OHCEAC's 4th Annual CEA Conference:
“Advancement of High Quality Transplant Production Technologies under Controlled Environment”
July 16, 2025 | In-Person & Online
Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (CEARC)
The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH, USA
Registration has Closed!
Conference Schedule
If you experience any issues with Ohio State University's new registration site, please contact Carly Becker (becker.421@osu.edu) for assistance.
REGISTRATION OVERVIEW PDF
What’s This Year’s Conference All About?
Explore the technologies transforming
transplant production in CEA
The OHCEAC Annual CEA Conference brings together stakeholders each year to explore key topics in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). In 2025, our focus will be on transplant production technologies, recognizing their crucial role in enhancing sustainability and productivity across various crop sectors, including flowering crops, food crops, and landscape/forestry trees.
In partnership with the NC State University CEA-Coalition, this year’s conference will highlight how various technologies contribute to transplant production and will foster valuable cross-sector collaboration in plant production.
Relevant topics are, for example, 1) Substrate alternatives, 2) Root-pathogen-substrate interactions, 3) Symbiotic and beneficial microbes, 4) Vegetable grafting, 5) Stand establishment, 6) Seed technologies, and 7) Automation.
Keynote Speakers
 |
Dr. Paul Fisher “Production of High-Quality Plugs and Rooted Cuttings in Floriculture” |
 |
Dr. Rhoda deJonge “Production of High-Quality Forestry/Landscape Tree Seedlings: Designing Root Architecture and Rootzone Environment” |
 |
Dr. Matt Kleinhenz "Production and Use of High-Quality Vegetable Seedlings and Grafting for High Tunnels and Open Fields” |
 |
Dr. Ricardo Hernández “Optimized High-Tech Controlled Environment Agriculture Propagation Strategies for Affordable, High-Quality Young Plants” |
 |
Dr. Nadia Sabeh “Designing Systems and HVAC for High-Quality Transplant Production Facilities" |
OHCEAC Conference Schedule at a Glance
Conference Schedule
Wednesday, July 16th
- OHCEAC Conference (8:30 AM – 6:30 PM)
- Welcome and Introductions – 8:30 - 8:45 AM
- Keynote Presentations and Discussion – 8:45 - 12:00 PM
- Lunch (Provided for In-Person Attendees) – 12:00 - 12:45 PM
- Sponsor Presentations – 12:45 - 1:15 PM
- Invited Research Presentations and Discussion – 1:15 - 2:45 PM
- Industry Discussion Panel – 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- Conference Conclusion – 4:00 - 4:05 PM
- CEARC Tours (In-Person Activity) – 4:05 -5:00 PM
- Networking Social (In-Person Activity) – 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Invited research presenters
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Dr. Celina Gomez Purdue University |
Dr. Kyle Freedman Jiffy Group |
Dr. Cristian Collado North Carolina State University |
Dr. Xiaonan Shi North Carolina State University |
Panelists
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
|
Eric Kietzer Kietzer Farms |
Dr. Erin Yafuso Smithers-Oasis |
Dr. Melanie Yelton Grow Big |
Thanks to our sponsors
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
|
With Media Partner: CEAg World
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's website for recommendations.
Join us on July 16th following Cultivate in-person in Columbus, OH or online via Zoom.
Hosted by the Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) in partnership with the NCSU-CEA-Coalition
2025 Scientific Committee Members: Peter Ling, Garrett Owen and Ricardo Hernandez
2025 Organizing Members: Chieri Kubota and Carly Becker
Please contact Carly Becker (becker.421@osu.edu) with any questions