Welcome to iGrow News, Your Source for the World of Indoor Vertical Farming
2021 Virtual Plant Lighting Short Course
In each sequential module, attendees will use interactive tools to define their specific lighting requirements, hear from industry experts about available horticultural lighting systems, and learn how to compare different lighting strategies
Now Open For Registration!
Working in partnership, GLASE, OptimIA, and LAMP are excited to announce the first annual Plant Lighting Short Course! This 6-week modular short course is designed to provide participants the opportunity to learn about all aspects related to the selection, implementation, and benefits of plant lighting systems.
In each sequential module, attendees will use interactive tools to define their specific lighting requirements, hear from industry experts about available horticultural lighting systems, and learn how to compare different lighting strategies. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to make informed decisions about the best options to meet their lighting needs.
More Info & Registration
Media Partners
Recordings Now Available
GLASE Webinar Series
This short presentation will cover the history of research on photosynthetic responses to light spectrum, recent work on the importance of far-red photons, and a discussion of the implication of (not) extending the definition of PAR
The photosynthetic activity of far-red photons was discovered 70 years ago, but has largely been ignored since then. Recent research has drawn new attention to the importance of far-red photons.
This short presentation will cover the history of research on photosynthetic responses to light spectrum, recent work on the importance of far-red photons, and a discussion of the implication of (not) extending the definition of PAR. There will be ample time for discussion following the presentation.
Register Here - August 26 • 2-3 p.m. EST
How To Maximize Resource Efficiency In Controlled Environment Ag Operations
Join Meena Sankara, KETOS CEO, and Tinia Pina, Re-Nuble CEO, for a discussion about the most significant challenges and opportunities facing Controlled Environment Agriculture operations
Tuesday, August 3 @ 12:30 pm ET / 9:30 am PT
Wednesday, August 4 @ 9:00 am ET / 1 pm GMT
Join Meena Sankara, KETOS CEO, and Tinia Pina, Re-Nuble CEO, for a discussion about the most significant challenges and opportunities facing Controlled Environment Agriculture operations. In this webinar you will learn:
Why water management is important in the CEA industry
Challenges soilless/indoor farms face when improving water management efficiency
How soilless operations (including vertical farms and greenhouses) can be more resource-efficient
Strategies for the nutrient wastewater recovery
Which waste recovery solutions are best for your operation
August 3rd Webinar Registration
August 4th Webinar Registration
Container Farming To Increase Food Security In The Caribbean
As part of our Grow Food Here series, join us for a live conversation with Freight Farmers, Lincoln Deal, and Latesha Gibson from Eeden Farms
Hear How Eeden Farms Is Bringing Fresh,
Local Produce To Their Island.
As part of our Grow Food Here series, join us for a live conversation with Freight Farmers, Lincoln Deal, and Latesha Gibson from Eeden Farms. Throughout the event, we’ll explore how they brought container farming to the Bahamas to reduce the island’s reliance on food imports and serve their local community with the freshest local food available. We’ll also discuss the challenges farmers face in the Bahamas, what they’re currently growing in their three container farms and their plans for the future.
At the end of the event, Lincoln and Latesha will answer your questions through the live q & a
Register Now
Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 12 PM EST
Interested In How To Start Farming?
We take you through the whole journey one step at a time. From finding customers to training to delivery logistics, we’ve got you covered.
Learn more
Get in touch!
Are you interested in learning more about how to become a Freight Farmer? Contact us for additional information on how to get started today.
Whose Roundtable Will You Join At Indoor AgTech, June 24-25?
Are you ready to debate hyper-local food systems, optimizing plant traits and the best approaches to grower and buyer partnerships?
Are you ready to debate hyper-local food systems, optimizing plant traits and the best approaches to grower and buyer partnerships? Take your pick of 34 roundtable discussions hosted by international agtech leaders at this month’s Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit.
A hugely popular part of the program, the small group breakouts offer a great opportunity to expand your network and engage with the topics most critical to you and your business. You’ll benefit from different viewpoints and fresh thinking, leaving with a wealth of valuable new connections.
