November 19 - 21, 2025 | Durham, NC

Pre-Conference Workshop

CEA in Action: Tools, Tech, and Techniques for Controlled Growing

Wednesday, November 19 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm
NC State Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) Building

Add the Pre-Conference Workshop for exclusive learning and networking—limited spaces available!
Includes the workshop and round-trip transportation between the hotel and NC State PSI.
Conference registration is required to purchase this add-on.

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Overview

This dynamic workshop offers a guided tour through interactive stations, each spotlighting a critical aspect of CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture). Participants will engage with cutting-edge technologies, practical demonstrations, and expert facilitators to deepen their understanding of light, irrigation, sensing, and plant physiology in CEA systems.

Who Should Attend

CEA growers, researchers, educators, and all ag professionals are encouraged to attend. Availability is limited to maintain engagement and focus.

Goals & Impact

1. Equip participants with practical knowledge of essential CEA technologies
2. Provide hands-on exposure to tools used in research and commercial settings
3. Foster active learning through short, focused, and interactive stations
4. Encourage dialogue between growers, scientists, and educators

AGENDA

CEA in Action: Tools, Tech, and Techniques for Controlled Growing

Wednesday, November 19 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm
NC State Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) Building

Interactive Stations

HPS vs. LED Lighting
Explore the differences between High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) and LED lighting in terms of temperature, spectral quality, energy efficiency, and plant growth response.

Plant-Specific and Affordable Irrigation Systems
Learn the fundamentals of various irrigation systems and see a demonstration of an affordable fertigation setup, including how to deliver nutrient recipes tailored to specific crops.

Essential and Affordable Sensors and Controllers for CEA
Discover the minimum sensor and data acquisition systems required for any Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) setup, along with cost-effective alternatives to help growers get started.

Advanced Plant Measurement Instruments and Their Significance
Observe cutting-edge research tools that non-invasively monitor plant physiological processes. Gain insight into what these measurements mean and how they inform plant health and productivity.

Impact of Light Spectra on Plants
See how different light spectra influence plant morphology, development, and yield. Understand why spectral composition matters in optimizing crop-specific lighting strategies.

Impact of Light Intensity on Plant Growth
Examine how light intensity affects biomass production and yield. Learn how to interpret plant responses and calculate when investments in supplemental lighting are economically viable.

Strawberry Propagation in CEA
Take an inside look at the latest research in strawberry propagation under controlled environments, including optimized climate strategies, current challenges, and emerging opportunities.

Demonstration of Light and Shade System Implementation (LASSI)
Experience the Light and Shade System Implementation (LASSI) in action-a dynamic setup designed to simulate and manage variable shading conditions in CEA (GLASE)

Workshop Experts

Workshop Leader