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Tag: sustainability

Vertical Harvest Maine is Hiring!

New Indoor Farm in Westbrook Begins Inclusive Hiring Process

Greater Portland Maine Metro Area – January 30, 2025 – Vertical Harvest Farms, an indoor farming company focused on customized employment for people with disabilities, is excited to announce hiring in support of their new 51,000 square-foot hydroponic indoor farm in downtown Westbrook, Maine.

The farm is slated to begin producing 2.5 million pounds of fresh, leafy greens for New England consumers, the culinary community and local institutions later this year. And the company is especially excited to offer locally grown, nutritionally dense and radically delicious microgreens to the Maine community, believing that good can (and should) taste great.

Vertical Harvest is also unique for practicing customized employment, with a focus on fostering human potential and offering reasonable and appropriate accommodations for people with disabilities via its Grow Well employment model. Co-founder Caroline Croft Estay and team developed this one-of-a-kind program at its original farm in Jackson, Wyoming and has been evolving it since 2016. “We believe in the dignity of work, the power of community and that everyone deserves a fair shake at a meaningful career, growth and economic independence – which is not always accessible to people with disabilities.” says Croft Estay.

The company is currently fielding applications for their first round of hires – focused on farm leadership, operations, sales and marketing roles. Once the management team is in place, the second round of hiring will begin focused on filling the farm’s growing associates, packaging and fulfillment roles.

A list of open positions is currently available on its website. Interested applicants can sign up to be notified of future rounds of hiring as well as request any accommodations needed to support the application process. Of the milestone, CEO Nona Yehia says, “This moment is the culmination of years of effort and collaboration with our partners in Westbrook and the state of Maine. We aim to be a community farm that makes fresh, delicious produce radically accessible and where we’ve set a place at our table for everyone.”

About Vertical Harvest

Vertical Harvest is a hydroponic, vertical farming company dedicated to community-oriented farms, food and futures. In addition to their passion for local, healthy food grown sustainably, Vertical Harvest also operates on an inclusive, customized employment model with farms designed for accessibility and staffed via hiring practices developed to support meaningful employment for people with disabilities. For more information visit www.verticalharvestfarms.com and sign up for the newsletter or follow on socials at @verticalharvestfarms.

Harvest to Hospitality: Bridging CEA with the Service Industry

The hospitality industry is a growing sector that continues to expand, with emerging trends such as Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices, a focus on Health and Wellness, Unique Experiences and Local and Authentic Cuisine. These trends can be combined with local food production in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), which can offer educational tours, workshops, and generally more nutritious food produced locally. Also, CEA offers many advantages, such as providing fresh produce regardless of external conditions, reducing water consumption, and eliminating the use of pesticides and insecticides. 

We will discuss the topic “Harvest to Hospitality: Bridging CEA with the Service Industry” on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Indoor AgCon, at 9 AM PST. The panel will feature Marc Oosterhuis, CEO of Babylon MicroFarms; David Flynn, CEO of AmplifiedAg Inc; and Jack Murana, Program Coordinator for FoodU at Auburn University.

Image source: https://traveladdicts.net/fridheimar-tomato-restaurant-iceland/

Types of CEA Systems

CEA includes various methods of controlled food production, such as:
🌱 Greenhouses – High-tech facilities optimizing sunlight and climate control
🏢 Vertical farms – Multi-layered indoor farms using hydroponics and artificial lightning
🚛 Container farms – Self-contained units that allow food production anywhere
🛒 In-store units – Small-scale farming solutions inside supermarkets, rooms and restaurants

All of the above can also be integrated into the growing trend of Agritourism, which is gaining traction worldwide and something that Agritecture Consulting has been heavily involved in designing for projects around the globe in recent years.

What is Agritourism?

Agritourism is a tourism sector that combines agriculture with travel experiences, allowing visitors to engage directly with food production, farming activities, and rural culture. It offers unique and immersive experiences, such as farm stays, agricultural workshops, hands-on harvesting, and tasting local, farm-fresh products.

Who Is Developing the Hospitality Project?

A key consideration when integrating Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) into the hospitality industry is understanding the diverse range of stakeholders involved. These can vary widely—from small-scale farmers looking to enhance their farm-to-table offerings, to real estate developers seeking to incorporate sustainable food production into their properties, and even to some of the world’s most luxurious architects designing high-end resorts with on-site vertical farms or greenhouse dining experiences.

Farmers – Growers

Farmers and growers can successfully integrate Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with hospitality by supplying locally grown, fresh produce directly to restaurants, hotels, and other culinary businesses. Ensuring consistent quality, freshness, and aroma is crucial—an advantage that CEA can provide. By focusing on specialty crops such as edible flowers, microgreens, saffron, and mushrooms, growers can offer unique ingredients that elevate the dining experience and distinguish their produce in the hospitality market.

