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Center To Announce First Winners of Its “Best In Class” Awards
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture, a U.S. based company that supports the growth and development of the vertical and indoor farming industry, will announce the first winners of its Center of Excellence “Best in Class”TM Awards for indoor farm manufacturers at a virtual event scheduled for August 4th with Indoor Ag-Con.
By July 23, 2021
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture, a U.S. based company that supports the growth and development of the vertical and indoor farming industry, will announce the first winners of its Center of Excellence “Best in Class” TM Awards for indoor farm manufacturers at a virtual event scheduled for August 4th with Indoor Ag-Con. The goal of the “Best in Class” Awards is to recognize operational excellence in the indoor agriculture industry through an analysis of KPI’s on indoor farm operations and the supporting equipment.
The announcement will take place in the context of a virtual panel discussion on the importance of metrics to indoor farm sustainability and future investment in indoor agriculture. Finalists and industry thought leaders will sit on the panel. Those interested may register for the event at: indoor.ag/webinar.
The winners will be announced virtually in two categories: commercial indoor production systems and indoor farm lighting fixtures. Indoor production systems are turnkey systems that are optimized for the production of leafy greens and other vegetables in indoor vertical farm facilities. The top systems use the least amounts of water, energy, labor, and other resources to produce the greatest yield. The top lighting fixtures are energy-efficient, affordable, and yield-optimizing.
“We are really excited to recognize excellence among the Agtech manufacturers supporting the indoor and vertical farming industry. Our finalists offer solutions that help indoor farms achieve operational efficiency and sustainability. We believe the awards can help spur innovation in this space,” stated Eric W. Stein, Ph.D., founder and Executive Director of the Center of Excellence.
The winning products were selected through a process that includes being nominated and then evaluated according to technical and operational merits in several categories. The Center performs a quality check on the data before being input into a proprietary weighted multi-criteria model. Products are also evaluated based on interviews and an analysis of online data.
More Info: More detailed information on the Center’s awards can be found at https://indooragcenter.org/awards. Growers and manufacturers are invited to become nominated and begin the application process. Winners receive several benefits including industry recognition, social media exposure as well as participation in future panel discussions and conferences.
About the Center
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture provides insights about the economics of indoor farming based on a careful analysis of industry data and from thought leaders in industry and academia. As the first U.S.-based Center of Excellence dedicated to indoor farming, it promotes best practices, benchmarking, networking, knowledge development, and research. Its annual Best in Class Indoor Farming Awards (TM) recognizes top indoor growers and manufacturers. The Center is located in the Philadelphia metro region.
About Indoor Ag-Con
Indoor Ag-Con is an organization that hosts premier events centered around building the indoor agriculture community. They unite growers and engineers alike to create a prime networking opportunity through discussions, workshops, and exhibits enhancing the participants’ knowledge of growing crops in indoor systems.
Media Contact Information
Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture
indooragcenter.org
team@indooragcenter.org
Sensei Ag CEO Sonia Lo Joins Indoor Ag-Con October '21 Keynote Line-Up
Themed “Growing Your Business,” Indoor Ag-Con will give attendees the opportunity to explore new resources on the expo floor and hear from Lo, other CEOs, thought leaders and industry experts from today’s cutting-edge farms and innovative companies
‘IMPROVING HUMAN WELLNESS ONE FARM AT A TIME’
SENSEI AG CEO SONIA LO TO LEAD KEYNOTE PRESENTATION AT
IN-PERSON OCTOBER 2021 INDOOR AG-CON
Lo To Discuss Sensei Ag’s Form Factor Agnostic & Scalable Approach to Indoor Agriculture on Monday, October 4, 2021
JUNE 3, 2021 – Sensei Ag CEO Sonia Lo will lead the Indoor Ag-Con keynote presentation, “Improving Human Wellness One Farm At A Time,” on Monday, October 4, 2021 from 11:30 am – 12:20 pm. A headliner event at the October 4-5, 2021 edition of the premier trade show and conference for the indoor | vertical farming industry at the Hilton Orlando, Lo’s discussion will focus on Sensei Ag’s form factor agnostic approach to building and expanding indoor farms.
Themed “Growing Your Business,” Indoor Ag-Con will give attendees the opportunity to explore new resources on the expo floor and hear from Lo, other CEOs, thought leaders and industry experts from today’s cutting-edge farms and innovative companies.
During her presentation, Lo will share more about Sensei Ag’s mission to improve human health and wellness by transforming indoor agriculture. The company’s uniquely vertically integrated value chain -- from seed conception to store shelves -- allows it to consistently deliver nutritious produce to consumers and actionable data to farmers. She will discuss the current challenges facing the indoor farming industry and how being a form factor agnostic company is a novel and necessary approach to overcoming such obstacles.