Whose discussion group will you join? Places are limited and tables fill quickly, so be sure to save your seat on the virtual platform.
ROUNDTABLE HOSTS & TOPICS
JOIN THEM - REGISTER NOW
Over 500 of your industry colleagues are already busy networking and booking their sessions on the virtual summit platform so don't miss out - join them now.
Remember, the platform will be available 24/7 for a full month after the summit, so you can continue to network with delegates and rewatch all the sessions on demand.
We are looking forward to welcoming you online.
Oscar Brennecke
Conference Producer
Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit
oscar.brennecke@rethinkevents.com
+44 (0)1273 789989
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
Marketing and Media Partners:
HOSTED ALONGSIDE
Another Week, Another Webinar! You are Invited To Join Us on The 17th of June For The: FTS Virtual Round Table Talks HR in CEA
Agriculture, as a whole, has a wide range of labor and HR challenges. How can CEA help the horticulture industry overcome these problems? Join FarmTech, Ponic Jobs, and more experts from the field in this webinar to find out
Agriculture, as a whole, has a wide range of labor and HR challenges. How can CEA help the horticulture industry overcome these problems? Join FarmTech, Ponic Jobs, and more experts from the field in this webinar to find out!
Register For The Webinar >>
The webinar will be interactive, hosted via Zoom, and there is time reserved for a Q&A directly with the experts. Can't join live? Register now and you'll be able to watch the recording of the webinar at your convenience.
Join us on Thursday 17 June!
FTS virtual round table talks HR in CEA
Thursday 17 June 15:00 – 16:30 (GMT +2)
Kyle BarnettFounder/Owner, Ponic Jobs
Moderator
Todd DowningManaging Partner, Best Human Capital & Advisory Group
Table guest
Charlotte VisserCOO, Viscon Group
Table guest
Lisanne MeulendijksSpecialist Vertical Farming, Delphy Improvement Center
Table guest
Kate BrunswickStrategic Relationship Manager, Innovation AgriTech Group
Table guest
Clement CardonAgriculture Policy Assistant, FarmTech Society
Table guest
See The Program>>
[Upcoming Webinars] Communicating Sustainability, Financing Indoor Ag
This panel will explore the best practices for communicating and reporting on sustainability with the hopes of encouraging the industry to mature
Indoor Ag-Con
SUSTAINABILITY, FINANCING HEADLINE
MAY | JUNE INDOOR AG-CONVERSATIONS SCHEDULE
MAY 26, 2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
Indoor Ag-Con & Agritecture invite you to join us for this important session.
Despite a decade of innovation and funding in vertical farming, many businesses do not communicate accurate information about the sustainability of their technology or operations. Whether it's unsubstantiated claims of water savings, carbon reduction, circularity, or overall sustainability, many companies do not avoid greenwashing in their marketing. This panel will explore the best practices for communicating and reporting on sustainability with the hopes of encouraging the industry to mature.
Moderator:
Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder & CEO, Agritecture
Panelists:
Sara Segergren, Project Portfolio Leader, Sustainability Innovation and Development,
Ingka Group | IKEA
Sam Norton, Founder, Heron Farms
Lisa Causarano, International Accounts Manager, Schneider Electric
SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT!
JUNE 8 & 9, 2021 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT EACH DAY
Join Indoor Ag-Con, Brad McNamara & FarmTech Society for this
2-day SPECIAL EDITION of Indoor Ag-Conversations.
DAY 1 | JUNE 8, 2021 -- 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
During 3 in-depth panel discussions with successful entrepreneurs and their investors, host Brad McNamara will push for first-hand accounts of each round to pull back the curtain on what it takes to fund an idea and create an investment-grade business in CEA.
DAY 2 | JUNE 9, 2021 -- 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
2020 was a big year for Controlled Environment Agriculture -- and the next two years are likely to see unprecedented growth and change in the sector.
On day 2 of our Indoor Ag-Conversations 'Seed to Scale' event, the host FarmTech Society will focus on the maturing of the industry as CEA "crosses the chasm" into mainstream adoption.