 

A great example is Farm One, a former Agritecture client based in Brooklyn, New York. Initially specializing in fresh specialty crops for local chefs, Farm One has since expanded its business model to include a brewery and coworking space. They also offer farm tours, creating a dynamic blend of networking, hospitality, and urban farming. This evolution demonstrates how CEA operations can successfully diversify and integrate into the broader food and hospitality ecosystem.

Image source: https://www.untappedcities.com/tour-brooklyn-hydroponic-farm-one/

 

Real Estate Developers

Real estate developers are increasingly incorporating sustainable food production into their projects, not only to enhance their environmental credentials but also to gain recognition and awards for innovative sustainable developments and smart cities. Beyond sustainability, they must consider how CEA projects engage the community and visually integrate with the overall development. A well-designed CEA space should be both functional and aesthetically appealing, seamlessly blending with the surrounding environment while serving as a focal point for sustainability initiatives.

 

The priorities for these projects extend beyond production—they must also deliver experiential and educational value. Successful integration excites visitors, offering immersive experiences that showcase the benefits of supporting local farms. Whether through interactive farm tours, on-site restaurants featuring hyper-local ingredients, or educational workshops, these elements help create a deeper connection between urban developments and sustainable agriculture.

Agritecture has assisted multiple real estate developers in integrating Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) into their projects, tailoring solutions to fit each market and concept uniquely. By understanding the specific needs of different developments, Agritecture proposes practical and scalable strategies that enhance sustainability, community engagement, and overall project value.

Image source: https://www.agritecture.com/smart-city

 

Architects

Architects specializing in hospitality design are increasingly focusing on incorporating Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) into their projects, aiming to create spaces that blend sustainability with a unique guest experience. Their vision centers around making the farming process a visual and interactive element within the space, ensuring that CEA features such as vertical farms or hydroponic systems not only contribute to sustainability but also enhance the overall aesthetic. Through these elements, architects create a holistic, immersive environment that attracts guests seeking both luxury and authenticity.

Architects have concerns regarding the integration of CEA facilities and the structural challenges, such as the weight of racking systems, and how to incorporate these systems into the layouts without compromising the overall design and functionality of the space.

Agritecture has collaborated with numerous architects, especially on high-end luxury concepts, offering everything from conceptual proposals to detailed layout designs for vertical farms inside massive developments like towering skyscrapers.

For example, one of our projects involved a luxury agri-themed hotel in the Middle East, where we proposed a variety of experiences for the guests, ranging from low-tech greenhouses to high-tech strawberry cultivation setups, a seed coffee library, and aquaponic farms. Agritecture’s expertise in both agriculture and architectural design enables us to help architects transform their visions into reality, creating exceptional, sustainable, and immersive experiences for their clients.

Key Elements of a Successful Hospitality, CEA and Agritourism Mix

At Agritecture Consulting, we have successfully implemented these strategies in past projects and can provide expert guidance on designing, developing, and optimizing agritourism ventures that seamlessly integrate Controlled Environment Agriculture into the hospitality industry. After working on compelling agritourism and hospitality projects, we have identified key factors that drive their success:

1️⃣ Local Cultivation – Make sure that the food which is produced on-site or sourced from nearby farms, reinforces authenticity and sustainability.
2️⃣ Educational Workshops & Activities – Offering sessions on sustainable farming, cooking classes, and interactive learning about Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) can bring the feeling of community and education into the project.
3️⃣ Impactful Farm Tours – Providing engaging, behind-the-scenes experiences at production sites, allowing guests to see how food is grown in innovative CEA systems.
4️⃣ Destination Design & Local Identity – Create an aesthetically appealing space that enhances the visitor experience while preserving and showcasing the local culture.
5️⃣ Sustainable Business Model – Implementing an economic framework that benefits both producers and consumers, such as Community Smart Agriculture, which fosters direct relationships between farms and customers.

Image source: https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasterfarming.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/c7/6c783f4f-cf55-5e5f-9951-8b343bc00f5b/5968cbf1b6e9e.image.jpg

See you at Indoor Ag-Con!

 

CEA offers a unique approach to local food production by enabling the cultivation of fresh, high-quality produce in urban environments, regardless of seasonal changes or geographical limitations. CEA not only promotes sustainability but also ensures a consistent supply of ingredients for the hospitality industry, enhancing the farm-to-table experience and providing chefs with direct access to locally grown, flavorful produce year-round.

 

We will be discussing these topics in our exciting panel at Indoor Ag-Con! If you’re involved in hospitality and want to learn more about how CEA can transform your projects, this panel is for you! Whether you’re a technology enthusiast or curious about the future of CEA, join us to dive deeper into innovative solutions and trends shaping the industry. Don’t miss out!

