249. Insights and Strategies for Design and Build Efficiency w. Jeff Lair
Release Date: 07/12/2024
256. EXPERT ROUNDTABLE: The State of CEA 2025
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. 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. 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...
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253. Transforming Data Integration and Ownership w. Adam Greenberg
CropTalk
In this episode of CropTalk, we dive into the transformative role of AI and data in Controlled Environment Agriculture with Adam Greenberg, CEO of IUNU. Adam shares his expertise on how AI and machine vision are revolutionizing greenhouse operations, the importance of data integration, and why growers must prioritize data ownership to stay competitive. We explore the evolution of technology in CEA, the commoditization of AI, and what the future holds for innovation, from new data metrics to advances in crop registration. Plus, Adam shares his vision for 2025, including industry growth...
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252. Supply Chain & Operational Excellence w. Nadav Regev
CropTalk
Nadav Regev, Director of Business Operations at Eden Green Technology, joins us on this week's episode of CropTalk to explore the intricacies of supply chain management and operational excellence within Controlled Environment Agriculture. With his deep expertise, we dive into effective strategies for optimizing supply chains, the role of accurate forecasting in CEA operations, and how to streamline processes for peak efficiency. Nadav also shares his vision for the future of business operations in the industry and key insights on staying competitive in an evolving market.
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251. CEA Lettuce Food Safety Bootcamp w. Randall Sanderson
CropTalk
Randall Sanderson, Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at Little Leaf Farms, joins us on this weeks episode of CropTalk to delve into all things related to food safety in Controlled Environment Agriculture. With a wealth of industry experience, we discuss key strategies for keeping your operation safe from pathogens and contaminants, best practices for ensuring high-quality produce, and Randall's insights on the future of the CEA industry.
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250! Mastering CEA Profitability in 2024 w. Charlie Hall
CropTalk
CropTalk has made it to episode 250! In this week's special episode, guest host Adam Greenberg of IUNU navigates a compelling discussion with Charlie Hall, esteemed professor at Texas A&M in person at this year's Cultivate tradeshow. Topics include optimizing economic strategies, enhancing profitability, and the broader economics impacting CEA. Charlie shares his expert analysis, highlighting key factors that influence financial success in this growing industry and his forecasts for its future economic trends. Don't miss this deep dive into the financial landscape of CEA with two leading...
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249. Insights and Strategies for Design and Build Efficiency w. Jeff Lair
CropTalk
Jeff 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.
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248. Bridging the Gap between Horticulture and Hospitality w. Jack Maruna
CropTalk
Jack Maruna, co-founder of Local Grow, joins us to discuss how his startup is helping restaurants and the hospitality industry embrace the benefits of growing their own local produce. In this episode, we explore the marketing advantages of on-site cultivation, hear insights on how to best speak “chef”, and delve into Jack's predictions for the future of Controlled Environment Agriculture.
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247. Fresh Produce and Tech Trends w. Vonnie Estes
CropTalk
Vonnie Estes, driven by a passion for agriculture, technology, and sustainability, serves as the VP of Innovation at the International Fresh Produce Association. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech, Vonnie and I delve into the industry's key challenges and explore some innovative solutions in development. Our discussion covers topics such as packaging advancements, the future of vertical farming, and unique industry collaborations. Vonnie also shares her predictions for the future of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and what to expect in the coming years.
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.