last year, 70% of our projects were greenhouses,” she says. “I am so glad that the ‘greenhouse’ in Dr. Greenhouse is alive again!”

The earlier excitement around vertical farms was driven by very specific needs. “For cannabis, vertical made sense for security. For leafy greens, it was about maximizing control,” she explains.

“But now, we’re seeing a return to general-purpose greenhouses, which is great.”

Read the full article from Hortidaily…

Get Ready to Grow Smarter: CEA Summit East 2025 Returns to Virginia This September

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 

Glase Case Study with Wheatfield Gardens

Wheatfield Gardens Takes Advantage of the New York State Greenhouse Database and Benchmark Program

Niagara County, New York
A greenhouse owner accesses an insightful report and benchmarking tool to learn, compare, and improve their operation.

GLASE

 

Background:

The Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium, with support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and in partnership with EnSave, has shared a benchmarking tool for commercial greenhouses in New York State since 2020. The New York State Greenhouse Benchmarking initiative helps growers understand key greenhouse energy performance metrics and compares their operation’s performance to that of their peers based on meaningful metrics such as input energy required per unit of crop produced. This program uses third-party FlexTech consultants to deliver benchmarking services and reviews final reports with GLASE Principal Investigators for accuracy.

As more growers benchmark their facilities to optimize operating expenses, the program aims to share anonymized state-level performance data so growers can compare against their competition while protecting data privacy.

Benchmarking reports are great tools to give businesses insights on ways to save money. Complete reports include: a facility overview with the current baseline energy usage; detailed usage and analysis to quantify relative energy performance of each greenhouse and crop; greenhouse technology scoring and upgrade recommendations that can be used to improve energy performance; and an appendix of references and resources. The reports, generated by

FlexTech consultants and reviewed by GLASE researchers, allow growers to focus on their operations and implement recommendations with confidence.

Operations at a Glance:

Company: Wheatfield Gardens Industry: Agriculture

Location: North Tonawanda, NY

A variety of crops are grown at the 550,000 ft2 hydroponic indoor Wheatfield Gardens facility, including lettuce, culinary herbs (e.g., basil), industrial hemp, adult-use cannabis, nursery plants (bedding, landscaping, and hemp), and blackberries. The greenhouse benchmarking report covered energy use and production from October 2021 to September 2022. The analysis is based on operations and equipment data collected during a site visit conducted on September 27, 2022, along with utility bill records from the preceding twelve-month period.

Glase Case Study with Wheatfield Gardens“The granularity of the report was actually beneficial. Some people might find it too detailed, but I see it as the kind of analysis that helps improve operations and the bottom line. I’m responsible to investors, and they care about the bottom line. If we can make cuts or improvements in energy use, it helps everyone.”

Paal Elfstrum, CEO and founder of Wheatfield Gardens

Enhancing Energy Efficiency:

Greenhouse Benchmark Reports include recommended actions for growers to enhance energy efficiency and performance. The report gave Wheatfield Gardens the data it needed to implement two key upgrades: (1) installing an energy curtain for the cannabis flower canopy to retain heat at night and improve efficiency and (2) replacing outdated lighting with 2.3 µmol/W LEDs, based on the report’s confirmation of inefficiencies in the existing setup.

Installing energy curtains

Energy curtains, also known as energy screens, thermal curtains, or heat curtains, help retain heat in greenhouses during nights or cold, cloudy days, reducing heating fuel use by 30–60% compared to greenhouses without curtains. They conserve heat by creating an insulating air layer, reducing the volume of air to be heated, and reflecting radiated heat back inside. Additionally, in summer, energy curtains offer shade, which lowers the electricity costs of mechanical cooling.

Installing a higher efficacy lighting system

Horticultural lighting efficacy measures photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) output per watt, expressed as photosynthetic photon efficacy (PPE) in µmol/J. PPE ranges from 0.9 for older fluorescent and 1.7 for HID fixtures (e.g., HPS and metal halide) to 3.5 for advanced LED fixtures. LED fixtures offer benefits like dimmability and wavelength control for plant growth.

While LEDs are pricier than HID options, utility incentives can help offset upgrade costs.

What’s next for Wheatfield Gardens?

Wheatfield Gardens stands out for its innovative approach to sustainability, particularly its commitment to CO₂ capture and reuse. Unlike many cannabis operators that purchase CO₂ for crop fertilization, Wheatfield Gardens captures CO₂ from its natural gas combustion through its boiler and co-generation systems. This system reduces emissions and repurposes CO₂ as a resource for crop growth.