 

Indoor Ag-Con, Inside Grower Announce Finalists for Inaugural CEAs-Cultivating Excellence Awards

 

Winners To Be Announced At Gala Luncheon During Indoor Ag-Con 2025 Las Vegas

Indoor Ag-Con, Inside Grower magazine and presenting sponsor BPGrower.com are proud to announce the finalists for the inaugural CEAs — Cultivating Excellence Awards. This prestigious new awards program is designed to recognize and celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership within the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, spotlighting achievements across three categories: Operational Excellence, Good Stewardship, and Product Innovation.

Presented at a special gala luncheon on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the 12th annual edition of Indoor Ag-Con, held at the Westgate Las Vegas, The CEAs will honor trailblazing businesses and standout products that are shaping the future of CEA. Winners in three award categories will be announced at The CEAs gala luncheon:

 

FINALISTS:

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD FINALISTS
Little Leaf Farms, Devens, Massachusetts & McAdoo, Pennsylvania
Nature Fresh Farms, Leamington, Ontario, Canada
Wild About Sprouts, Sacramento, California

GOOD STEWARDSHIP AWARD FINALISTS
80 Acres Farms, Hamilton, Ohio
Anu, Evansville, Indiana
Fork Farms, Green Bay, Wisconsin

PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD FINALISTS

DRAMM – Product: CE-Line
Kappa Ag Tech – Product: Silicone Substrate
Rooted Robotics – Product: Tabletop Microgreens & Baby Greens Seeder

“The inaugural CEA Awards at Indoor Ag-Con mark a significant milestone in recognizing the innovation, dedication, and impact of controlled environment agriculture,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “We’re excited to honor the finalists and announce the winners at a special awards celebration as they are true pioneers and visionaries driving the future of sustainable food production.”

“We are excited to partner with Indoor Ag-Con to present these awards,” adds Paul Black, Publisher, Inside Grower. “By celebrating the CEA sector’s best and brightest, The CEAs help showcase the innovation and responsibility at the core of our industry. We look forward to shining a spotlight on the industry leaders and products that are making a meaningful difference.”

The CEAs Operational Excellence Award will recognize a single CEA business or one location of a multi-location business that consistently delivers quality products while distinguishing itself through innovation in production, technology, marketing, and overall strategy. Judges evaluated candidates based on their achievements in growing market share, sustaining product quality, and developing practices that set them apart in a competitive landscape.

Good stewardship is foundational in today’s CEA industry, and this award recognizes businesses that are exemplary in their commitment to environmental and community responsibility. The three finalists chosen for The CEAs Good Stewardship Award have showcased initiatives in resource conservation, recycling, and community service.

The CEAs Product Innovation Award highlights finalists from Indoor Ag-Con 2025 exhibiting company submissions representing the most innovative products that solve critical industry challenges and drive customer value.

All Indoor Ag-Con 2025 Full Access Pass Holders are invited to attend The CEAs Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from noon – 1 pm.  For more information on The CEAs 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 INSIDE GROWER

Part of the Ball Publishing family of media brands, Inside Grower magazine is a leading publication for the controlled environment agriculture industry, providing news, insights, quality crop-specific growing information and timely trend data that can help operations thrive in today’s market. More information, visit www.inside-grower.com 

 

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 INSIDE GROWER

Part of the Ball Publishing family of media brands, Inside Grower magazine is a leading publication for the controlled environment agriculture industry, providing news, insights, quality crop-specific growing information and timely trend data that can help operations thrive in today’s market. More information, visit www.insidegrower.com

Trend Report – Indoor Ag-Con 2025

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.

Indoor agriculture has reached new heights, with innovative technologies and practices, helping pave the way for a sustainable future in food production. As the world faces increasing challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and urbanization, the indoor farming sector is stepping up to provide solutions to address these global issues. 

(Photos above from L-R: Thrive Agritech, VelociGro, Inc., ZGROUP USA, Priva)

Below are some of the trends shaping the indoor agriculture industry today and a selection of highlights from Indoor Ag-Con 2025 exhibitors.

Hydroponics Innovation

Hydroponics, the soil-free cultivation of plants using nutrient-rich water, has become a standard in indoor agriculture. Recently, innovations in hydroponic systems have improved plant growth rates and reduced water consumption. 

Just Vertical (Booth 1113) crafts and distributes state-of-the-art, sustainable vertical hydroponic farming systems, revolutionizing agriculture. The innovative systems empower growers, whether small-scale or large-scale, to cultivate fresh, nutrient-rich produce in any space. At Indoor Ag-Con, check out their NEW Just Vertical Grow Racks, Free-Standing Grow Racks redefine flexibility and efficiency in indoor agriculture, setting a new standard for accessibility and innovation. Unlike traditional systems that cater exclusively to experienced growers or specific scales, Just Vertical grow racks are designed to empower anyone—from beginners to seasoned professionals—on any scale. By optimizing vertical and horizontal growing spaces, our technology ensures that every inch of your operation works harder for you.