Tapped to head Sensei Ag in 2020, Sonia brings more than 32 years of combined agriculture, technology, and business experience to her leadership role. Lo began her career in technology, building her first tech venture as CEO of eZokaGroup, a UK-based internet startup that she sold in 2002. Following eZoka, Lo founded and served as Managing Director of Chalsys LLP, an advisory and direct investment firm which has invested over $120 million in 15 global growth-stage companies. From Chalsys, Lo became the Director of Localization and Global Content for Google, Inc.
Most recently, Ms. Lo was CEO of Crop One Holdings, Inc., a vertical farming company that owns a vertical farm in Massachusetts. Crop One is also part of a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering in Dubai which is building one of the world’s largest vertical farms.
You can learn more about Sonia Lo and her Indoor Ag-Con keynote session here.
“We are very excited to have Sonia Lo join our keynote line-up. Her incredible background and proven leadership experience, coupled with the indoor farming innovations she and her Sensei Ag team are working on, promise to inspire our attendees, “ says Brian Sullivan, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con LLC along with other event industry veterans Nancy Hallberg and Kris Sieradzki.
ROBUST 2021 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE NOW IN DEVELOPMENT
In addition to Sonia Lo’s keynote, look for additional announcements coming soon on other CEO keynote presentations planned for the October event. The 2021 conference will also include a full roster of panel discussions, fireside chats and presentations offering a deep dive into three core tracks – Business & Marketing, Science & Technology and Alternative Crops.
The extensive educational conference will be joined by other new initiatives and show highlights, including:
NEW LOCATION: HILTON ORLANDO – DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES, TOO
Indoor Ag-Con’s Hilton Orlando venue makes it the perfect opportunity for a business vacation. Centrally located to all major theme parks and attractions, it is just minutes from the eclectic dining scene and entertainment of International Drive. What’s more, the Hilton Orlando resort sits on more than 26 acres of lush landscaping and tropical inspirations making it a true destination of its own. Indoor Ag-Con has arranged for discounted hotel rates for attendees and exhibitors starting as low as $129/night. Complete details are available on the show website.
NEW ASSOCIATION ALLIANCES
Indoor Ag-Con is also forging new alliances with other events, industry associations/groups that will play an integral role in its marketing outreach and conference programming. Look for partnership announcements coming soon.
EXPANDED EXHIBIT FLOOR & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
The Indoor Ag-Con team is working to bring even more resources for farmers/growers to explore across all sectors – everything from IT, energy, AI, and lighting solutions to substrates, vertical farming solutions, business services, and much more. Attendees and exhibitors alike will also have even more networking opportunities with daily luncheon sessions and receptions on the show floor.
QUICK FACTS:
WHEN: Monday, October 4 – Tuesday, October 5 , 2021
WHERE: Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819
INFO: For information on exhibiting or attending visit www.indoor.ag or email hello@indoor.ag
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON LLC
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the premier trade event for vertical farming | indoor agriculture, the practice of growing crops in indoor systems, using hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic techniques. The next edition is slated for October 4-5, 2021 at the Hilton Orlando. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis |hemp, alternate protein, and non-food crops. In December 2018, three event industry professionals – Nancy Hallberg, Kris Sieradzki, and Brian Sullivan – acquired Indoor Ag-Con LLC, setting the stage for further expansion of the events globally. www. indoor.ag
ABOUT SENSEI AG
Sensei Ag is a market-changing AgTech company on a mission to solve global gaps and inconsistencies in nutrition, food safety, and food security through the transformative power of data. Guided by the incomparable capabilities and insights of our founders, technology entrepreneur and Oracle Co-Founder Larry Ellison and esteemed physician and scientist Dr. David Agus, we design, develop and deploy cutting-edge agricultural technologies to build a better, more stable food supply that is capable of feeding our entire world nutritionally-relevant, delicious, affordable meals. We are the present and the future of farming, fostering agricultural innovations that will improve and support human health and wellness for decades to come. Sensei Ag: driven by data; grounded in science; focused on wellbeing. Learn more about our innovations in agriculture by visiting our website at sensei.ag and connecting with us on LinkedIn.
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Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200,
Suwanee, GA 30024, United States
AeroFarms CEO Rosenberg Kicks Off Indoor Ag-Con 2021 Keynote Address
“We are thrilled to have an industry leader like David Rosenberg join us as we kick off our return to the live event format,” says Brian Sullivan, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con LLC
Rosenberg Headlines Full Roster of Keynotes, Panels, Networking & Expo Floor Innovations For In-Person October 4-5, 2021 Edition In Orlando
MAY 6, 2021 -- AeroFarms CEO David Rosenberg will lead the opening morning keynote address for the 8th annual edition of Indoor Ag-Con, scheduled for October 4-5, 2021 at the Hilton Orlando, Florida.
