Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center Announces 5th annual controlled environment conference

The Dallas Center is proud to announce the 5th annual controlled environment conference to be held on December 7 followed by a tour of Eden Green Technology, the high-tech vertical hydroponic systems in greenhouses in Cleburne, TX on December 8. We are grateful to Eden Green Technology who is graciously hosting a tour of their facilities.

We have assembled experts in controlled environment horticulture from The University of Arizona, Michigan State University, and Arizona State University, to present their latest research and share their expertise in their field.

We will also present our latest research from Dallas and Uvalde Centers.  Our latest faculty additions Dr. Kheirodin, entomologist, and Dr. Bhattarai, plant breeder, will introduce their new programs in controlled environment horticulture (CEH).

We invite you to attend our annual CEH conference and hope we can count on your continued support.

We strive to keep our registration fees reasonable. In-person registration is $150. This year, the conference includes a bus ride to Cleburne, TX to tour Eden Green greenhouses. Please note that the free bus ride has a 40-passenger capacity and seat reservation is first-come first-served. The registration fee also includes catered lunch and dinner.

Virtual attendance is again available this year and registration fee is reduced to $100.

You can register at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/hort-ev-030

Additional information is found at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/website/62425/

Please reach out to Dr. Genhua Niu (gniu@ag.tamu.edu) or I if you have any questions.

AGENDA

Thursday December 7, 2023

8:00 – 8:30 am Onsite Registration; Coffee, Donuts

8:30 – 8:45 am Welcome, Introductory remarks. Dr. Joe Masabni, Dallas Center

8:45 – 9:00 am Center Vision, and Research Update. Dr. Daniel Leskovar, Dallas Center/Uvalde Center

9:00 – 9:20 am Spinach hydroponics in deep water culture hydroponic system. Dr. Qianwen Zhang, Dallas Center

9:20 – 9:40 am Light & temperature control strategies to increase yield and quality for indoor farming. Mr. Sangjun Jeong, Dallas Center

9:40 – 10:00 am Solving food safety in CEH with superhydrophobic coatings. Dr. Joe Masabni, Dallas Center

10:00-10:30 Planning Production Efficiency, Dr. Simone Valle de Souza, Michigan State University

10:30 –11:00 am Break and Exhibitor Visit

11:00 – 11:30 am CEA Labor Requirements, Dr. Simone Valle de Souza, Michigan State University

11:30 – 12:00 pm Advancement of plant sensing technology for sustainable crop production under controlled environment. Dr. Murat Kacira, University of Arizona

12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch (provided)

1:00 – 1:30 pm Light and Nutrient Management for Indoor Strawberries, Dr. Yujin Park, Arizona State University

1:30 – 1:50 pm Supplemental silicon for hydroponic lettuce production: An underutilized nutrient. Dr. Seunghyun Choi, Uvalde Center 

1:50 – 2:10 pm Lettuce cultivar evaluation for sustainable hydroponic production in greenhouse and indoor farming. Dr. Desire Djidonou, Texas A&M Commerce

2:10 – 2:30 pm Automation & AI in Controlled Environment. Dr. Azlan Zahid, Dallas Center

2:30 – 2:40 pm Intelligent Algorithms – Hoogendoorn USA

2:40 – 2:50 pm CEA Entomology New Program; Dr. Arash Kheirodin, Dallas Center

2:50 – 3:00 pm CEA Breeding New Program; Dr. Krishna Bhattarai, Dallas Center 

3:00 – 3:30 pm Break and Exhibitor Visit

3:30 – 4:20 pm Industry introduction/panel discussion; moderated by Mr. Chris Higgins, Hort Americas

4:30 – 5:30 pm Tour of Dallas Center CHE facilities

6 pm Reception / dinner (provided)

Friday December 8, 2023

8:00 – 8:30 am Load Bus

8:30 am Leave for Eden Green Technology in Cleburne, TX

10:00 – 11:00 am Tour of Eden Green Technology Greenhouses – Mr. Aaron Fields

11:00 am Return to Dallas Center

Noon Program ends

Note: for more information, please contact: Dr. Joe Masabni at jmasabni@ag.tamu.edu