Concert Bio (Booth 841SZ-1) optimizes greenhouse crop performance‍ via the plant microbiome. They are using cutting-edge data science to identify and provide beneficial microbes to hydroponic growers – creating the ideal microbiome for their crops to thrive. Developing the ideal microbe products to enhance greenhouse crop performance. As agriculture transitions from traditional to hydroponic methods, recreating the delicate balance of microorganisms found in soil – and which plants need to thrive – has become essential for improving crop growth, quality and resilience. Their platform, developed for hydroponic greenhouses, leverages our unrivaled microbiome database to unlock a whole new level of understanding about the hydroponic microbiome and how to improve it.

Profile’s Growing Solutions (Booth 425) division offers a comprehensive portfolio of products that improve substrates and growing / soil blending operations. These product brands include HydraFiber engineered fibers; Profile Sphagnum Peat Moss and Profile Coconut Coir; Florikan controlled-release fertilizer; and a line of Quick Plug bonded media technology for propagation and food production. They now have a line of hydroponic solutions that includes HydraFiber + Coir grow bags and HydraFiber + Coir grow blocks – combining two leading substrates into one hydroponic solutions to service the CEA market with high-performing, cost-effective growing solutions. Profile will have the new hydroponic grow bags on display at Indoor Ag-Con.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices

As consumers increasingly demand sustainable food options, indoor agriculture has responded with environmentally friendly practices. The use of renewable energy sources such as LED lighting, solar and wind power is on the rise in indoor farming operations, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, many indoor farms now implement zero-waste practices, reusing water and recycling materials used in farming operations.

Thrive Agritech (Booth 533) is a recognized leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of advanced LED lighting systems specifically for the indoor agriculture market. By focusing on advanced technologies and energy efficient solutions, Thrive Agritech enables growers to optimize plant development, productively increase yields, and reliably reduce operational and maintenance costs. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by indoor agriculture operators, Thrive Agritech delivers on both lighting and power distribution solutions focused on lowering costs of production and maximizing profitability. Thrive Agritech’s commitment to innovation, energy efficiency, and superior customer service positions their company as a trusted partner for growers looking to capture the full potential of a lighting manufacturing partner. 

VelociGro Inc (Booth 631) offers patented technology to improve the environment by replacing traditionally wasteful agricultural methods, with gel based biodegradable and compostable grow plugs and mats. They nurture growth that’s not just better for plants, but better for our planet by: Increasing crop yields by up to 40%, Reducing water usage by an average of 30%, Cutting pesticide use significantly, promoting healthier food and ecosystems and helping indoor farms to create a truly “controlled environment” by using our substrates. They are debuting the HYPERroots FT seed starter plugs, HYPERroots FT Microgreen mats, and HYPERroots Liquid at Indoor Ag-Con.

Priva (Booth 525) is a leading technology company specializing in innovative solutions for sustainable horticulture and building automation. They empower growers with advanced climate, water, and energy management systems, optimizing greenhouse operations for increased productivity and resource efficiency. Their offerings include state-of-the-art climate controllers, crop registration tools, and data-driven insights to help businesses achieve sustainability and operational excellence. With a strong commitment to innovation, Priva partners with clients to shape the future of sustainable agriculture and smart environments. Priva will showcase showcase PIM (Priva Irrigation Management), a powerful tool that helps growers optimize irrigation strategies, ensuring precise water, nutrient, and energy use, at Indoor Ag-Con.

PathoSans (Booth 629) enables customers to produce effective and sustainable cleaning and sanitizing solutions, using just salt, water, and electricity. Through on-site generation, customers can not only produce the solutions they need, when they need them, but they can eliminate the need to bring harmful chemicals into their growing environment. They help put the ‘control’ in controlled environment agriculture. At Indoor Ag-on, they will showcase the newest and smallest on-site generator, the Concentrate Compact generator. This unit is wall-mounted and by producing concentrate, it offers the most flexibility in application possibilities.

Farm-to-Table Accessibility

The growth of indoor agriculture has resulted in fresher, locally grown produce, reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. Indoor farms in urban areas are creating farm-to-table solutions that allow consumers to access fresh and nutritious food grown within their communities. This trend is further supported by advances in logistics and supply chain technologies, ensuring faster delivery and reducing food waste.