Themed “Growing Your Business,” the premier trade show and conference for the indoor |vertical farming industry will give attendees the opportunity to explore new resources on the expo floor and hear from Rosenberg, other CEOs, thought leaders and industry experts from today’s cutting-edge farms and other innovative companies.
“We are thrilled to have an industry leader like David Rosenberg join us as we kick off our return to the live event format,” says Brian Sullivan, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con LLC along with other event industry veterans Nancy Hallberg and Kris Sieradzki. “We look forward to gathering with our industry colleagues again and are working hard to bring the best possible combination of networking, education and exhibition opportunities together in Orlando.”
Scheduled for opening morning, October 4, Rosenberg’s address will be held from 8:30 am – 9:20 am. Rosenberg co-founded and leads AeroFarms. AeroFarms has been leading the way for indoor vertical farming and championing transformational innovation for agriculture overall. On a mission to grow the best plants possible for the betterment of humanity, AeroFarms is a Certified B Corp Company with global headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company three years in a row and one of TIME's Best Inventions, AeroFarms patented, award-winning indoor vertical farming technology provides the perfect conditions for healthy plants to thrive, taking agriculture to a new level of precision, food safety, and productivity while using up to 95% less water and no pesticides vs. traditional field farming. Grown for flavor first, AeroFarms enables local production to safely grow flavorful baby greens and microgreens all year round.
ROBUST 2021 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE NOW IN DEVELOPMENT
In addition to Rosenberg’s keynote, look for additional announcements coming soon on other CEO keynote presentations planned for the October event. The 2021 conference will also include a full roster of panel discussions, fireside chats and presentations offering a deep dive into three core tracks – Business & Marketing, Science & Technology and Alternative Crops.
In addition to the extensive educational component, attendees will find more new initiatives and show highlights to explore, including:
NEW LOCATION: HILTON ORLANDO – DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES, TOO
Indoor Ag-Con’s Hilton Orlando venue makes it the perfect opportunity for a business vacation. Centrally located to all major theme parks and attractions, it is just minutes from the eclectic dining scene and entertainment of International Drive. What’s more, the Hilton Orlando resort sits on more than 26 acres of lush landscaping and tropical inspirations making it a true destination of its own. Indoor Ag-Con has arranged for discounted hotel rates for attendees and exhibitors starting as low as $129/night. Complete details are available on the show website.
NEW ASSOCIATION ALLIANCES
Indoor Ag-Con is also forging new alliances with other events, industry associations/groups that will play an integral role in its marketing outreach and conference programming. Look for partnership announcements coming soon.
EXPANDED EXHIBIT FLOOR & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
The Indoor Ag-Con team is working to bring even more resources for farmers/growers to explore across all sectors – everything from IT, energy, AI and lighting solutions to substrates, vertical farming solutions, business services and much more. Attendees and exhibitors alike will also have even more networking opportunities with daily luncheon sessions and receptions on the show floor.
QUICK FACTS:
WHEN: Monday, October 4 – Tuesday, October 5
WHERE: Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819
INFO: For information on exhibiting or attending visit www.indoor.ag
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON LLC
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the premier trade event for vertical farming | indoor agriculture, the practice of growing crops in indoor systems, using hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic techniques. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis |hemp, alternate protein, and non-food crops. In December 2018, three event industry professionals – Nancy Hallberg, Kris Sieradzki, and Brian Sullivan – acquired Indoor Ag-Con LLC, setting the stage for further expansion of the events globally. More information: https://indoor.ag
VIDEO: Indoor Ag Sci Cafe Discusses Indoor Farming In Mexico With Karla Garcia, Hort Americas
“Indoor Farming in Mexico: Current Status and Opportunities”
With Karla Garcia
Microgreens FLN & Hort Americas
This presentation ‘Indoor Farming in Mexico: Current Status and Opportunities’ was given by Karla Garcia (Microgreens FLN & HortAmericas) during our 27th cafe forum on February 23rd, 2021. Indoor Ag Science Cafe is organized by the OptimIA project team funded by USDA SCRI grant program.
The Café presentations are available from YouTube channel.
Upcoming Cafes:
March 30, 11am EST – ‘USDA SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Grants Program Overview’ by Dr. Steven Thomson & Melinda Coffman (USDA NIFA)
Interested in giving a talk to share your thoughts and experiences? Contact them
Indoor Ag-Con To Change Dates, Location For 2021
The Indoor Ag-Con team is currently gathering feedback from its board and monitoring leading sources of health information to secure a fall date pattern and convenient venue that ensures a safe, cost-effective show
Co-Location With The NGA Show Shifts To 2022 Edition
Press Release — With safety in mind, the Indoor Ag-Con management team has made the decision to push the dates for its previously announced May 16-18, 2021 agriculture trade show and conference for the indoor and vertical farming industry to the third quarter of 2021. The decision is in keeping with The NGA Show | National Grocers Association decision to shift its show — which was previously scheduled to run concurrently at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas — to the third quarter as well. While venue and space limitations in the Las Vegas marketplace prevent co-location for this later time frame in 2021, the two events will come together in 2022.