LEARN MORE & SAVE THE DATE
INDOOR AG-CON - IN PERSON!
OCTOBER 4-5, 2021
We can't wait to see our industry colleagues again in October! We've got an incredible program lined up from you. Check out our expo hall floor, which is filling up quickly. And, explore our educational offerings, including keynotes from top indoor ag CEOS, panel discussions diving deep into 3 tracks - business & marketing; science & technology; alternative crops & growing methods.
And, of course, a full roster of networking opportunities, too!
JOIN US!
SPECIAL THANKS TO INDOOR AG-CON 2021 SPONSORS & MEDIA ALLIES
Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States
Save The Date!
OptimIA (Optimizing Indoor Agriculture) is a USDA-funded Specialty Crop Research Initiative project to support indoor farming industry through critical research and extension activities
OptimIA Stakeholder Meeting
August 20th, 2021
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Eastern
Plan to join our annual stakeholder meeting online to learn about our collaborative research update!
More information available on our website
OptimIA (Optimizing Indoor Agriculture) is a USDA-funded Specialty Crop Research Initiative project to support the indoor farming industry through critical research and extension activities.
Unleashing The Potential of Seed Optimization | Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit, June 24-25
Join AeroFarms, Unfold, Sound Agriculture, VertiVegies, ASTA, and Vineland Research
Join AeroFarms, Unfold, Sound Agriculture, VertiVegies, ASTA, and Vineland Research
How and why are seed companies and growers investing in seed optimization for indoor environments? What is the potential impact on OPEX, and what opportunities will seed varieties tailored to indoor agriculture present for producers seeking to differentiate themselves?
Join the virtual Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit this June 24-25 to discover how international growers, seed companies and researchers are optimizing genetics for taste, texture, yield and nutritional value.
SEE FULL AGENDA
EXPERT PANEL SESSION
AEROFARMS VIEWPOINT
AeroFarms shares an update about its new farms in the USA and Abu Dhabi and the importance of optimizing seeds for indoor environments.
David Rosenberg, CEO & Co-Founder,
AEROFARMS
READ ARTICLE WITH AEROFARMS
With just three weeks to go until our virtual platform goes live for pre-summit networking, book your place now for USD $395. This gives you a high-value route to connect directly online with over 400 of the most influential names in the industry, via 1-1 video networking and live-streamed interactive content. Session recordings and messaging are available for one month after the summit, so you won't miss any of the action.
We look forward to seeing you online next month!
Best wishes,
Oscar Brennecke
Conference Producer
Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit
oscar.brennecke@rethinkevents.com
+44 (0)1273 789989
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
Platinum Partners:
Marketing and Media Partners:
HOSTED ALONGSIDE
Indoor Ag Science Cafe May 18th
"Smart Sensors For Indoor Farming". Indoor Ag Science Cafe is an open discussion forum, planned and organized by OptimIA project team supported by USDA SCRI grants.
May Indoor Ag Science Cafe
May 18th Tuesday 11 AM Eastern Time
Please sign up!
"Smart Sensors For Indoor Farming"
by Dr. Krishna Nemali
Purdue University
Please sign up to receive the Zoom link.
Indoor Ag Science Cafe is an open discussion forum, planned and organized by OptimIA project team supported by USDA SCRI grants.
Sign Up Here
Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit June 24-25
We can’t wait for the virtual Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit! From 65+ global speakers to 1-1 video networking opportunities and live-streamed panel discussions, this is one event you don’t want to miss on June 24-25
We can’t wait for the virtual Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit! From 65+ global speakers to 1-1 video networking opportunities and live-streamed panel discussions, this is one event you don’t want to miss on June 24-25.
Find Out More
Join iGrow News at the virtual Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit (June 24-25) and connect with global farm operators, retailers, and investors for two days of insights into how CEA and vertical farming can reach greater profitability and scale
Find Out More
Global farm operators, retailers, investors, and technology providers will host live panel sessions and interactive roundtable debates on new trends and technologies at the virtual Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit (June 24-25):
REGISTER
The virtual Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit will focus on CEA and vertical farming reaching greater profitability and scale in the USA and overseas.
