Controlled Environment

USDA proposes changes in handling requirements for Florida tomatoes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing changes to the handling requirements under the federal marketing order for tomatoes grown in Florida. The Florida Tomato Committee recommended the changes to bring previously exempt Roma tomatoes... more »

Participants sought for Cornell indoor farm survey

A Cornell University team is leading a new project to investigate how controlled environment agriculture compares to conventional field agriculture in terms of energy, carbon and water footprints, profitability, workforce development and scalability. Strategic FEW... more »

BioLumic appoints Steve Sibulkin as CEO

BioLumic Ltd. (“BioLumic”), which uses plant photogenics to unlock the genetic potential of seeds and seedlings, announced June 8 the appointment of Steve Sibulkin as chief executive officer. According to a news release, Sibulkin will lead the... more »

Kalera, University of Florida LED lighting study sheds new light

Technology-driven vertical farming company Kalera announced June 4 the publication of a new study, “Effect of End-of-Production High-Energy Radiation on Nutritional Quality of Indoor-Grown Red-Leaf Lettuce,” conducted in partnership with the University of Florida. The Kalera-sponsored study... more »

Smarter energy usage is key to a greener future – including greenhouses

LED lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, high-density insulation and electric vehicles – despite these innovations, about two-thirds of the energy produced in the U.S. is lost to inefficiencies, according to national studies. For scientists and economists who work... more »

Indoor Ag-Con debuts free webinar series with United Fresh panel discussion

Indoor Ag-Con LLC, producers of an event for the indoor|vertical farming industry, is launching a free monthly webinar series to share content originally planned for its May 2020 in-person annual conference that has been postponed... more »

Is indoor farming a solution? UF/IFAS scientists explain

At one time, the concept of vegetables growing inside a temperature-controlled facility where LED lights and advanced technology set the pace for year-round harvesting, promoted photosynthesis and water use efficiency, and required no pesticides, was... more »

Lipman Family Farms marks Huron move, names Danner as general manager

At the two-year anniversary mark of Immokalee, Florida-based Lipman Family Farms’ acquisition of the greenhouse grower Huron Produce, the company has promoted Marc Danner as the general manager of protected agriculture. ... more »