The Indoor Ag-Con team is currently gathering feedback from its board and monitoring leading sources of health information to secure a fall date pattern and convenient venue that ensures a safe, cost-effective show. The new 2021 dates and location will be announced shortly.
“The safety of the indoor ag community is our top priority,” explains Brian Sullivan, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con. “By moving our event to a Fall 2021 pattern, we’ll be better aligned with the expanding Covid-19 vaccine rollout and growing confidence levels in travel and attendance at live events. And, looking ahead to 2022, we’re excited to renew our plans to co-locate with The NGA Show and give our audience the incredible opportunity to connect with supermarket and food retail industry professionals.”
“We were very much looking forward to co-locating The NGA Show with Indoor Ag-Con this year and celebrating the synergy between the two events,” said Courtney Muller, chief corporate development and strategy officer with Clarion Events North America. “Delivering a cross-over resource to help retailers partner with growers in a new way to address supply chain challenges, transparency in food sourcing, and meeting consumer demand will only grow in value until we are able to co-locate the two events in 2022.”
For 2022, Indoor Ag-Con and The NGA Show will co-locate at Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas , February 27 – March 1, 2022. The NGA Show 2021 edition will be held September 19-21 at Paris Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
Indoor Ag-Con, launched in 2013, provides exhibitors and attendees with the latest technology and business strategies for growing crops in indoor systems, using hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic techniques, bringing together growers, investors, chefs, produce buyers, academics, policymakers, industry suppliers and advocates. The 2021 edition will feature an expanded exhibit floor, new networking opportunities, and some of the industry’s top innovators and business leaders presenting keynote addresses and participating in a range of panel discussions.
About Indoor Ag-Con
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the premier trade event for vertical farming | indoor agriculture, the practice of growing crops in indoor systems, using hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic techniques. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis |hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. In December 2018, three event industry professionals – Nancy Hallberg, Kris Sieradzki and Brian Sullivan – acquired Indoor Ag-Con LLC, setting the stage for further expansion of the events globally. More information is at https://indoor.ag.
About The National Grocers Association
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers’ associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.
About Clarion Events
Clarion Events (www.US.ClarionEvents.com) produces 37 events across 13 sectors of both trade and consumer events. Clarion Events, which is the U.S. division of Clarion Events UK and backed by The Blackstone Group, has become one of the fastest-growing event companies in the U.S. with aggressive growth through both acquisition and launch. Clarion acquired PennWell in early 2018, bringing four Tradeshow 200 events into the U.S. portfolio and supercharging the already rapid growth. Clarion Events has offices in Trumbull, Conn.; Kennesaw, Ga.; Boca Raton, Fla.; Tacoma, Wash., and Fairlawn, N.J. www.US.ClarionEvents.com
October 7th Webinar - Harnessing The Growing Synergy Between Space Farming and Indoor Agriculture
Over the decades there has been the evolution & transformation of biologically-based life support innovations that have now been adopted in today's global vertical farming industry
OCTOBER WEBINAR SCHEDULE
Harnessing The Growing Synergy Between Space Farming & Terrestrial Indoor Agriculture
OCTOBER 7, 2020 | 2-3 PM EDT
What Do Space Farming, Greenhouse Equipment
& Triple Bottom Line Farms Have In Common?
Moderator:
Dr. Joel Cuello, Professor of Biosystems Engineering at The University of Arizona and Vice Chair of the Association for Vertical Farming
Panelists:
Dr. David Bubenheim, Senior Research Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
Ralph Fritsche , NASA Space Crop Production Project Manager.
Dr. Gary Stutte, President, SyNRGE
Over the decades there has been the evolution & transformation of biologically-based life support innovations that have now been adopted in today's global vertical farming industry. And, the emergence of Industry 4.0 innovations -- from data analytics to automation to AI -- is certainly helping launch vertical farms into their exponential advancements.
All these set the stage for synergistic public-private partnerships for successful implementation of biologically-based life support systems for long-duration manned missions on the Moon and on Mars -- and all their powerful innovation multiplier effects extended further for application in the terrestrial vertical farming industry. Hosted by the Association For Vertical Farming, our panel will be delving into the various aspects of such brave and exciting scenarios, both present and future.
SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT
OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 2-3 PM EDT
Why Does Greenhouse Equipment Need To Be Simple?
