Highlights of the Program

2 days business program:

Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.

SHOWCASING INNOVATION:

Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.

leaders talk:

Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.

MULTIPLE STREAMS:

A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.

SMART TECHNOLOGIES:

Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.

roundtable discussion:

Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.

Program

Day 1 :
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:10
RESERVED PRESENTATION
10:10 - 10:30
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
  • Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
  • Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
  • Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues – don't forget your business cards!
10:30 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:25
CONNECTED, NOT COMPLICATED: RETHINKING MONITORING SYSTEMS IN VERTICAL FARMING
Evija Gosse
Aranet

Evija Gosse

Aranet

  • Debunking myths around wired systems and showcasing the benefits of modern wireless alternatives
  • Exploring how seamless system integration improves efficiency and reduces data fragmentation
  • Demonstrating how real-time wireless data enables holistic, proactive farm management
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON SMART MONITORING IN VERTICAL FARMING SYSTEMS
11:30 - 11:55
MAKE INFORMED MANAGEMENT DECISIONS: LEVERAGE PLANT PHYSIOLOGICAL INFORMATION TO OPTIMIZE RESOURCE UTILIZATION
Richard Vath
LI-COR

Richard Vath

LI-COR

  • Exploring what constitutes meaningful physiological signals and why they matter in plant monitoring
  • Identifying the types of plant physiological data most useful for optimizing resource allocation and efficiency
  • Demonstrating how actionable data supports smarter management decisions across farm operations
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON PLANT DATA AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
12:00 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE VERTICAL FARMING SHOW EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
CONTROLLING SALMONELLA ENTERICA IN WATER-RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS FOR LETTUCE PRODUCTION USING A BACTERIOPHAGE COCKTAIL
Vania Mickos
Mullin

Vania Mickos

Mullin

  • Exploring food safety risks in hydroponic, aquaponic, and other water-recirculating growing systems
  • Demonstrating how bacteriophage cocktails act as effective biological controls against Salmonella contamination
  • Presenting experimental results and insights on optimizing biocontrol strategies for safe, sustainable lettuce production
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON FOOD SAFETY AND BIOCONTROL IN RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS
14:00 - 14:25
FIT-THE-FARM LIGHTING: CUSTOM LEDs THAT MATCH YOUR AGRONOMY (NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND)
Brian Bennett
Thrive Agritech

Brian Bennett

Thrive Agritech

  • Showing how tailored lighting solutions adapt to each farm’s structure, workflows, and energy needs
  • Explaining how advanced LED designs improve installation, serviceability, and climate efficiency
  • Sharing case studies on how custom lighting boosts yield, quality, and cost-effectiveness in diverse setups
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON CUSTOM LED LIGHTING FOR FARM-SPECIFIC AGRONOMY
14:30 - 14:55
RETHINKING LOCAL: HOW WALL-BASED VERTICAL FARMING IS RESHAPING ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD
Rick Langille
Harvest Today

Rick Langille

Harvest Today

  • Exploring how wall-based farms bring food production directly into local communities and schools
  • Highlighting modular, scalable systems that overcome cost and infrastructure challenges
  • Presenting global case studies that showcase future-ready food systems for all environments
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON WALL-BASED FARMING AND LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS
15:00 - 15:30
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:30 - 15:55
INNOVATIVE OUTDOOR SEMI-TRANSPARENT RETRACTABLE AGRIVOLTAIC SHADE SCREEN: BRIDGING URBAN FARMING AND PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT GROWING
Grant Johnson
University of California

Grant Johnson

University of California

  • Utilizing adaptive technology for precise light management, optimizing energy generation and crop yield
  • Measuring electricity yield, plant physiology, crop production, and water savings under PV panels
  • Evaluating economic and environmental benefits for outdoor and container-grown plants
15:55 - 16:00
Q&A SESSION ON INNOVATIVE AGRIVOLTAIC SHADE SCREEN TECHNOLOGY
16:00 - 16:25
HOW ROUTINE LAB TESTING CAN EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR NUTRIENT SOLUTION IN RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS
Lauren Houston
Jack's Nutrients