“We’ve never purchased CO₂,” said Elfstrum. “We capture it from our natural gas combustion to fertilize our crops. It’s a huge investment, and yet I don’t see anywhere in the climate action plan where we can get credit for this.”

This approach highlights Wheatfield Gardens’ commitment to exploring the environmental benefits of CO₂ sequestration and reuse, alongside other measures to enhance energy efficiency in their operations.

Learn how to benchmark your greenhouse and improve your operation

Indoor Ag-Con Philips LED Lighting VIP Welcome Par-Tee

Indoor Ag-Con 2025 VIPs and Speakers gathered at Las Vegas’ newest golf entertainment venue — Atomic Golf — for a great evening of connections, conversations, cocktails (and mocktails!), and all things CEA the night before the 2025 edition kicked off.   Check out video and photos from the evening.

Special thanks to VIP Party Sponsor Philips LED Lighting! 

 

Hortidaily Photo Report

HortiDaily: Photo Report Indoor Ag-Con 2025

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.

Click here to view our photo report of the event

The Packer: Indoor Ag-Con State Of The Industry Highlights Challenges and Change

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.

Read full story from The Packer

Trend Report 2 | Indoor Ag-Con 2025: Smart Greenhouses, Climate Control Matters, Sustainable Storage

Indoor Ag-Con, the largest show dedicated to indoor agriculture, is the place to find the latest trends shaping the future of farming. Come March 11-12, farmers, growers, ag tech leaders, suppliers, advocates and enthusiasts will converge at Westgate Las Vegas to experience an expanded Expo Hall with 200+ exhibiting companies offering the most cutting-edge products, services and tools on the market.

The indoor agriculture industry is undergoing rapid innovation, driven by sustainability, technological advancements, and shifting consumer demands. As food security and environmental concerns continue to shape the global agricultural landscape, industry leaders are embracing new strategies to enhance productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

Here are the top trends shaping indoor agriculture in 2025:

Smart Greenhouses Enhance Productivity

Advanced climate control technologies are making greenhouses more efficient and resilient. Innovations such as smart ventilation, automated shading, and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems help maintain ideal growing conditions year-round. By integrating real-time weather data and IoT-powered sensors, greenhouse operators can significantly reduce energy consumption while maximizing crop yields.

Rimol Greenhouse Systems (Booth 903) is a family-owned commercial greenhouse manufacturer based out of Hooksett, New Hampshire. They have been serving the industry for over 30 years with customized greenhouse kits designed for growers of all sizes, in the agricultural, horticultural, educational, cannabis and homesteading markets. They work closely with growers to design a complete greenhouse to fit their needs, including the structure, covering, heating and cooling systems, environmental controls systems and more.

Lubing Horticulture’s (Booth 225) mission is to bring effective and efficient products to greenhouses of all sizes. They offer OptiCOOL evaporative plastic cooling pads, High Pressure Fogging System, and a NEW Automatic Gutter System (AGS). At Indoor Ag-Con, they will showcase AGS made to fit small – medium sized greenhouses with one of the primary design requirements for this system is to keep both the germination and harvesting at the front of the greenhouse to increase operational efficiency for small growers.

Borlaug (Booth 634) is a horticultural service company specializing in the engineering design, service, and construction of greenhouses and indoor farms. They specialize in Crop Climate Systems, Water Systems and Facilities’ construction, installation, and commissioning.

Climate Control Yields Better Crops

Indoor agriculture is increasingly reliant on advanced climate control systems to optimize growing conditions and improve crop yields. As unpredictable weather patterns and climate change impact traditional farming, growers are turning to precision-controlled environments where temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, and lighting can be finely tuned to maximize efficiency. Technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming integrate AI-driven sensors and automated climate regulation to maintain ideal growing conditions year-round.

VT Dry & Cure Technologies (Booth 317) stands at the forefront of drying, curing, and storage, harnessing patented Vaportrol® technology to reliably and effectively dry, cure, and store agricultural products with consistent, repeatable outcomes. Their vapor pressure-based systems for drying, curing, and storage are critical in various industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, offering precise control over environmental conditions to optimize product quality and integrity. Their systems regulate the vapor pressure between the product and its surroundings, effectively managing the moisture removal rate and never over-drying, so producers can maximize product yields and profitability. This controlled environment minimizes the risk of product degradation, inhibits mold growth, ensures consistent drying and curing, and provides stable, long-term storage.

