The Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC), in partnership with the Controlled Environment Ag Coalition at NCSU, hosted its 4th Annual CEA Conference: “Advancement of High-Quality Transplant Production Technologies under Controlled Environment" on July 16, 2025. This year's conference focused on transplant production technologies and their crucial role in enhancing sustainability and productivity across various crop sectors.
The conference was attended by 95 in-person participants and 48 online participants, including propagators, greenhouse/nursery growers, crop producers, technology providers, faculty, researchers, extension educators and students. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it a success!
A Quick Look at the OHCEAC Conference!
Keynote Speakers
The conference began with five keynote speaker presentations from highly qualified speakers in various areas of controlled environment agriculture: Dr. Paul Fisher (University of Florida), Dr. Rhoda deJonge (Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, Canada), Dr. Matt Kleinhenz (The Ohio State University), Dr. Nadia Sabeh (Dr. Greenhouse, Inc.) and Dr. Ricardo Hernández (North Carolina State University).
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Presentation Topics:
- Dr. Paul Fisher (University of Florida): “Production of High-Quality Plugs and Rooted Cuttings in Floriculture”
- Dr. Rhoda deJonge (Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, Canada): “Production of High-Quality Forestry/Landscape Tree Seedlings: Designing Root Architecture and Rootzone Environment”
- Dr. Matt Kleinhenz (The Ohio State University): "Production and Use of High-Quality Vegetable Seedlings and Grafting for High Tunnels and Open Fields”
- Dr. Nadia Sabeh (Dr. Greenhouse, Inc.): “Optimized High-Tech Controlled Environment Agriculture Propagation Strategies for Affordable, High-Quality Young Plants”
- Dr. Ricardo Hernández (North Carolina State University): “Designing Systems and HVAC for High-Quality Transplant Production Facilities"
Invited Research Presentations
The OHCEAC conference afternoon session featured six invited research presentations by academic and industry-based controlled environment research groups: Dr. Peter Ling (The Ohio State University), Dr. Celina Gomez (Purdue University), Dr. Kyle Freedman (Jiffy Group), Dr. Cristian Collado (North Carolina State University), Dr. Xiaonan Shi (North Carolina State University) and Dr. Jennifer Boldt (USDA-ARS).
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Presentation Topics:
- Dr. Peter Ling (The Ohio State University): "Automated Non-contact Disease Detection of Young Tomato Seedlings Using Machine Learning Processed Spectral Data"
- Dr. Celina Gomez (Purdue University): "Propagating Plants in Controlled Environments: Keys to Successful Light Management"
- Dr. Kyle Freedman (Jiffy Group): "Growing More with Less: An Alternative Substrate Built for CEA"
- Dr. Cristian Collado (North Carolina State University): "Optimizing Cannabis Propagation: From Stock Plants to Rooted Cuttings"
- Dr. Xiaonan Shi (North Carolina State University): "Using Controlled Environments to Optimize Tissue Culture of Specialty Crops"
- Dr. Jennifer Boldt (USDA-ARS): "Improving the Stress Tolerance of Young Plants with Supplemental Silicon"
Industry Discussion Panel
The conference ended with an industry discussion panel with panelists: Patricia Caldwell (Tri-Hishtil, LLC), Dr. Kyle Freedman (Jiffy Group), Eric Kietzer (Kietzer Farms), Erin Yafuso (Smithers-Oasis) and Melanie Yelton (Grow Big).
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Networking social
The day wrapped up with a tour of the CEARC building and a networking social for in-person participants sponsored by Conviron Argus Controls, Fertil USA, Hort Americas, Lallemand Plant Care, LLK Greenhouse Solutions, Philips LED Lighting and Viscon Group.
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