Will You BeJoining The Conversation
On June 24-25?
[Webinar] How I Did It - Fireside Chat - Farmbox Greens
In 2010, Dan Albert began laying the groundwork for what would become Farmbox Greens, a Seattle-based vertical farm growing specialty produce for retail and foodservice customers
JOIN OUR NEXT CONVERSATION
APRIL 28, 2021 | 2-3 PM EDT
In 2010, Dan Albert began laying the groundwork for what would become Farmbox Greens, a Seattle-based vertical farm growing specialty produce for retail and foodservice customers.
In 2016, Farmbox was acquired by a regional produce company and Dan went on to scale Farmbox to serve customers in the Northwest and beyond.
Join us for a fun “Fireside Chat” as Indoor Ag-Con’s Content Chair Jim Pantaleo sits down with Dan to discuss this great success story—from the farm’s early days to those first meetings with potential restaurant customers to making the connection with Charlie’s Produce.
Jim and Dan will also talk about Dan’s
newest role as Vice President of
Plant Performance with Unfold.
LEARN MORE & SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT!
Hybrid Event: Vertical Farming World Congress 2021 - September 20-22
There will be two days of conference sessions, where industry leaders, innovators, suppliers, advisers, and investors will share their insights through a series of presentations, interviews, and interactive panel discussions
Vertical Farming World Congress
Event: Vertical Farming World Congress 2021
Date: 20-22 September
Location: Hybrid event – London Heathrow, also online
Organizer: Zenith Global Ltd
Following the success of the inaugural 2020 event, attended by 180 delegates from 40 countries, Zenith Global is delighted to return with an expanded 2nd Vertical Farming World Congress.
Bringing together vertical farming operators, investors, suppliers, and customers, the event will again assemble key industry leaders from around the globe, to debate and advance the future’s sector.
There will be two days of conference sessions, where industry leaders, innovators, suppliers, advisers, and investors will share their insights through a series of presentations, interviews, and interactive panel discussions.
Extensive networking opportunities, from dedicated networking breaks and group workshops to welcome receptions, will enable all delegates to connect with other industry peers.
Attendees joining in person at London Heathrow will additionally have access to vertical farm tours, produce tasting, policy forums, and training courses.
For full event information and to register, visit: www.zenithglobal.com/events/vfwc2021
For information on sponsorship opportunities, visit www.zenithglobal.com/events/sponsorship,
or contact Maxine Harle on e mharle@zenithglobal.com t +44 (0)1225 327900
May 18th, 9 am EST - Webinar On How To Invest In CEA With Confidence
Agritecture is hosting a series of webinars, starting with How to invest in CEA with confidence
Agritecture is hosting a series of webinars, starting with How to invest in CEA with confidence. The CEA sector is heating up and is expected to grow 5x over the next 10 years. Investment in CEA has surpassed $2.0B across North America and Europe. Join Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder & CEO at Agritecture, for this 1-hour live webinar to learn more about how to invest confidently in the CEA industry.
How To invest In Controlled
Environment Agriculture With
Confidence
May 18 - 9 am EST
The lineup of speakers include:
Louisa Burwood Taylor, Head of Media & Research at AgFunder
Robert Glanville, Senior Advisor at REG Consulting LLC
Andrew Carter, Co-Founder & CEO at Smallhold
Darren Thompson, CFO at Bowery Farming
Djavid Amidi Abraham, Director Of Consulting at Agritecture
Click Here To Register!
For more information, you can check out our events listing here.
Agritecture
www.agritecture.com
Join Our Next Conversation - April 28, 2021 | 2:00 to 3:00 pm EDT
Join us for a fun “Fireside Chat” as Indoor Ag-Con’s Content Chair Jim Pantaleo sits down with Dan to discuss this great success story
In 2010, Dan Albert began laying the groundwork for what would become Farmbox Greens, a Seattle-based vertical farm growing specialty produce for retail and foodservice customers.
In 2016, Farmbox was acquired by a regional produce company and Dan went on to scale Farmbox to serve customers in the Northwest and beyond.