DryGair (Booth 916) develops innovative dehumidification solutions for commercial-scale horticulture, including greenhouses, indoor grow rooms, vertical farms and more.

Since 1985 Climate Control Systems Inc. (Booth 503) has provided automation to CEA growers for flowers and vegetable crops, vertical farm operations, and cannabis growers. They help growers tachieve better crop production using computer automation in their operation. These systems improve crop yields, save on energy costs, and save 30% – 40% on water and fertilizer costs. Nebula Group proudly announces the acquisition of the Delta 9 Grow Pod business from Delta 9 Biotech. This acquisition paves the way for the formation of Nebula Grow a new company with the new firm “The Horticulture Company”.At Indoor Ag-Con, they will have an actual working 20′ Nebula Grow Pod on the show floor, as well as continue to showcase the Fertigation Manager featuring PPM targeting of nutrients with live demos on the actual machine.

At Indoor Ag-Con, Hoogendoorn (Booth 803) is showcasing how IIVO’s Intelligent Algorithms are transforming greenhouse operations. These algorithms empower growers to make precise, data-driven decisions, forecasting conditions and autonomously adjusting climate settings. Additionally, they are introducing IIVO Compact+, a powerful yet accessible solution designed for smaller-scale growers who want to leverage the same advanced automation and data-driven insights as large-scale operations. With over 100 installations worldwide, IIVO and IIVO Compact are proving their ability to enhance sustainability, boost profitability, and simplify greenhouse management. Look for live demonstrations of IIVO’s capabilities, showing how its Intelligent Algorithms adapt in real-time to changing greenhouse conditions.

Bosman Van Zaal (Booth 216) is a leading specialist in horticultural technology, with more than 100 years of experience and currently 300 employees worldwide. Whether it’s cultivation systems, climate control, lighting, irrigation, construction, vertical farms or software: Bosman Van Zaal is the one-stop-shop partner for Turnkey projects, all in the field of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Introducing Polariks – your gateway to the future of data-driven excellence. Discover the power of this cutting-edge data platform, designed to seamlessly integrate sensors, machines, and systems at Indoor Ag-Con

Sustainable Storage and Containment Solutions

Storage and containment in indoor agriculture are critical for maintaining efficiency, sustainability, and food safety. Proper containment systems help regulate nutrient solutions, water, and growing media, ensuring crops receive consistent and optimal conditions. Advanced storage solutions, such as modular vertical racks, temperature-controlled seed banks, and airtight nutrient reservoirs, prevent contamination and improve resource management. In hydroponic and aeroponic setups, specialized tanks store nutrient-rich water, while automated distribution systems deliver precise amounts to plants, minimizing waste.

Da Ros (Booth 1034) offers a complete package of solutions for indoor farms: produce harvesting, tray washing, automatic tray warehouse, tray filling-seeding transplanting. At Indoor Ag-Con, Da Ros will showcase its new tray for baby leaf production.

MFG Tray (Booth 1116) has more than 60 years of experience in designing and molding an extensive line of trays, flats, and containers. The company is continually developing new products to meet specific growing, storing, and processing requirements. Success in vertical farming and insect rearing results from a carefully balanced mix of pH, nutrients, light, temperature, and humidity. MFG Tray Farming products provide solutions and consistent benefits regardless of harsh environmental conditions.

Anu (Booth 1111) specializes in advanced hydroponic farming solutions, providing modular, aeroponic container farms that enable sustainable, high-yield food production in any environment. Our USDA-NIFA SBIR-funded Pure Produce Container is a fully self-contained, rapidly deployable system designed for urban agriculture, educational institutions, food security initiatives, and commercial growers. By leveraging Rotary Aeroponic® technology and Self-Nurturing Seed Pods, their systems maximize efficiency, reduce labor costs, and create climate-resilient farming opportunities. We also offer customizable solutions for schools, businesses, and community organizations, integrating technology, automation, and sustainability to revolutionize local food production.

Hydrofarm|Innovative Growers Equipment (Booth 1008) is the Growtainers® manufacturing and marketing partner. IGE manufactures racking, lighting, greenhouse benches and other horticulture/hydroponic supplies. Hydrofarm markets and distributes those products plus soils, fertilizers, etc. Growtainers® are custom made Container Farms available worldwide. At Indoor Ag-Con experience the , the Growtainers® Tissue Culture Labs, a cutting-edge tissue culture shipping container, These state-of-the-art laboratories, nestled within 40’ or 53’ insulated tissue culture shipping containers, are at the forefront of tissue culture innovation.