ZGROUP USA (Booth 615) specializes in innovative modular refrigeration solutions, offering cutting-edge Cold Storage, Blast Chiller, Blast Freezer and Ripening technologies. With over 20 years of experience, ZGROUP enhances food safety, reduce waste, and promote sustainability. Their blast chiller, which optimizes the freshness of products from farm to table, features innovative forced air cooling system that ensures rapid and efficient cooling, preserving the quality and flavor of the food. This solution is designed for easy integration into farms or packing facilities and is essential for maintaining an effective cold chain. 

Based in Etten-Leur the Netherlands, TAKS Handling Systems (Booth 231) develop, make and assemble innovative packing hall solutions and transport systems that are both modular and custom-built. Their systems can process produce such as vegetables and fruits fast and efficiently and will save you a significant amount of labor. When it comes to the automation of your packing hall or logistic system, TAKS Handling Systems has the perfect solution for every situation. Discover our versatile modular products and interesting custom fit solutions.

Sormac Inc (Booth 1003) offers the best post-harvest solutions for indoor growing. Sormac leads the ways in developing process solutions for CEA-grown products. Whether you grow your product in a greenhouse or in a vertical farm of if you use hydroponics, aeroponics or aquaponics. All products are grown gently. This gentle treatment needs to be continued after harvesting so products will look defined in the shops where they battle for the attention of the consumer. Sormac’s proven systems help customers to deliver the highest quality product.

Robotics and Automation

The integration of Robotics and Automation in indoor agriculture is revolutionizing the way food is grown, with precision and efficiency at its core. Advanced robotic systems are being deployed to automate tasks such as planting, watering, pruning, and harvesting, significantly reducing the reliance on manual labor. Sensors play a crucial role by continuously monitoring key environmental parameters such as light, temperature, humidity, and soil moisture, providing real-time data for optimizing crop growth. 

Located in Europe’s leading robotics hub, Odense, Denmark, 4XROBOTS (Booth 1114) has developed the world’s first 4-armed collaborative delta robot. Designed for modern production environments in the horticulture sector, their robot aims to improve productivity and operational efficiency. The 4X robot is capable of speeds up to 1,000 mm/second while maintaining collaborative features. This combination of high speed and safety makes it ideal for quality-driven Pick & Place applications. The robot’s 4-armed mechanical design significantly extends its physical reach, providing a larger workspace and greater flexibility. Additionally, it features intuitive programming for fast implementation and remote system access for enhanced uptime and reliability. These innovations collectively set new standards in efficiency, reliability, and operational ease for collaborative robots. 

Rooted Robotics (Booth 1032) creates innovative automation solutions for vertical and indoor farming, specializing in affordable, modular systems designed to empower small and medium-sized growers. Their products, including tabletop seeders, harvesters, and washers, streamline labor-intensive tasks while boosting efficiency and yield. With a focus on flexibility, their machines can be integrated into fully automated workflows using groundbreaking L.I.N.C. (Linearly Integrated Networked Conveyors) technology. See the new L.I.N.C. seeder, harvester, and tray/NFT channel washer at Indoor Ag-Con.

Growbud (Booth 431) provides truly wireless grow medium sensors for indoor agriculture. The Growbud software platform enhances plant cultivation by providing real-time environmental monitoring, advanced analytics, and seamless integration with Growbud’s suite of sensors. The insights provided by the platform allow cultivators to dial in irrigation controls to increase crop yield. At Indoor Ag-Con, Growbud will be debuting the Growbud Dro and Vero substrate sensors.

For more information on the 2025 exhibitors, visit Who’s Exhibiting 2025 – Indoor Ag-Con

ABOUT:

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. More information, visit www.indoor.ag

 

Mucci and Ecoation

Ecoation Partners with Mucci Farms to Advance Greenhouse Technology

From iGrow News: 

Ecoation and Mucci Farms have announced a strategic collaboration to integrate Ecoation’s advanced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Yield Forecasting platform across Mucci Farms’ greenhouse facilities in the U.S. and Canada. This partnership reflects Mucci Farms’ commitment to adopting cutting-edge technology to enhance crop health, productivity, and sustainability.

“For years, we’ve sought a technology partner who understands the complexities of greenhouse operations,” said Bert Mucci, CEO of Mucci Farms. “Ecoation’s platform offers the insights we need to drive innovation and sustainability.”

Key Takeaways:

  • Ecoation has formed a strategic partnership with Mucci Farms, to deploy Ecoation’s IPM and yield forecasting platform across all Mucci facilities.
  • The collaboration aims to enhance crop health monitoring, pest management, and yield prediction through advanced digital tools and machine learning.
  • Mucci Farms will leverage Ecoation’s platform to increase productivity, reduce chemical use, and further sustainable agriculture efforts.
  • This partnership builds on years of successful collaboration and technology trials between the two companies.
  • Ecoation and Mucci Farms share a commitment to sustainability, operational efficiency, and technological innovation.

Read more from iGrowNews here…..

