LAS VEGAS –Indoor Ag-Con, the largest trade show and conference for the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, has announced the Day Two keynote for its February 11-12, 2026 event in Las Vegas. Titled “The State of CEA Finance: Capital Flows, Discipline, and Lessons Learned,” the keynote will take place on Thursday, February 12 from 8:00–8:50 AM PST and will feature a fireside chat with two of the most influential voices shaping CEA and agri-food finance: Dave Chen, Co-Founder & CEO of Equilibrium, and David Verbitsky, President & Managing Director of Verbitsky Capital. As the industry continues to mature following a decade marked by rapid expansion, shifting…
Author: urbanagnews
Join the University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (UA-CEAC) for the annual Greenhouse Hydroponic Tomato Workshop (online and in-person). This three-day professional workshop focuses on tomato production using greenhouse hydroponic methods for small, medium, and large growers at all skill levels! Discount codes available for groups, Arizona residents, UofA affiliates, students, and returning customers. Course webpage: 2026 Greenhouse Hydroponic Tomato Workshop | Controlled Environment Agriculture Center Contact: Aaron Tevik at atevik@arizona.edu
Graduate Student Will Receive Full Conference Experience, Travel, Lodging – Plus Exclusive Mentorship and Media Opportunities LAS VEGAS (November 19, 2025) — Indoor Ag-Con is once again teaming up with Sollum Technologies, a pioneer in advanced dynamic LED lighting solution for controlled environment agriculture (CEA), to launch the 2026 edition of the Sollum Student Scholarship to Indoor Ag-Con. Designed to support the next generation of CEA researchers and innovators, this scholarship will provide a graduate-level student pursuing doctoral work in a CEA-related field with an all-expenses-paid trip to attend Indoor Ag-Con, February 11-12, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV. Scholarship recipient will receive:…
PORTLAND, OR – (November 12, 2025) – Resource Innovation Institute (RII), a leading non-profit organization advancing resource efficiency in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), today announced the simultaneous release of four major industry guides developed through collaborative working groups with industry representatives, university researchers, policymakers, and technology providers. The publications represent the culmination of a federally funded, two-year project aimed at addressing critical challenges facing the CEA industry at multiple scales and stages of development. The four guides offer practical, evidence-based guidance on topics ranging from emerging technologies to operational efficiency strategies, resource-sharing models, and international knowledge transfer. Each publication was…
Registration is now open for ADVANCEA Academy’s 2026 online course, “Introduction to Greenhouse Environmental Control for Crop Production.” The 13-week certificate course runs from January 8 to April 2, 2026, and is ideal for individuals working in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry or enrolled in academic programs who want to deepen their understanding of environmental controls in greenhouse systems. What You Will Learn In this course, learners will: Course Delivery This course is delivered virtually using Zoom for live sessions with all course content hosted on The Ohio State University’s Canvas platform. It includes six live lectures with interactive Q&A…
Ames, IA – Urban growers interested in indoor farming are invited to attend an upcoming Iowa State University Urban Agriculture Program webinar. On Thursday, Dec. 11, from 1 – 2 p.m. (Central), Dr. Christopher Currey will present “Controlled Environments for Urban Ag: A Primer.” Dr. Currey is an Associate Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Register online: https://go.iastate.edu/LN5S8M The session will introduce key concepts and decisions in hydroponics and other controlled-environment systems. These innovative practices allow year-round food production when outdoor growing isn’t possible. Participants will gain insight into the benefits and considerations of small-scale indoor food production in urban settings. Dr. Christopher…
A key to successful crop production is managing those pesky weeds. Weed Management is part of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training program offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension (UF). This course will help you understand weed management strategies for nurseries and greenhouses, including weed identification, herbicides and non- chemical methods for effective control that apply to every area of the world. Rated 4.4 out of 5 by grower participants, with an 89% graduation rate last year! Weed Management is taught by Dr. Chris Marble, Associate Professor of ornamental and landscape weed management in the Environmental Horticulture Dept. at…
Indoor Ag-Con, the largest trade show and conference for the greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming industry, has unveiled its 2026 Conference Program featuring an all-new lineup of nine crop and sector tracks along with a speaker roster that is growing daily. Returning to the Westgate Las Vegas, February 11-12, 2026, the 13th annual edition of Indoor Ag-Con will once again unite growers, business leaders, suppliers, policymakers, academics/researchers and other industry members from around the globe to explore the latest trends, technologies, and opportunities shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture. The expanded 2026 conference program introduces dedicated tracks for: The tracks will feature…
Climate ManagementAdvanced: Experienced, well-trained grower, upper university level. Rated 4.6 out of 5 by grower participants. Practical Disease ManagementIntermediate: Some experience and training, entry university level. Rated 4.4 out of 5 by grower participants. Climate Management is taught by PhD instructors Paul Fisher from University of Florida, Erik Runkle and Roberto Lopez from Michigan State University, Jim Faust from Clemson University, John Erwin from University of Maryland, Jennifer Boldt and Kale Harbick from USDA-ARS, Charlie Hall from Texas A&M, as well as environmental control experts from Argus, Priva, and Wadsworth. This well-rounded team will help you select and operate climate…
‘Rooted in Water, Fueled by Fish: Advancing Hydroponics Through Aquaponics’ As part of its mission to bring the entire controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry together, Indoor Ag-Con is partnering with the Aquaponics Association to present a full-day pre-conference workshop, “Rooted in Water, Fueled by Fish: Advancing Hydroponics Through Aquaponics,” on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Held just ahead of the 13th Annual Indoor Ag-Con, February 11–12, 2026, this immersive workshop will explore how aquaponics—integrating fish and plants into a closed-loop ecosystem—builds upon hydroponic production to enhance yield, resource efficiency, and profitability. Registration is $445 per person and includes lunch and an…
By Michigan State University EAST LANSING, MI — Michigan State University Extension is proud to announce that Roberto G. Lopez, PhD, associate professor and controlled environment/floriculture Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University (MSU), has been named the 2025 Outstanding Extension Educator by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). “I was honored when I learned that my MSU colleagues nominated me for the ASHS Extension award as I only have a 25% extension appointment and I was even more honored when I received notification that I was the 2025 recipient. A big thank you to everyone that wrote letters of…
Registration is open! Join us October 30th at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center for morning presentations and afternoon tours to learn about the latest research and future applications in Integrated Pest and Pathogen Management |Controlled Environment Agriculture Settings. This event is FREE, but you do need to register. Event Registration Link: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ento-ev-127
By NC State University Over the past decade, Ricardo Hernandez has blazed scientific trails aimed at making indoor farming higher yielding, more environmentally sustainable and more profitable. Determined to see his breakthroughs benefit farmers, he’s now forging a new path as an entrepreneur. In December 2024, the NC State University horticultural scientist launched Rooted-in-tech, a plant propagation company that will use the recipes he’s developed for altering a range of indoor growing conditions to create seedlings that meet farmers’ specific needs. “The goal,” says Hernandez, an associate professor in the Department of Horticultural Science, “is to provide higher-quality plants to U.S. growers of multiple horticultural…
A new online course for growers on Substrates for Container-Grown Plants will train your nursery, greenhouse or CEA staff to understand the science of substrates (also called potting mix or growing media) on factors that improve water and air availability for plants. The course is taught by Dr. Loren Oki, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, and Dr. Jeb Fields, Assistant Professor at University of Florida. The course is offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension Greenhouse Online Training and is a requirement for the new Root Zone Expert program. Substrates for Container-Grown Plants is designed for people…