What is the number one thing to look for in commercial horticulture and agriculture equipment? Simplicity. The best-selling & most successfully used products are easy to learn, easy to use and easy to fix. This is not to say that they are actually simple. But, they are engineered with simplicity in mind.
Why is that so important in commercial horticulture? Our panel will explore why its so important for key equipment components to be simple and discuss what characteristics to look for in lighting, irrigation, sensors & more.
MODERATOR
Chris Higgins, President & General Manager, Hort Americas LLC & Owner, UrbanAgNews
PANELISTS
Paul Brentlinger, President, Crop King Inc.
Dr. Nadia Sabeh, President & Founder, Dr. Greenhouse
Isaac Van Geest, Sales, Zwart Systems
SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT!
OCTOBER 29, 2020 | 2-3 PM EDT
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE FARMS
During this insightful and inspiring session our moderator and panelists will discuss:
The concept of the Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet and Profits
The B-Certification process and reporting
The contributions indoor farms can make according to the Triple Bottom Line
Lessons learned from sustainable indoor farms that apply to all forms of indoor farming & more.
Moderator
Eric W. Stein, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture and Associate Professor of Business at Penn State
Panelists:
Dave Nichols, Director of Strategy, AppHarvest
Alexander Rudnicki, Senior Project Manager/ Plant Manager, Aerofarms
This session is hosted by Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture, whose mission is to accelerate the global transition to indoor farming production methods that are safe and sustainable and to empower indoor and vertical farmers with the knowledge, tools, and resources to build profitable businesses.
SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT!
Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States
Farm Tech Society, Indoor Ag-Con Partner to Present "Future of Farming | Educating The Next Generation to Make CEA Scalable" | August 19, 2020 - 2 PM EST
New Session Joins Indoor Ag-Conversations Webinar Series, August 19, 2020, From 2:00-3:00 pm EST
New Session Joins Indoor Ag-Conversations Webinar Series,
August 19, 2020, From 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST
(AUGUST 10, 2020) -- As the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry grows, companies are facing greater shortages in qualified talent. How can innovation in training and education accelerate the industry to the benefit of all? Hosted by the Farm Tech Society and Indoor Ag-Con, LLC, "The Future of Farming: Educating the Next Generation To Make CEA Scalable," will bring together a panel of top educators to explore viable answers to this pressing challenge.
The latest topic to join the Indoor Ag-Conversations free webinar series, the program will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST.
Moderated by Farm Tech Society Chairman Ian Kanski, Director, Center for Advanced Agriculture & Sustainability, Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, the panel will include Dr. Laura Vickers, Senior Lecturer in Plant Biology, Harpers Adams University; Sonny Ramaswamy, president, Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities; and Dr. Marito Garcia, Fellow, Darden School of Business, Center for Global Initiatives (DCGI), University of Virginia.
"We're excited to partner with the Farm Tech Society to foster discussion around this vitally important topic," says Brian Sullivan, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con, LLC. "The COVID crisis has certainly brought attention and increased awareness to the myriad benefits CEA can offer -- from local food/supply chain solutions to year-round production. Attracting and educating a younger generation are critical to helping CEA reach its full potential."
"Strengthening and securing the future of the CEA industry are key to the Farm Tech Society mission. The new Indoor Ag-Conversations webinar series offers a wonderful platform to exchange ideas and spark new ones. We're looking forward to a great discussion," adds Farm Tech Society Board Chairman and program moderator Ian Kanski. "
During the 60-minute program, the panel will discuss a range of topics, including:
Upskilling and retraining from challenged industry sectors
Skills gaps, labor challenges, and automation
Micro-credentialing and industry certifications
Portability of skills learned in CEA operations
Public-private partnerships for training and education
The program is free and attendees can register at www.indoor.ag/webinar
The Indoor Ag-Conversations panelists will bring a wealth of educational industry experiences and insights to the discussion.
Ian Kanski is a social entrepreneur with a career dedicated to human development and sustainable technology. He is the Director of the Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Board Chair for FarmTech Society in Brussels, Belgium and co-founder of INTAG. Ian is also Co-Founder of the STEM Education consultancy B Theory Inc and is the former Chief Product Officer of Zoetic Global.
Dr. Laura Vickers gained her Ph.D. in 2012 from the University of Birmingham before working as a postdoc at Harper Adams University (HAU). She took up her role as Lecturer at HAU in 2014 and was also awarded a NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellowship in Horticulture, where she worked with the Horticulture Innovation Partnership in producing an R&D strategy for the Ornamental industry. She is now a Senior Lecturer at HAU and a leading member of the Urban Farming Group.
Sonny Ramaswamy assumed the presidency of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in 2018 after six years of service as President Obama's appointee as the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in Washington, DC. Prior to this position in the federal government, he worked for 30 years at several Land-Grant Universities, rising through the ranks from assistant professor to dean.