Join us for a fun “Fireside Chat” as Indoor Ag-Con’s Content Chair Jim Pantaleo sits down with Dan to discuss this great success story—from the farm’s early days to those first meetings with potential restaurant customers to making the connection with Charlie’s Produce.
Jim and Dan will also talk about Dan’s newest role as Vice President of Plant Performance with Unfold.
LEARN MORE & SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT!
Invitation To F&A Next 2021: The Impact of Innovation!
While our aim was to physically host the upcoming edition of F&A Next at the Campus of Wageningen University & Research, another virtual summit is today’s reality. Postponing is definitely not an option. Irrespective of Covid-19, a great deal happened in 2020. Investments in global food- and agtech were increased by over 30% to some USD 26 bilion!
F&A Next invites investors, entrepreneurs, and experts to address the next challenges of our sector on Wednesday, 26 May 2021 at the 6th annual F&A Next Summit. We look forward to showcasing the next scaling food and agtech companies. Yes, we‘ll miss meeting you in person, but we’ll make sure that dialing in will be as close as possible to the real thing!
During this year's 3-hour live, virtual summit we will
bring you up to speed on the Impact of Innovation in the agrifood industry,
present eight 'Next Heroes in Food- & Agtech', and
offer you ample opportunity to virtually connect and meet with (other) startups, scale-ups, investors, and corporates in the agrifood space.
GET YOUR EARLY-BIRD TICKET WITH A 25% DISCOUNT
Book your ticket before 12 April to get a 25% discount! Apply the code: FaN@21
Stay safe, stay healthy!
The partners of F&A Next
2021 Theme: "The impact of Innovation"
Get Your eTicket to F&A 2021, 26 May
Food & Ag Innovation only started around 2014 and has definitely gained momentum ever since. in 2020 investments in global food and agtech have risen, irrespective of Covid-19 influences. The pandemic did, however, trigger changes in consumer behavior. Has ‘life as we know it’ irrevocably changed? And what about the much-needed innovation earlier in the value chain?
At F&A Next, Rob Leclerc, founding Partner of Agfunder and Nick Ferreday, Executive Director Food & Agribusiness at Rabobank, will compare notes.
Our Monthly Webinar For April Is “Training The Next Generation of Aquaponic Farmers” From Researcher Sarah Milliken At The University of Greenwich, U.K.
Ms. Milliken will introduce an open access aquaponics curriculum, Aqu@teach, specifically developed for college students with a focus on entrepreneurial and transferable skills
The Webinar Will Take Place Live, Saturday,
April 17 From 11 am To 12 pm EST And Feature A Live Q&A.
Click Below To Register:
REGISTER: Training the Next Generation of Aquaponic Farmers
Ms. Milliken will introduce an open access aquaponics curriculum, Aqu@teach, specifically developed for college students with a focus on entrepreneurial and transferable skills. As soilless food production technologies become increasingly important in light of climate change and the threat of food insecurity, there is an urgent need to provide an appropriately trained workforce.
The Webinar is free to the public during the live broadcast. The Webinar will remain available for free, in perpetuity, to all Aquaponics Association Members in the Member’s Area of our Community Site.
Special thanks to Ed "Aqua-Eddie" Tivnan, Association Director of STEM Aquaponics, for organizing the webinar.
Hope to see you there!
Brian Filipowich, Chairman
Aquaponics Association
The Aquaponics Association
1240 Evarts Street, NE
Washington, DC 20018
Webinar: Tuesday, 30 March 2021 Dr. Csaba Hornyik (Intelligent Growth Solutions), Peter-James Lennox (Kroptek), Katia Zacharaki (Digital Farming / Harper Adams University / UKUAT)
This panel is the second online event, which succeeds the intro webinar with the title ‘What is the secret to growing strawberries in TCEA?’
Discover The UK Strawberry
Vertical Farming Industry
Strawberries can be grown in TCEA. That is well established. Challenges exist, but the industry is thriving to tackle them. Are you wondering where the UK urban farming industry is in terms of the development of TCEA strawberry systems? Are you keen to ask questions about pesticide use in TCEA? Or where the plants are coming from? Or questions about the yields and the fruit quality (size, Brix)? UKUAT brings to you a panel discussion to answer all these questions.
