SAVE THE DATE
CEA Leafy Greens Network Event
February 27, 2026 | In-Person & Online
Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (CEARC)
The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH, USA
In-Person: $240 | Online: $140
 |
 |
 |
||
The 2nd Annual CEA Leafy Greens Network Event will bring together industry professionals, growers, entrepreneurs, and research institutions to exchange insights and explore the future of leafy greens production. This exclusive, full-day event (2/27/26) highlights cutting-edge practices in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) for crops like lettuce and spinach and provides a dedicated space for collaboration and community across the CEA industry.
Hosted by The Ohio State University Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) in partnership with Wageningen University and Research, the event spotlights greenhouse hydroponic production for leafy crops, offering invaluable knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities.
Stay tuned—additional speakers and panelists will be announced soon!
Hosted by
|
|
|
Keynote Speakers
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Dr. Erik Runkle Michigan State University |
Dr. Soledad Benitez Ponce The Ohio State University |
Dr. Anna Testen USDA-ARS |
Dr. Laura Bautista Jalon Wageningen University & Research |
 |
 |
 |
||
| Dr. Ricardo Hernández Rooted-in-tech |
Paul Brentlinger CropKing Inc. |
Taylor Smith Lubing USA |
||
Featuring Panelists
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
| Austin Smith Grodan |
Dr. Vijay Rapaka Smithers-Oasis |
Dr. Kyle Freedman Jiffy Group |
Jack Farmer |
Frans-Peter Dechering Corvus Drones |
||||
 |
|
|
 |
 |
||||
| Dominick DiMucci Haven Greens |
Paul Arena |
Dr. Erik Runkle Michigan State University |
Dr. Paul Rutten Concert Bio |
Brian Stancil Leaficient |
||||
tentative Schedule at a Glance (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH | 8:30 - 6:00 PM
ALL TIMES ARE IN EASTERN US TIME (ET)
- Welcome and Introductions: 8:30 - 8:50 AM
- Session 1: Keynote Presentations & Discussion on R&D in Academia: 8:50 - 11:10 AM
- Session 2: Keynote Presentations & Discussion on Technologies in Industries: 11:10 - 12:20 PM
- Networking Lunch (Provided for In-Person Attendees): 12:20 - 1:20 PM
- Sponsor Presentations: 1:20 - 2:00 PM
- Panel Discussions: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Event Closing: 4:00 - 4:05 PM
- CEARC Tours (In-Person Activity): 4:05 - 4:30 PM
- Networking Social (In-Person Activity): 4:30 - 6:00 PM
Become a sponsor
take a look at last year's event!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Accomodation Recommendations
There are many hotels in the Columbus area to choose from but these hotels are only a short drive from the conference at the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (2515 Carmack Rd, Columbus, OH 43221).
- Blackwell Hotel (1.6 Miles Away - 5 Minute Drive): 2110 Tuttle Park Place Columbus, OH 43210
- Hampton Inn & Suites (2.2 Miles Away - 6 Minute Drive): 3160 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43202
- Hilton Garden Inn (2.2 Miles Away - 5 Minute Drive): 3232 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43202
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites (2.0 Miles Away - 5 Minute Drive): 3045 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43202
- Homewood Suites (1.1 Miles Away - 4 Minute Drive): 1576 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221)
- Springhill Suites (2.0 Miles Away - 6 Minute Drive): 1421 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43212
- Staybridge Suites Columbus (2.1 Miles - 5 Minute Drive): 3125 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43202
There are many nearby restaurants, shops and activities around Columbus for you to experience during your stay. You can also search Experience Columbus' website for recommendations.
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