Dr. Marito Garcia is a Fellow at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. He is a Board Director at Learning Equality, a non-profit education technology company based in San Diego, CA. He is co-founder of Italpinas Development Corporation, a green-building development company in Asia, based in Manila, Philippines; and Orenko Ltd (Cambridge, UK), an energy development company. He also served as senior staff at the World Bank, Washington, DC in various capacities.
Indoor Ag-Con LLC created the new Indoor Ag-Conversations series to share content originally planned for its May 2020 in-person annual conference that was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To learn more about this session, as well as other upcoming programs on the schedule, visit www.indoor.ag/webinar
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON LLC
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con, LLC produces the premier event for the indoor | vertical farming industry touching all sectors of the business — produce, legal cannabis, hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. In December 2018, three event industry professionals – Nancy Hallberg, Kris Sieradzki and Brian Sullivan – purchased Indoor Ag-Con LLC, setting the stage for further expansion of the events globally. For more information, visit: https://indoor.ag
ABOUT FARM TECH SOCIETY
The Farm Tech Society (FTS) is an international non-profit industry association that unites and supports the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry, seeking to strengthen the sector through the development and implementation of resilient and future proof methods and technologies for indoor growing For more information, visit https://www.farmtechsociety.org
Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States
Hydroponic Seedling Propagation Session Joins Indoor Ag-Conversations Series - August 12, 2020 @ 2pm EST
Indoor Ag-Con, LLC will bring together a panel of industry experts to discuss best practices, technology developments and more during the Free Webinar, "Hydroponic Seedling Propagation," on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, from 2-3 pm EST
'HYDROPONIC SEEDLING PROPAGATION' SESSION JOINS
INDOOR AG-CONVERSATIONS WEBINAR SERIES | AUGUST 12, 2020 @ 2 PM
LAS VEGAS (AUGUST 3, 2020) -- Indoor Ag-Con, LLC will bring together a panel of industry experts to discuss best practices, technology developments and more during the free webinar, "Hydroponic Seedling Propagation," on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, from 2-3 pm EST. The latest addition to the Indoor Ag-Conversations webinar series, the panel will be moderated by Joe Swartz, Vice President, AmHydro; and feature John Jackson, CEO, Sustainable Indoor Growing Systems, Inc (SIGS); Dr. Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D, Corporate Research Manager, Smithers-Oasis and Nick Greens, Founder | Agriculture Specialist, Nick Greens Grow Team.
"The only way to achieve high quality, uniform crops is to start with high quality, uniform seedlings," explains moderator Joe Swartz, AmHydro. During the session, Swartz and the Indoor Ag-Conversations panel will take a deep dive into hydroponic seedling propagation, covering areas including “best in class” techniques & methodologies netting outstanding yield results; technology advances from LEDs and NFTs; environmental controls and more.
The Indoor Ag-Conversation webinar is free and attendees can register at www.indoor.ag/webinar Panelists include
Joe Swartz, Vice President, AmHydro, is a master hydroponic farmer. He has more than 55,000 hours of hands-on greenhouse production time. He is a year-round grower for 35 years and a consultant to the hydroponics industry for more than 20 years. His specialties include professional grower training, system design, and crop production methods. Other specialties include biological pest control, greenhouse business management, specialty produce marketing, and food safety protocols. He has consulted for companies, growers, and investors across the globe. He also has successful growing operations in 66 countries around the world.
Dr. Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., Corporate Research Manager, Smithers-Oasis, is responsible for new product development and technical support. He also leads the efforts to provide technical support to other Oasis Grower Solution units located globally. Bringing 12 years of industry experience to his position, Rapaka plans to continue Oasis Grower Solutions’ growth by developing innovative products and helping the customers to be more successful. Rapaka also is working to expand the Oasis Grower Solutions’ footprint into new markets and countries. Rapaka is an accomplished researcher who is regularly published in scientific journals and industry trade publications
John Jackson, CEO, SIGS, is an award-winning entrepreneur and University of Arizona alum with an MBA from the Eller College of Management and McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship where he serves as an adjunct lecturer. John has successfully launched investor and grant-funded businesses and operated tech-based companies to early stage revenue. Born in Compton, California, John continues his grandfather’s legacy as a sharecropper of tomatoes in rural Oklahoma and looks to empower all growers to be more sustainable, environmentally responsible, and efficient in their operations by providing the best young plant inputs possible. SIGS aims for growers to “Grow Plants not Seeds," ensuring an optimal head start to their production cycle.
