JOIN THE PANEL 3 DISCUSSION
"Light & Climate Management - Glazing, Lighting, Shading for Leafy Greens"
Friday, February 27th from 3:30 - 4:15 PM (US Eastern Time)
- Moderator: Dr. Laura Bautista Jalon (Wageningen University & Research)
- Panelists: Amos Bassi (Signify), Dominick DiMucci (Haven Greens), Dr. Erik Runkle (Michigan State University), Paul Arena (Svensson), Sarah Despres (Rijk Zwaan) and Vic Mirabella (Priva)
Potential Discussion Questions
- How do we approach cultivation when it comes to light and climate management? Are we still managing climate around the greenhouse or are we ready to manage it around the plant?
- What about energy efficiency? Can we integrate strategies that push the crop toward its boundaries with energy efficiency?
- If maximizing yield is the objective, how do we design the climate to push the plants as much as possible?
- Perspectives on: environmental conditions (light, temperature, humidity, airflow), which variable is leading (e.g. light followed by climate?), what technical systems are needed, how do we adjust strategies for different regions and climate conditions in North America (northern vs southern climates, winter vs summer), are there differences between product types or varieties, etc.
- Static vs. dynamic environmental conditions: lighting, climate. Latest research shows advantages in yield and product quality when using more dynamic lighting and climate strategies.
- What do we know so far? Is higher light intensity always better? Why do we want more spectrum control?
- What knowledge has been implemented in commercial production? What are the real experiences from growers and crop specialists?
- What are the current gaps/limitations for implementation at commercial scale?
- What are the boundaries when pushing the crop? If we aim to maximize yields or move toward more dynamic environments: are we technically ready, physiologically limited or knowledge limited?
- Are there risks for the crop?
- Do we have the technical systems needed available? Mechanical cooling, airflow, dehumidification, sensors
- Do we have the knowledge needed?
- Plant Empowerment. Plant Empowerment has been widely adopted, and much of the knowledge was developed in the Dutch greenhouse context.
- Can this “growing philosophy” be adapted to different climate conditions in North America? How can we use it?
- Future directions. We see a clear tendency toward:
- Pushing crops closer to the physiological boundaries
- More dynamic cultivation strategies
- Increasing data availability
- Higher investment costs and new technologies
- Yet still barriers for commercial implementation of R&D knowledge What is currently in the development pipeline from each of your perspectives?
- What can help to accelerate these developments for implementation?
Meet the Panelists
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Amos Bassi |
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Dominick DiMucci |
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Dominick DiMucci is a horticulturalist passionate about controlled environment agriculture, specializing in automated mobile gulley systems for leafy green production. He began working in the horticulture industry in 2018 and holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Horticulture from Colorado State University. |
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Dr. Erik Runkle |
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Dr. Erik Runkle is a professor and extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University. Since Erik joined the faculty in 2001, he and his graduate research team have developed research-based information on the effects of light, temperature, and other environmental parameters to control the growth, quality, and development of floriculture crops and leafy green vegetables. He also investigates the opportunities and challenges of new greenhouse technologies, such as LEDs, spectral-shifting films, and transparent photovoltaics. Erik is a partner of the Floriculture Research Alliance and director of OptimIA, which focuses on improving the profitability and sustainability of indoor leafy-greens production. |
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Paul Arena |
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Paul Arena joined Svensson in 2022 as a Greenhouse Climate Consultant, working with growers across North America to tackle greenhouse climate challenges. He specializes in optimizing screening and air movement in Controlled Environment Agriculture to create sustainable and efficient growing conditions. Before Svensson, Paul was a grower at Metrolina Greenhouse, one of the Southeast's largest flower producers, where he developed his expertise in cultivating vibrant potplants and ornamentals. Having worked directly with crops, he brings specialized skills in plant care, environmental optimization, and sustainable growing practices. |
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Sarah Despres |
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Sarah Despres joined Rijk Zwaan in Netherlands in 2020 before moving to her actual position within Rijk Zwaan Canada in 2022. As a Product Development Specialist, she is working closely with growers across Canada and the Eastern United States to evaluate and position lettuce, and previously cucumber varieties, for commercial success. With a background in management and communication, she brings a grower focused mindset to product development, combining technical analysis with strong relationships in the greenhouse. Passionate about lettuce production and controlled environment systems, she is particularly interested in how genetics, climate management, and grower practices interact to optimize crop performance. Sarah is known for her hands on trial involvement, detailed follow-ups, and ability to translate complex technical information into practical solutions that support growers’ decision-making. |
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Vic Mirabella |
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Vic Mirabella is an experienced Account Manager and Technical Sales Support specialist at Priva, bringing over 30 years of expertise in the horticulture industry. For the past 22 years with Priva, Vic has worked with growers and industry partners to deliver innovative automation and climate control solutions tailored to their unique operations. Prior to joining Priva, Vic spent 8 years as an irrigation designer, developing efficient water management systems that optimized performance and sustainability. With a background in Electrical Engineering Technology, he combines strong technical knowledge with practical field experience to recommend solutions that align precisely with each customer’s application and installation requirements. Vic is known for his hands-on approach, deep industry insight, and commitment to helping customers achieve long-term success through smart, reliable technology solutions. |
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Hosted by The Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) in partnership with Wageningen University & Research
Organizing Members: Chieri Kubota, Laura Bautista Jalon and Carly Becker
Please contact Carly Becker (becker.421@osu.edu) with any questions