Lauren Houston

Jack's Nutrients

  • Understanding the role of water quality in creating effective plant nutrition strategies
  • Measuring nutrient fluctuations to better track plant uptake and optimize system efficiency
  • Reducing reservoir changes by maintaining balanced solutions to save both time and cost
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A SESSION ON EXTENDING NUTRIENT SOLUTION LIFE IN RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS
16:30 - 16:55
EVALUATION OF HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILLESS GROWING MEDIA, WITH EMPHASIS ON COCONUT COIR
Bruno Quanquin
Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, Inc.

Bruno Quanquin

Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, Inc.

  • Exploring the rise of soilless media like coconut coir in controlled agriculture systems
  • Understanding hydrological behavior to optimize irrigation and fertigation strategies
  • Presenting data on water retention, conductivity, and other key hydraulic parameters
16:55 - 17:00
Q&A SESSION ON HYDROLOGICAL STUDY OF COCONUT COIR IN CEA SYSTEMS
17:00 - 18:00
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026
09:00 - 09:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
REIMAGINING AFRICAN CITIES THROUGH VERTICAL FARMING: SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR JOBS, FOOD, AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Aline Mugisho
CGIAR

Aline Mugisho

CGIAR

  • Exploring how vertical farming and CEA can strengthen food security and create youth employment opportunities across Africa
  • Showcasing real-world African and global examples of smart, AI, IoT & data-driven urban farming models that thrive in dense environments
  • Discussing enabling policies, financing strategies, and innovation ecosystems that support climate-smart urban agriculture
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON VERTICAL FARMING AND URBAN RESILIENCE IN AFRICA
10:10 - 10:35
INTEGRATING AGRIBUSINESS LEADERSHIP AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES FOR SCALABLE VERTICAL FARMING
Jeremiah Rogito
AGRA

Jeremiah Rogito

AGRA

  • Demonstrating how AI, IoT, and energy-efficient systems drive productivity and operational growth
  • Highlighting how youth leadership and innovation accelerate adoption of modern CEA models
  • Presenting field-based examples showing improved yields, efficiency, and market scalability
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON SMART TECHNOLOGIES AND LEADERSHIP IN VERTICAL FARMING
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:25
REIMAGINING URBAN LANDSCAPES: THE EMERGING ROLE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE IN THE U.S.
Sabine O'Hara
University of the District of Columbia

Sabine O'Hara

University of the District of Columbia

  • Exploring how urban agriculture and CEA are redefining land use, food security, and climate resilience in U.S. cities
  • Presenting evidence on the economic, environmental, and social impacts driving the sector’s national momentum
  • Highlighting policy shifts, financial frameworks, and innovations enabling equitable and scalable urban food systems
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON THE FUTURE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE IN U.S. CITIES
11:30 - 11:55
DEVELOPING SOFTWARE FOR QUANTIFYING RESOURCE INPUTS AND YIELD IN VERTICAL FARMING
Eshwar Ravishankar
CalPoly Pomona

Eshwar Ravishankar

CalPoly Pomona

  • Creating a user-friendly software tool to quantify resource inputs for high-value crops in various climates
  • Simulating internal microclimates and energy costs with a transient energy model
  • Integrating crop growth models to predict yield and resource uptake over multiple growth cycles
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON SOFTWARE FOR QUANTIFYING RESOURCE INPUTS IN VERTICAL FARMING
12:00 - 12:25
VERTICAL FARMING AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
Penelope Nagel
Soilytics, Inc.

Penelope Nagel

Soilytics, Inc.

  • Exploring how controlled environments and precision nutrient delivery enhance plant performance
  • Highlighting strategies that boost yields, improve nutrient density, and reduce environmental impacts
  • Showcasing practical applications and emerging technologies shaping climate-smart food systems
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN VERTICAL FARMING
12:30 - 12:45
FEEDBACK & RAFFLE DRAW
12:45 - 14:00
NETWORKING LUNCH

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