Nick Greens, Founder |Agriculture Specialist, Nick Greens Grow Team started his growing career in 2002 as an apprentice grower for a hydroponics shop in San Diego, California. In 2010, Nick moved to his native Chicago to start growing for Blue Star Produce. During his time there, he perfected his compost tea recipes and became a pioneer in organic microgreens and leafy greens production. He worked for and advised many Chicago indoor farms, including Garfield Produce, Bright Farms, Windy City Greens, Plant Chicago, and Closed Loop Farms. Nick also created the microgreens program at FarmedHere in 2014. He built its first NFT systems, creating crop and lighting recipes, and helped improve monthly sales by nearly 20% by 2016.
Indoor Ag-Con LLC, producers of the premier event for the indoor|vertical farming industry, created the new Indoor Ag-Conversations series to share content originally planned for its May 2020 in-person annual conference that has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
To learn more about this session, as well as other upcoming programs
on the schedule, visit www.indoor.ag/webinar
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON LLC
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con, LLC produces the premier event for the indoor | vertical farming industry touching all sectors of the business — produce, legal cannabis, hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. In December 2018, three event industry professionals – Nancy Hallberg, Kris Sieradzki and Brian Sullivan – purchased Indoor Ag-Con LLC, setting the stage for further expansion of the events globally. For more information, visit: https://indoor.ag
Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States
Hydroponic Propagation: A Webinar Event You Don’t Want to Miss
On August 12, 2020, we will be a part of a free, informative event to cover hydroponic propagation for seedlings
On August 12, 2020, we will be a part of a free, informative event to cover hydroponic propagation for seedlings.
This free webinar will cover the best in class techniques and methodologies to use to yield results, technology advances, how to create and deliver environmental recipes, and more! We’ll be partnering with other experts who will talk about all there is to know with hydroponic seedling propagation. Still, want to know more about hydroponic propagation? We’ll help you understand more in this article.
The 3 Life Stages for Seedlings
Before we can describe hydroponic seedling propagation, you’ll need to know about the plant’s life stages first. Since hydroponic plants don't require soil, seeds have to get their nutrients through other methods. When it comes to seeds, there are 3 life stages that you’ll need to pay attention to in order to have successful yields. The three stages are:
Germination: This occurs when a seedling goes from a dormant state to an active one. The radicle breaks out from the outer shell and becomes a root. However, this usually happens during warm and moist conditions, which is why it’s essential to take note of the temperature when growing seedlings. Once you can see the plant expelling from the seed, it’s time to move them to the propagation system.
Propagation: This stage is when the seedlings start to grow roots and true leaves. The propagation stage ends when the roots have nearly fully developed. Once you notice this, you can begin the transplant process.
Transplant: During this stage, you will move the young seedlings into your growing system to watch them reach their full growth.
The Importance of Temperature
One of the main driving forces to your plant’s growth success can boil down to temperature. Depending on the plant you’re growing, you’ll need to ensure that the correct environmental conditions are met per crop type. This boils down to if you’re planting warm or cool weather plants.
Warm Weather Plants: Basil, oregano, thyme. Typical herbs and fruiting crops such as tomatoes, and peppers.
Cool Weather Plants: Lettuce, Kale, Swiss Chard, Spinach, tomatoes, and other greens.
Tips for Hydroponic Propagation Success
In this section, we’re going to discuss a few tips you can use to ensure propagation success.
Do not overexpose your plants to heat. This is because seedlings are especially vulnerable and sensitive to heat. It’s best to keep in mind that seedlings shouldn’t be overexposed to anything from nutrients to pesticides to fertilizers.
Don’t keep your media too wet. This can lead to damping off which can invite various molds and fungi to form, leading to a loss in stem structure.
Give your plants nutrients after you notice the first set of true leaves. Around this stage, the plant will need more external nutrients from things like soil or synthetic fertilizers. It’s best to use the same nutrient mix you’d use during your grow out, just make sure to dilute way more.
Hydroponic seedling propagation is an easy task once you learn the in’s and out’s of your plants. We at the Nick Greens Grow Team strive to educate everyone on the benefits of growing microgreens and plants right from your house. Sign up for the Indoor Ag Conversation free webinar to learn more about hydroponic propagation success. We look forward to seeing you there!
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![[WEBINAR] Hydroponic Seedling Propagation Headlines August Indoor Ag-Conversations Schedule](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57c8695d5016e11e71be1d83/1596141943877-ETC5TNW6EC11UVR2JG33/unnamed+%281%29.png)
[WEBINAR] Hydroponic Seedling Propagation Headlines August Indoor Ag-Conversations Schedule
Learn more about these sessions, and be on the lookout for details on other upcoming Indoor Ag-Conversations with industry leaders like the CEA Food Safety Coalition, Greenhouse Grower magazine, Aquaponics Association, American Seed Trade Association, Association For Vertical Farming and more. Join us to see what everyone's talking about!