As these trends continue to evolve, the indoor agriculture industry is poised for significant growth and innovation, reshaping how food is produced and distributed globally. With technological advancements and sustainability at its core, the future of indoor farming is brighter than ever.

For more information on the 2025 exhibitors and Trend Report 1, please visit https://indoor.ag/trend-report-2025/

 

Will 2025 Be Déjà Vu All Over Again for the Indoor Farming Sector

Growing food outdoors shows no sign of getting easier, given the volatility of the weather, and the situation is predicted only to get worse due to the impact of climate change. One would expect the indoor farming sector would be poised to benefit, as its advantages would seem to be obvious. However, although the indoor farming sector made progress with increasing production, expanding into new retailers, and growing market share with consumers, 2024 will go down as potentially the worst year for indoor farming companies, particularly vertical farms, as most struggled to achieve profitability at the product, farm and/or corporate level. After having raised almost $8 billion globally between 2018 – 2022, indoor farming companies have failed to raise even $1 billion since 2022, and the financing environment for 2025 doesn’t look much better.

Difficult Times for Vertical Farming Companies

Emblematic of the challenges in 2024 were the bankruptcy of vertical farming companies Bowery Farming and Smallhold, as well as Plenty’s decision to close its Compton, CA farm, which produced leafy greens. The growing number of bankruptcies and companies shuttering farms and total operations is leading many people to ask whether the vertical farming sector is viable. Although this is a fair question, since no vertical farming companies have achieved sustained profitability yet and many have struggled even to achieve positive unit economics, I argue it is too early to give up on this sector. Vertical farming companies did have some wins in 2024: 80 Acres announced $140 million worth of public bonds from Boone County, KY, to expand its facility near Florence, KY; Oishii announced a $150 million Series B financing to build a new strawberry farm; and Plenty opened its Richmond, VA strawberry facility, which will be the largest vertical farm producer of strawberries globally.

Greenhouse Companies Showing Mixed Results

2024 was a better year for the U.S. greenhouse industry: BrightFarms opened 3 new large farms in the U.S. and its parent company, Cox Farms became the largest U.S. greenhouse operator, as it surpassed over 700 acres; Gotham Greens’ annual production capacity reached ~100 million heads of lettuce per year and its products are available at retail locations across all 50 states; and having completed an expansion to its McAdoo, PA facility, Little Leaf Farms claims to be the largest indoor producer of lettuce in the U.S. However, it was not all positive, as Revol Greens reduced or closed facilities due to a more competitive economic environment, and it is not long since the 2023 bankruptcy of AppHarvest.

Furthermore, the greenhouse industry struggles with many of the same challenges faced by vertical farms, as few companies are profitable, and increased production is already leading to a price war in some regions that will make it even more difficult for companies to achieve profitability. Also, greenhouse providers have started closing older farms that were proving uneconomical.

Outdoor Farming Challenges Create Opportunities

There are many reasons for concern about the viability of indoor farming, but I remain optimistic that in the mid- to long-term, the positive factors outweigh the negative. The indoor farming sector is at a major disadvantage compared to the outdoor growers, due to its small scale and higher-cost capital expenditure on buildings and HVAC systems, as well as needing more electricity for heating and cooling. However, the traditional produce sector also is facing major headwinds.

Every year concerns increase about growing outdoors, including: destructive weather events, water availability, increasing resistance of pests and weeds to traditional crop chemicals, and soil degradation, as well as labor availability, costs, and turnover, which all put surety of supply at risk, and could spell catastrophe.  Shifting consumer preferences to organic and more sustainably grown produce is a trend that seems to be gaining momentum, as more consumers learn about all the crop chemicals (fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides) applied to crops grown outdoors, and the impact on their health.

Additionally, there is now the real risk that the U.S. could enter a long and protracted trade war with Canada, Mexico and other major suppliers of produce to the U.S., as a result of tariffs implemented on goods being imported into the U.S. It is not out of the realm of possibilities that even if the U.S. and Mexico don’t enter a trade war, the Trump administration could look to decrease the amount of produce imported into the U.S., under its America First policies. As it is unlikely that U.S. outdoor produce growers could make up for lost imported products, seeing there has be a growing trend of offshoring, particularly for produce that California is known for, it would create an opportunity for the indoor farming sector.

