2025 OHCEAC Annual Conference

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REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

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

In-Person Registration: $210   Online Registration $130

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


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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

Photo of Paul Fisher

Dr. Paul Fisher
University of Florida

“Production of High-Quality Plugs and Rooted Cuttings in Floriculture”

   
Photo of Rhoda deJonge

Dr. Rhoda deJonge
Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, Canada

“Production of High-Quality Forestry/Landscape Tree Seedlings – Designing Root Architecture and Rootzone Environment”

   
Photo of Matt Kleinhenz

Dr. Matt Kleinhenz
The Ohio State University

"Production and Use of High-Quality Vegetable Seedlings and Grafting for High Tunnels and Open Fields”

   
Photo of Ricardo Hernandez

Dr. Ricardo Hernández
North Carolina State University

“Optimized High-Tech Controlled Environment Agriculture Propagation Strategies for Affordable, High-Quality Young Plants”

   
Photo of Nadia Sabeh

Dr. Nadia Sabeh
Dr. Greenhouse, Inc.

“Designing Systems and HVAC for High-Quality Transplant Production Facilities"

   

OHCEAC Tentative Conference Schedule at a Glance
Subject to change

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

Photo of Peter Ling Photo of Celina Gomez Photo of Kyle Freedman Photo of Cristian Collado Photo of Xiaonan Shi

Dr. Peter Ling
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

Become a sponsor

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QUESTIONS ABOUT SPONSORSHIP? 

If you have questions about sponsoring OHCEAC's conference, please contact OHCEAC Program Coordinator Carly Becker (becker.421@osu.edu).


Accomodation Recommendations


With Media Partner: CEAg World

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CEARC in Daylight
Join us on July 16th following Cultivate in-person in Columbus, OH or online via Zoom.
More information to follow!

Sign Up for More Conference Info


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

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