The control environment agriculture ( CEA ) sphere in the United States is expanding beyond leafy greens and herbs , with increasing interest group in harvest such as love apple , peppers , cucumbers , and berries – but there are challenge that involve to be addressed , says Suzanne Pruitt , issue managing director at Indoor Ag - Con . With their big upshot yet coming up on March 11th-12th in Las Vegas , she talk us through the development in the market and how Indoor Ag - Con help growers call current - day challenge .
" Consumer demand for sustainably grow , high - calibre , fresh produce year - round seems to be a key driver . At the same time , climate change and irregular atmospheric condition patterns are yield pastime in see surround solutions . We ’re also explore interest in quislingism between the CEA sector and traditional factory farm , with partnerships aimed at extending the accessibility of fresh produce twelvemonth - round , " Suzanne say . But , as we all make out , the market place is also not an soft one . " Profitability is probably the biggest challenge . vim cost , capital expenditures , and project dearth all take a toll , making it difficult to scale efficiently while keep financial stability . Additionally , staying forward of shift or – in the compositor’s case of CEA – emerging regularization — whether in food for thought safety , energy insurance , or sustainability standards — requires constant focus . The impact of Union policies , tariff , and likely new initiative like U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ’s " Make America Healthy Again " campaign could play a office in shaping the landscape painting for CEA operator . "
Suzanne Pruitt and Brian Sullivan at the 2024 event
Sustainability and resource efficiencyStaying on top of these challenges requires on-going exploitation for growers , Suzanne sees . " Sustainability and imagination efficiency remain top priorities . agriculturist are looking for ways to optimise vitality use , conserve urine , and reduce wastefulness , " Suzanne give as an exercise . " Another major nidus is automation and AI . With labor shortage continuing to be a challenge , raiser are research robotics , AI - driven craw monitoring , sensor , and other technology to meliorate efficiency and maximize productivity . forward motion in lighting , muscularity savings , climate command , and automation are also helping to make greenhouse mathematical process more cost - effective and scalable , further aim market growth . "
Vertical farming and cannabisIndoor Ag - Con grew to be one of the most important effect for the North American CEA food market and has set its agenda on help growers handle these challenge . " Our 2025 event will highlight these trends with educational offering , let in dedicated league sessions touching on strategies for high - return berry production and another spotlighting emerging crops in CEA . We ’ve also introduced a full conference track focused on cannabis , as well as expatiate our conference offerings to admit educational programs of the co - site thirty-third Annual International Sprout Growers Association Convention – reinforcing our crop - agnostic show focus , " Suzanne gives as an example . Other conference tracks include Technical Grower , Planning & Operations , and Trends , and the schedule also has a session for Vertical Farming .
" Vertical husbandry has face its share of hurdle — high energy costs , scale inefficiency , and economical challenge . However , some troupe are figuring it out and finding achiever . At Indoor Ag - Con , we ’re tackling this head teacher - on with a conference school term title " All is Not mislay : Vertical Farming ’s Future and Lessons From the Past . " This session will take an honest look at the industry ’s development and explore how lessons read from past missteps can guide future procession . "
To play up how companies are address current - day challenge – and many others – Indoor Ag - Con is launching the tame Excellence Awards ( CEAs ) at this yr ’s event . " In partnership with Inside Grower and presenting patron BPGrower.com , the awards will celebrate innovation and leading in CEA across three category : Operational Excellence , Good Stewardship , and Product Innovation . The success will be harbinger at a extra gala tiffin at Indoor Ag - Con on Tuesday , March 11 . " finalist for Operational Excellence are Little Leaf Farms , Nature Fresh Farms , and Wild About Sprouts . For Good Stewardship , finalist are 80 Acres Farms , Anu , and Fork Farms . The Product Innovation Award finalist are Dramm ( CE - Line ) , Kabba AgTech ( Silicone Substrate ) , and Rooted Robotics ( Tabletop Microgreens & Baby Greens Seeder ) .
unshakable ontogeny for Indoor Ag - Con"Since Indoor Ag - Con owners / partner Brian Sullivan , Nancy Hallberg , and Kris Seiradzki first get the effect at the goal of 2018 , we ’ve seen firm growth — both in exhibitor participation and attendee involvement . Each yr , we welcome more growers , a more divers range of exhibitors , and a large-minded mixture of industry professionals , from investor to political science officials , material estate of the realm developers , and academician , " Suzanne say .
The event is characterized by the conference sessions . This year , the Opening Keynote addresses the CEA State of the Industry . Led by the CEA Alliance , this panel will boast top executives from 80 Acres | Infinite Acres , NatureSweet , and BrightFarms , discussing industry challenges , opportunities , and the outlook for vertical land and gamey - tech greenhouse production . The Day Two Keynote is all about Trends in Canada , sport top Canadian growers from Sunterra Greenhouse , UP Vertical Farms , and Gen V , with moderation by The Little Greenhouse That Could . " This seance will explore origination in CEA across Canada , from sustainability praxis to navigating regulatory framework . " Additional education sessions run during expo time of day include topics such as the latest industry trends from the Aquaponics Association , a cryptical diva into launching a CEA business organisation , integrate CEA into K-12 instruction , unlock the power of digital Gemini in CEA , and developing high - impact CEA hubs across the U.S.
New this twelvemonth is that Indoor Ag - Con is also planning a " That ’s a Wrap " school term and ending solemnization . " We ’ll quetch things off with audience member sharing their thoughts around the event ’s key takeaways and industry insights , survey by an open Q&A session to keep the conversation flux . Then , everyone can raise a Methedrine and lionize with drinks and merry networking as we fill up out the league in style . "
Trade showThe conference is always combined with a trade show , and for 2025 , the squad is gearing up for their biggest show yet — with an expanded exhibition floor , new networking chance , and even more cut educational substance to meet cultivator ' evolving needs . " This year , we ’ll welcome 200 + exhibiting company . Our shower will showcase cutting - edge technologies — from kindling , mechanization , mood command , irrigation , produce media , nutrients , genetics , computer software , and more . Networking chance also play a Brobdingnagian role , connect growers with supplier , investors , and other key stakeholders to spark fresh business opportunity . "
Suzanne explain Indoor Ag - Con is all about giving growers practical solutions to real - world challenges . " Our conference sessions focus on everything from reduce operational price and secure funding to improving crop operation . Attendees hear instantly from successful agriculturalist and industriousness leaders sharing insights and best practices . " The system has partner with Ceres University , a provider of IACET - accredited solid food safety training and certification , to offer a cost - effective , convenient elbow room for growers to construct their careers and help accomplish GFSI scheme requirements through pre - show shop on CEA Food Safety . " We ’re also tone partnership with contribute industry organization like the CEA Alliance , Women in CEA , ISGA , GLASE , the FarmTech Society , the CEA Innovation Center , and others to expand networking and educational opportunities . "
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Indoor Ag - Con will take place March 11 - 12 , 2025 , at Westgate Las Vegas .
For more information : Indoor Ag-Conwww.indoor.ag
© FloralDaily.com/Arlette Sijmonsma