Security of Supply

Consequently, surety of supply is becoming a focus for retailers and a topic that continues to offer one of the biggest hopes for the indoor farming sector. Although today there is not a significant issue with U.S. produce availability, we have witnessed produce supply challenges in other countries, including the U.K., where some grocery retailers rationed how much produce consumers could buy. The U.S. is not immune from food rationing and product scarcity, as we currently are seeing this situation play out with eggs and a couple of years ago there were similar issues with baby formula. It doesn’t take many disruptions in the supply chain to impact food security, especially when a growing percentage of the products need to be imported.

Whereas surety of supply is still a longer-term concern for U.S. retailers, it is already an issue for Canada, which imports over 90% of its leafy greens from the U.S., most traveling thousands of miles from California and Arizona. Canada is taking a more aggressive posture toward food security, especially with a looming trade war with the U.S., where grocery retailers are in active discussion with indoor farming companies, and local and federal governments are providing economic support for the indoor farming sector, evident by Farm Credit Canada’s recent investment in GoodLeaf Farms. In fact, government support, whether coming from the federal, state/provincial, or local level, is increasing, as indoor farming is seen as a means of job creation in local communities, as well as hedge against food insecurity.

Make America Healthy Again

The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, expected in the near future, could provide the indoor farming sector with a boost. Average life expectancy in the U.S. has plateaued and U.S. healthcare spending reached over $3 trillion in 2023, underlying the urgency to focus on the types and quality of food we consume. Today, there is a health crisis in the U.S. due to obesity, which needs to be addressed. 40% of all adult Americans are obese (30-40 BMI), and 9% are severely obese (40+ BMI), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which equates to almost 125 million Americans. Consequently, it will be interesting to see what policies are implemented by RFK, Jr., who has strongly advocated for his idea to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) by reducing processed foods and eliminating added fats, starches, and sugars, as well as food dyes and additives banned in other countries, and pushing for increased consumption of healthier, more nutrient dense foods.

Furthermore, RFK, Jr. has also called for the reduction or elimination of crops chemicals used to grow agricultural products, especially specialty produce, which is typically eaten raw, rather than being processed. There is a growing movement among U.S. states, including California, Maryland, Oregon and Washington, to pass legislation banning the use of certain crop chemicals. It is likely that these and other states will continue pushing forward with banning more crop chemicals this year. As the biologicals already on the market, the current replacement for crop chemicals, are less effective, there likely will be a yield reduction necessitating the need for additional production locations to meet consumer demand.

New Product Offerings

Although indoor farming companies initially focused production on cannabis, cucumbers, leafy greens, and tomatoes, now, thanks to technology innovation in automation & robotics, HVAC systems, LEDs, and seed genetics, the sector is beginning to expand into a broader product portfolio of higher-margin crops, including berries, coffee, microgreens, forestry products, specialty ingredients and pharmaceuticals. Product diversification, especially for vertical farms, is key, as this ability to fully control the climate provides a huge advantage in a world where weather volatility significantly hampers outdoor growers.

Despite my optimism for the future of this sector, I expect 2025 to bring further bankruptcies and farm closures, especially for companies unable to achieve positive cash flow and profitability that are running out of funding, since the equity capital markets are likely to be closed for unprofitable companies. The year ahead brings tremendous uncertainty for the indoor farming sector, as there are a variety of external factors that could either increase demand or create further problems. Those indoor farming companies that do survive in the short term will find themselves well positioned to benefit from the challenges facing outdoor produce growers, both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the sector should benefit from the three mega-trends of food security, sustainability, and health & nutrition, as well as demands from consumers looking for fresher, healthier, more nutritious foods, which is a hallmark of the indoor farming sector.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adam Bergman is a Managing Director at EcoTech Capital where he works at the intersection of technology innovation and climate change. Adam is a sustainability executive leader with over 25 years’ investment banking experience raising capital and executing M&A transactions. He also provides strategic advice and financial guidance to senior executives and boards on partnerships and growth strategies. As one of the first investment bankers to focus exclusively on the CleanTech sector, starting in 2005, Adam is recognized as a leading subject matter expert and is a frequent speaker at industry events and publisher of articles on sustainability.

Adam has built industry leading AgTech investment banking practices at Citi and Wells Fargo by creating a broad ecosystem to help drive adoption of technology and innovation throughout the food & ag value chain. Adam established the AgTech cohort for Wells Fargo’s innovation incubator (IN2), which was launched at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2018. He is a technology advisor to Western Growers Association, which represents local and regional family farmers who grow over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. Adam also is a technology advisor for farmer-owned Landus Cooperative, headquartered in Ames, Iowa and SeaAhead, a bluetech startup platform in Boston, Massachusetts, whose mission is to support new, innovative ventures, with a focus on sustainability and the oceans.