Up Vertical Farms Canada

Scaling New Heights: UP Vertical Farms CEO on Innovation and the Future of Canadian Farming

As pioneers in Canadian vertical farming, brothers Bahram and Shahram Rashti, Co-Founders of UP Vertical Farms, are redefining how leafy greens are grown and delivered. Together they have built one of Canada’s most innovative fully-automated, high-density vertical farms that merges sustainability, technology, and profitability to tackle food security challenges head-on. In this Q&A, CEO Bahram Rashti shares insights into UP Vertical Farms’ cutting-edge touchless growing methods, their key partnerships, and their ambitious plans to scale into the U.S. market. Readers can also hear directly from Bahram during the “Trends in Canada” panel at Indoor Ag-Con 2025, where he will discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Canada’s controlled environment agriculture industry.

From Dentistry to Vertical Farming: Your career shift from dentistry to agriculture is unique, and you co-founded UP Vertical Farms with your brother, Shahram. What inspired this transition, and how has your partnership shaped the company’s vision and success?

(L-R) Shahram and Bahram Rashti, Co-Founders, UP Vertical Farms

The transition from dentistry to vertical farming was definitely not a traditional one, but it was driven by a deep desire to make a more direct impact on people’s well-being and the environment. Dentistry provided me with an understanding of health and the importance of sustainable living, but over time, I realized that agriculture, particularly food security, was a space where I could contribute on a larger scale. The idea of producing fresh, healthy food in an environmentally sustainable way really resonated with me.

My brother, Shahram, and I have always shared a vision of creating solutions that improve people’s quality of life. We believe that we’re on this planet once and we should try to help solve a problem while we can. After much research, we concluded that the time would soon approach where relying on the current food systems alone would lead to supply shortages due to the adverse effects of climate change. We realized the gap in the market will be significant and grow steadily over time leading to a massive emerging market in vertical farming. That was about 10 years ago when we decided to prepare for this shift from outdoor production to indoors, which is not just a once in a lifetime but a once in history event – producing commercial scale vegetable production without the need of the sun. Our partnership in co-founding UP Vertical Farms has been instrumental in pursuing this vision — my foundation in science and systems combined with his expertise in technology and business has allowed us to build a company focused on innovation and sustainability. Our complementary skills have enabled us to scale effectively and stay true to our core values of growing affordable produce while balancing environmental responsibility.

Innovation and Sustainability: UP Vertical Farms emphasizes innovation and sustainability. How do your touchless technology and unique growing methods address food security and market demands while ensuring profitability?

Up Vertical Farms Canada Innovation and sustainability are the cornerstones of UP Vertical Farms. We design, build, and operate our plant factories in a turnkey fashion, which enables us to customize and build exactly what is needed for a fraction of the cost. Our touchless technology in CEA is a game-changer in the farming industry — it automates key parameters for irrigation, seeding, growing, harvesting, and packaging, in turn minimizing human intervention and reducing labor costs while also maintaining hygiene. This ecosystem technology helps us optimize resource use, reduce waste, and achieve consistent, high-quality yields all year round with 99% less water, nutrient fertilizers, and land compared to traditional farming.

Up Vertical Farms This not only makes our operations more sustainable in our 12-level industrial growing racks, but also more resilient to climate change, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. As a result, it allows us to significantly contribute to food security especially since our enclosed warehouse structures are closer to the regions we want to feed. Furthermore, deploying just -in-time production across our racks allows us to provide fresh, nutritious produce with longer shelf life to the market daily while reducing waste from overproduction. Therefore, our model is not just about sustainability; it’s also designed for profitability. Focusing on high density production, and by reducing overhead costs and waste, and ensuring a constant, predictable output, we’re able to offer competitive prices to consumers, and the market can’t seem to get enough of our crunchy tasty lettuce varieties and salad kits.

Building Partnerships: Partnerships have been critical to your growth—from collaborating with Oppy in your early stages to working with retailers like Costco. How have these relationships influenced your production, distribution, and business strategy?

Partnerships have been crucial to our success, both in terms of scaling and understanding market needs. Oppy, in the early stages, provided us with invaluable insights into the retail and distribution world, helping us refine our products and processes. Their experience in logistics and relationships with retailers allowed us to hit the ground running and reach a wider audience. Oppy understood our vision and the market opportunity from the very beginning, and they have been a great partner to align with to capture the increasing indoor grown leafy greens market in North America.

Up Vertical FarmsWorking with major retailers like Costco has also been a game changer. It’s given us the ability to scale our operations and ensure that we can meet consumer demand for fresh, sustainable produce at a competitive price. These partnerships push us to continuously improve our production systems and ensure quality control at every level, from farm to store shelf. Meeting and surpassing their stringent quality and value requirements has allowed us to grow our programs and become a trusted supplier all year round – not all vertical farms can currently fulfill both.