HYDROPONICS HEADLINES AUGUST CONVERSATIONS
SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT!
From “best in class” techniques to current technology advances join this expert panel as they take a deep dive into hydroponic seedling propagation
REGISTER
Learn more about these sessions, and be on the lookout for details on other upcoming Indoor Ag-Conversations with industry leaders like the CEA Food Safety Coalition, Greenhouse Grower magazine, Aquaponics Association, American Seed Trade Association, Association For Vertical Farming and more. Join us to see what everyone's talking about!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR INDOOR AG-CON 2020
EXHIBITORS, SPONSORS, MEDIA ALLIES &
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
WEBINAR: Agritecture And Indoor Ag-Conversations To Present "Megatrends In Indoor Farming" - June 24 @ 2 PM EST
Indoor Ag-Con, LLC is pleased to announce “MegaTrends In Indoor Farming,” the latest topic to join its new Indoor Ag-Conversations monthly free webinar series
“MEGATRENDS IN INDOOR FARMING’ WEBINAR “
ON JUNE 24, 2020 @ 2 PM EST
LAS VEGAS (June 9, 2020) – Indoor Ag-Con, LLC is pleased to announce “MegaTrends In Indoor Farming,” the latest topic to join its new Indoor Ag-Conversations monthly free webinar series. Hosted by Agritecture Consulting, this panel discussion will cover megatrends in food, agtech, and vertical farming. Scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 at 2 pm EST, the program will be moderated by Agritecture Founder & CEO, Henry Gordon-Smith, and include panelist Menachem Katz, former head of WeWork Food Labs. Additional panelists to be announced soon.
“From Covid-19 to climate change to food security concerns, there are a number of factors accelerating megatrends shaping the indoor agriculture marketplace,” said Nancy Hallberg, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con. “We’re excited to have Henry Gordon-Smith and his expert panel share their insights into these key trends and the opportunities they can offer for our growers, suppliers, and other industry members.”
Indoor Ag-Con LLC, producers of the premier event for the indoor vertical farming industry, created the new Indoor Ag-Conversations series to share content originally planned for its May 2020 in-person annual conference that was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the 60-minute webinar, Gordon-Smith and his panelists will take a deep dive into some of the megatrends impacting indoor vertical farming, including plant-based proteins and other consumer-driven food demands, automation/artificial intelligence, urban farming/local food, food security and more. Indoor Ag-Conversation webinars are free to industry members. To register for the upcoming June 24, 2020 session, visit www.indoor.ag/webinar. Indoor Ag-Conversations presenters include:
Moderator Henry Gordon-Smith is a sustainability strategist focused on urban agriculture, water issues, and emerging technologies. His firm, Agritecture Consulting, primarily helps entrepreneurs with vertical farming feasibility studies, recruiting, and systems design. He serves on the advisory board of numerous AgTech startups, including Smallhold and Foodshed.io.; serves on the board of directors for the not-for-profit food access organization Teens for Food Justice in NYC; has spoken on the topic of urban agriculture in 4 continents; and has been interviewed about urban and vertical farming for the WSJ, Futurism, Men’s Health, Bloomberg, The Atlantic, Arabian Business, CNBC, and many more media outlets.
Panelist Menachem Katz has 20 years of food industry experience in roles ranging from operations to technology and logistics to culinary. He started his career as an Executive Chef, first at Artichoke Restaurant in Tel Aviv, and then at 1868, a restaurant chain in Jerusalem that he co-founded. From there he served as Executive Chef for multiple companies; co-founded and led Culinary & Operations at Goodmeal, a delivery startup; led operations and expansion at Kettlebell Kitchen; and most recently, served as Head of WeWork Food Labs.
More details on the upcoming Megatrends session, as well as access to the recording of the June 3 series launch session - "United Fresh Presents Produce Trends & New Business Opportunities For Indoor Growers Emerging From The Covid-19 Pandemic," and other programs joining the new Indoor Ag-Conversations series, can all be found at www.indoor.ag/webinar.
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON LLC
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con touches all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis, hemp, alternate protein, and non-food crops. In December 2018, three event industry professionals – Nancy Hallberg, Kris Sieradzki, and Brian Sullivan – purchased Indoor Ag-Con LLC, setting the stage for further expansion of the events globally. For more information, visit: www.indoor.ag
ABOUT AGRITECTURE
Agritecture is a global urban agriculture consulting firm, whose mission is to empower impact-driven organizations to develop feasible urban farming solutions, turning their business ideas into practical and sustainable realities. Agritecture has completed more than 100 consulting projects in over 20 countries, working with a range of clients including entrepreneurs, real estate developers, educational non-profits, corporate food- & agri-businesses, and city agencies. Agritecture’s popular blog and social media presence have a total digital following of 100,000. www.agritecture.com
Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States