REGISTER
This panel is the second online event, which succeeds the intro webinar with the title ‘What is the secret to growing strawberries in TCEA?’. Following some of your questions, we bring to you two fine organization members of UKUAT to share their experience working with strawberries in TCEA and answer more of your questions.
Dr. Csaba Hornyik from Intelligent Growth Solutions Ltd. and Peter-James Lennox from Kroptek will be our panelists, and Katia Zacharaki will facilitate the discussion. The webinar will be interactive, engaging and will provide a collision space for like-minded interested growers, producers, scientists and enthusiasts for this field. And of course, there will be opportunities for a live Q & A at the end of the session. Katia Zacharaki will facilitate the discussion.
Dr. Csaba Hornyik, Plant Scientist at Intelligent Growth Solutions Ltd.
Csaba is an experienced plant scientist having a background in plant development, molecular biology and pathology. His main role at IGS is to plan, carry out and analyze crop trials focusing on the development of environmental recipes for crops growing in a total controlled-environment. Csaba also develops the crop portfolio and manages customers trials at the vertical farm in Invergowrie, Dundee.
Strawberry is in the focus of several customers and the industry needs a reliable supply of propagules. The vertical farm is suitable to grow strawberry plants from seeds, grow them up and produce runners to further propagate the plants. All of the different stages of plant development need special settings which could be set in the vertical farm. We develop recipes for germination, early-stage growth and runner production. Root development is also under optimization to produce strong propagules during a short time. Flower and berry production is out of scope for IGS at the moment, but optimization is underway for flower development and berry production.
Peter-James Lennox, Project Manager at Kroptek
Peter is a project manager at Kroptek for the last two years, an LED grow lights and farming solutions company - with over 16 years of experience in the horticultural industry. Having previously worked as a Designer Manager in the technology sector made him realize the lack of equipment and knowledge in the TCEA horticultural industry. This, combined with the passion developed from growing up in a strawberry farm that only used soil, inspired me to find the best solutions for the horticultural sector.
Bio of webinar moderator:
Katia Zacharaki is working as Senior Research Engineer for Digital Farming involved in leafy salads, microgreens, and strawberry research. She is working on her Ph.D. with Harper Adams University and supports UKUAT as Communications Director.
March Indoor Ag Science Cafe - March 30th Tuesday 11 AM Eastern US Time
This month's Café Will Introduce A Funding Opportunity For Small Businesses‘ R&D
This month's Café Will Introduce A Funding Opportunity
For Small Businesses‘ R&D.
Please sign up, thank you!
"USDA SBIR Grants Program Overview"
Dr. Steven Thomson & Melinda Coffman
USDA NIFA
SBIR = Small Business Innovation Research
Please sign up so that you will receive Zoom link info.
Indoor Ag Science Cafe is an open discussion forum, planned and organized by OptimIA project team supported by USDA SCRI grants.
Sign up here
[Webinar] Airing It Out: Clean Production Room Environment
You won't want to miss our next Indoor Ag-Conversations webinar session as our expert panel talks about creating a healthy environment for people and plants
JOIN OUR NEXT CONVERSATION
MARCH 24, 2021 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT
You won't want to miss our next Indoor Ag-Conversations webinar session as our expert panel talks about creating a healthy environment
for people and plants
MODERATOR:
Dr. Nadia Sabeh, Ph.D., President|Founder, Dr. Greenhouse
PANELISTS INCLUDE:
Trent Thiel, Industrial Molecular Filtration Product Manager for North and South America, Camfil Americas
Jeremy Shechter, Director of Cultivation, Buckeye Relief
During the program, our panelists will touch on:
Air Filtration
Sanitation Best Practice
Covid Safety
Much More!
LEARN MORE & SAVE YOUR FREE SPOT!
SPECIAL THANKS TO INDOOR AG-CON MEDIA ALLIES, EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS
Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States