Our business strategy has always been to build long-term relationships, not just with retailers but also with consumers, ensuring that we’re providing them with the highest quality produce while contributing to local economies. Consumers appreciate quality and value, which is evident as we steadily gain more market share. The trust we’ve built with the different retail, financial, and distribution partners has allowed us to scale efficiently while keeping our core values of innovation and sustainability intact.

Scaling Beyond Canada: Your recent expansion into Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba is a big milestone. What strategies are you using to scale operations, and how do you plan to navigate entering the U.S. market?

Expanding into provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba has been an exciting milestone. Our strategy for scaling is rooted in replicating our core operational model but adapting it to the unique needs and taste profiles of each region. Our company has recently rolled out 12 tasty salad kit offerings which pair perfectly with our crunchy baby leafy greens. Providing this many unique and market classic salad kits by a Canadian company to retail stores is another market first which we are proud of. Canadians want to eat more locally grown, fresh, long-lasting, and pesticide-free vegetables, naturally making our products highly successful and in demand. We’ve built a strong understanding of consumer preferences, which allows us to tailor our salad kit offerings to retail partners across each province.

When entering new markets, whether domestically or internationally, it’s essential to form strong partnerships with regional and national retailers and ensuring that we’re not just meeting the market’s immediate needs but also contributing to its long-term sustainability goals.

 

Up Vertical FarmsAs for entering the U.S. market, our vision and strategy is quite long term as the American consumers are also searching for the high quality and value propositions which our products offer. We also plan to leverage the scalability of our touchless technology and our proven track record in Canada to demonstrate the viability of vertical farming as a solution to food security challenges in the U.S. We are in the process of establishing strategic partnerships with American retailers with the intention to eventually have local production facilities across certain states. This expansion will in part be fueled and accelerated by the capital raise that we are currently completing.

Future of Vertical Farming in Canada: As a pioneer in Canadian vertical farming, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for the industry’s growth in the country?

The future of vertical farming in Canada is incredibly promising. We currently import most of our fruits and vegetables across Canada with lettuce having one of the highest volumes. Even though Canada has a vast landmass and freshwater source, agriculture land is limited, and harsh seasonal climates do not allow for year-round field production of many staple crops. Vertical farming however offers a sustainable way to grow food close to where it’s consumed, reducing the reliance on long-distance transportation and always making fresh produce available. The demand for locally grown, pesticide-free, and sustainable food in Canada is only increasing, which presents a tremendous opportunity for vertical farming to fill that gap and help reduce the dependence on imports.

However, there are challenges to overcome. While the long-term benefits are clear, there can be a significant barrier to entry for new players. This is where partnerships, innovation, and government support will play a key role in driving the industry forward.

One of the challenges is that there is no ecosystem blueprint for new entrants to follow, and building the know-how and expertise in vertical farming can be very challenging and costly. Consumer education is another challenge. While vertical farming is becoming more well-known, there’s still a need to educate the public about the benefits of its sustainably grown produce. We have taken major strides in that direction with both partner retailers and government agencies, but continued collaboration across the industry will be critical. Other more talked about items include energy use, capital costs, and competition from existing field and greenhouse producers, all of which we have successfully managed.

Overall, I’m optimistic about the future of vertical farming in Canada. As the industry matures, we’ll see more innovation, cost reductions, and greater adoption, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient food system.

After almost a decade of R&D and experience, our team at UP Vertical Farms has mastered how to build and operate vertical farms to provide affordable, profitable, and high-quality leafy greens. We are setting the benchmark in Canada for successful vertical farming by having low CapEx and OpEx coupled with high density production and yield. It’s the same know how and expertise that we are applying to other vegetable production as we bring them indoors and grow vertical. This is just the beginning – the sky’s the limit.

Learn more about Up Vertical Farms by visiting their website.

And join us at Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, 2025 for the panel discussion with Bahram Rashti and other leaders:

Trends In Canada: Insights From CEA Growers Across the Nation
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM

 

 

CEAs - Cultivating Excellence Awards

Indoor Ag-Con, Inside Grower Launch The CEAs — Cultivating Excellence Awards

Nominations Now Open; Winners Will Be Announced At Gala Luncheon During Indoor Ag-Con March 11-12, 2025 Edition

Indoor Ag-Con and Inside Grower magazine are proud to announce the inaugural CEAs — Cultivating Excellence Awards. This prestigious new awards program is designed to recognize and celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership within the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, spotlighting achievements across three categories: Operational Excellence, Good Stewardship, and Product Innovation.

