249. Insights and Strategies for Design and Build Efficiency w. Jeff Lair
Release Date: 07/12/2024
263. Master Tomato Grower Series (Episode 2) w. Roberto Ramirez of Best Boy Farms
CropTalk
In this episode of CropTalk, we continue the Master Tomato Grower Series with Roberto Ramirez, Head Grower at Best Boy Farms (Hazel Farms), formerly part of Bushel Boy. From his roots as a crop worker in Mexico to leading 19+ acres of high-tech greenhouse production, Roberto shares what it really takes to scale in CEA. We cover labor retention, biological controls, tech evaluation, and his outlook on AI and genetics in controlled environment agriculture. A grounded, insightful conversation on growing crops, leading teams, and staying ahead in a changing industry.
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262. Master Tomato Grower Series (Episode 1) w. Gabriel Ferraro of Sunterra Greenhouse
CropTalk
To kick off the Master Tomato Grower Series, I sat down with Gabriel Ferraro, Head Grower at Sunterra Greenhouse in Alberta. Gabe has one of the most well-rounded resumes in the industry, from cut flowers in Colombia to cannabis in Canada and now leads one of the region’s top tomato operations. We got into the real challenges he's facing: unpredictable weather, labor shortages, and a tough pricing landscape. Gabe shares why he’s not convinced automation is the answer, and how hands-on growing, sharp team communication, and consistent walkthroughs are still the keys to success. This...
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261. Leading with Feeling, Faith, and Precision w. Pieter Slaman
CropTalk
In this special episode of CropTalk, guest host Adam Greenberg sits down with Pieter Slaman, Head Grower at Little Leaf Farms, for a raw and insightful conversation recorded live at their Massachusetts facility. Pieter shares the remarkable story behind Little Leaf’s rise from a bold idea to North America’s largest lettuce greenhouse operation. With a deep focus on plant-centric growing, Pieter explains the operational philosophies and cultural values that set Little Leaf apart in a competitive and often volatile CEA landscape. From the importance of trusting your growers to the pitfalls...
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260. The Investment & Finance ROUNDTABLE (Episode 4)
CropTalk
In the series finale of the CropTalk Finance & Investment Series, I bring together our three previous guests: Anton Bellot, Adam Bergman, and Curt Meltzer for an honest and unfiltered roundtable discussion. We dive deep into the hard lessons learned from nearly $8 billion invested into Controlled Environment Agriculture with limited success. Together, we unpack where the disconnects occurred, why so many operations & investors failed, and what it will realistically take for CEA to move forward. Key topics include the critical need for shifting from venture capital to...
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259. The Investment & Finance in CEA Series (Episode 3) w. Curt Meltzer
CropTalk
In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Curt Meltzer, a former Attorney turned Managing Partner & CEO of Kentucky Fresh Harvest, to explore the high-stakes world of finance, risk, and reality in Controlled Environment Agriculture. Curt shares his unique perspective as both an early-stage investor and an operator who was thrust into the day-to-day management of a large-scale tomato greenhouse after project delays, cost overruns, and pandemic-era complications. Drawing from his legal background and experience leading a struggling operation, Curt offers brutally honest...
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258. The Investment & Finance in CEA Series (Episode 2) w. Adam Bergman
CropTalk
In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Adam Bergman, Managing Director of EcoTech Capital and a seasoned agtech investment expert, for a candid conversation about the hard truths and future opportunities in Controlled Environment Agriculture. Adam unpacks the aftermath of the $8 billion investment surge that flooded into indoor farming from 2017 to 2023, analyzing why many startups failed to deliver on bold promises and what the industry needs to do differently moving forward. From the overfunding of vertical farms to the scalability challenges of biology-based systems, Adam...
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257. The Investment & Finance in CEA Series (Episode 1) w. Anton Bellot
CropTalk
In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Anton Bellot, Director of Agribusiness and Agri-Food at ATB Financial, to break down the realities of CEA investment. With nearly a decade in agricultural finance, Anton shares insights on the shifting investment climate, lessons from the 2021 funding surge, and why some startups struggled while others thrived. They discuss the key financial challenges facing CEA today, the differences between greenhouses and vertical farms from a lender’s perspective, and what investors should realistically expect in terms of returns. Anton also...
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256. STATE OF CEA 2025 ROUNDTABLE (Episode 4)
CropTalk
In this special roundtable episode of CropTalk, I’m joined by industry experts Marco de Bruin (de Bruin Consulting), Chris Higgins (Hort Americas), and Adam Greenberg (IUNU) to break down the current state of Controlled Environment Agriculture. As the industry reaches a pivotal moment, we dive deep into the complexities of operational mastery versus technology, the shifting landscape of investments, and the pressing challenges of workforce development. We cover everything from navigating tariff impacts and energy costs to the future of vertical farming. Is modular expansion the key to...
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255. STATE OF CEA 2025 (Episode 3) Hard Truths on Greenhouse Success w. Marco de Bruin
CropTalk
In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Marco de Bruin, founder of De Bruin Greenhouse Consulting, whose experience spans from Revol Greens to Equilibrium Capital and Bushel Boy Farms. Marco shares his remarkable journey from growing up in the Netherlands to becoming a leading figure in North American greenhouse operations. Together, they dive into the current state of the CEA industry, discussing the hard lessons learned over the past few years, the growing pains of vertical farming, and the essential role experienced operators play in greenhouse success. Marco offers expert...
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254. STATE OF CEA 2025 (Episode 2) CEA Challenges, Lessons, and the Path Forward w. Chris Higgins
CropTalk
In this episode of CropTalk, I sit down with Chris Higgins, President and Co-Founder of Hort Americas, to explore the evolving landscape of Controlled Environment Agriculture. Chris shares insights on the importance of quality, consistency, and reliability in horticulture, emphasizing how growers can navigate the challenges of supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rising production costs. We discuss the rise and fall of vertical farming investments, the lessons learned from overhyped ag-tech, and what it takes to build a sustainable and profitable growing operation. Chris also touches...
info_outlineJeff Lair, Director of Architecture and Engineering at DAG, joins us to discuss insights and strategies for achieving design and build efficiency in Controlled Environment Agriculture. We explore the importance of optimizing processes, balancing cost and operational efficiency, and Jeff offers expert perspectives and forecasts on the evolving landscape of the CEA market.