Presented at a special gala luncheon on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the 12th annual edition of Indoor Ag-Con, held at the Westgate Las Vegas, The CEAs will honor trailblazing businesses and standout products that are shaping the future of CEA. Nomination submissions are now open, and all eligible businesses and products are encouraged to apply via www.indoor.ag/ceas-2025. Nominations are free and the deadline for submissions is December 16, 2024.

“This award program highlights the cutting-edge work our industry leaders and innovators are doing to advance controlled environment agriculture. It is a privilege to offer a platform for recognizing the incredible accomplishments of these businesses and individuals,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “With The CEAs, we aim to drive excitement, inspire further innovation, and reinforce the industry’s commitment to sustainable growth.”

“We are excited to partner with Indoor Ag-Con to present these awards,” adds Paul Black, Publisher, Inside Grower. “By celebrating the CEA sector’s best and brightest, The CEAs help showcase the innovation and responsibility at the core of our industry. We look forward to shining a spotlight on the pioneers and products that are making a meaningful difference.”

Winners in three award categories will be announced at The CEAs gala luncheon:

The CEAs Operational Excellence Award will recognize a single CEA business or one location of a multi-location business that consistently delivers quality products while distinguishing itself through innovation in production, technology, marketing, and overall strategy. Judges will evaluate candidates based on their achievements in growing market share, sustaining product quality, and developing practices that set them apart in a competitive landscape. Three finalists will receive an All-Access Pass to Indoor Ag-Con and be invited to attend the awards luncheon. The winner will be honored with a cover feature in Inside Grower magazine.

Good stewardship is foundational in today’s CEA industry, and this award recognizes businesses that are exemplary in their commitment to environmental and community responsibility. Three finalists who showcase initiatives in resource conservation, recycling, employee development, and community service will be chosen for The CEAs Good Stewardship Award.  Each will receive an All-Access Pass to Indoor Ag-Con and the gala luncheon, and the winner will be recognized in a feature story in a future issue of Inside Grower magazine.

The CEAs Product Innovation Award highlights the newest and most innovative products that solve critical industry challenges and drive customer value. Open to all 2025 Indoor Ag-Con exhibitors, this award will celebrate products that demonstrate the forward-thinking, problem-solving spirit of the CEA industry. Winning products will be highlighted through Indoor Ag-Con promotional channels, and in a special section in an upcoming issue of Inside Grower magazine.

For more information on the award categories, nomination guidelines, and to submit a free application, please visit www.indoor.ag/ceas-2025.

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 INSIDE GROWER

Part of the Ball Publishing family of media brands, Inside Grower magazine is a leading publication for the controlled environment agriculture industry, providing news, insights, quality crop-specific growing information and timely trend data that can help operations thrive in today’s market. More information, visit www.insidegrower.com

CEA Summit East Keynote 2024

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

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

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 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 Executive Director Tom Stenzel

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

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?

CEA Alliance Sustainability FrameworkThe 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?

cEA Food safety 3I 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.

CEA Alliance

 

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

Fast Company and G Star Jeans

From Fast Company: Someday Your Jeans Could Be Grown In A Greenhouse Down The Street

Fast Company recently featured an interesting story on Dutch denim label G-Star Raw and its partnership  with researchers to grow cotton for denim in a greenhouse. It might be the future of fashion.   As reported by Elizabeth Segran at Fast Company:

Over the past few years, Patagonia, Citizens of Humanity, and Christy Dawn have started sourcing cotton from farms that use regenerative agriculture methods. But soon, sustainable fashion brands might also consider cotton from another source: a greenhouse. Dutch brand G-Star Raw wants to turn this into a reality.

The brand partnered with a Dutch university on a small pilot project to grow cotton in a greenhouse, then use it to create denim. The end result was five pairs of jeans, made from end-to-end entirely in the Netherlands. Now, G-Star Raw is exploring how to scale this production so that denim brands around the world can create locally made jeans that have a far smaller environmental footprint.

THE LOCAL JEANS CHALLENGE

Cotton grows best in very hot, humid conditions, which is why most of the world’s crops are grown in China, India, Brazil, and the American South. Northern Europe? Not so much.

This presents some complications for European brands like G-Star Raw, a denim brand founded in the Netherlands in 1986. Given the current global supply chain, it must source its cotton from far away, which means shipping cotton long distances, generating extensive carbon emissions. “It also makes traceability more complicated,” says Rebecka Sancho, G-Star’s head of sustainability. “And the first step to sustainability is traceability.” She also points out that new regulations are rolling out in the European Union that demand brands track the entire supply chain of their products.

So it was intriguing to Sancho when Wageningen University, which is globally recognized for its agricultural research, reached out to the brand. Researchers were interested in collaborating on an experiment to see whether it was possible to grow cotton in the Netherlands by using a greenhouse. And they wanted to quantify the environmental footprint of this cotton, as compared to traditionally grown cotton.

Read full story at Fast Company...