With Indoor Ag-Con now just two weeks’ away, we thought it was a good time to whet your appetite for our upcoming discussion, with a list of five topics we’re sure to be covering:
1. When will growing indoors cost the same as field farming?
One of the most enduring criticisms of indoor agriculture is that it’s more expensive than field-based alternatives. Many of our sponsors and speakers are working towards changing this, whether it’s by growing off-season produce or cultivating niche specialty crops, and we’ll tackle the topic head-on in a panel on April 1.
2. What new products will make our farming life easier?
Two of our exhibitors – Indoor Harvest, Indoor Farms of America – are launching new aeroponic products at Indoor Ag-Con, and we’re also seeing a trend towards indoor-specific hardware and consumables. For instance, sponsor and speaker CropKing recently introduced Hydro-Gro Leafy, a leafy-green specific fertilizer.
3. Given the newfound venture capital interest in the space, what should investors be looking for in indoor agriculture?
Market research group Cleantech Group recently declared that more than 10% of agtech investing was in indoor cultivation systems last year, and we’ve seen announcements of big fundraises since then. Notably, Australia’s Sundrop Farms received investment from private equity group KKR and Indoor Ag-Con speaker Aerofarms announced that it had raised $30mn from a group that includes Goldman Sachs and Prudential to build the world’s largest vertical farm in New Jersey. Using aeroponic technology, the Company says it will be 75x more productive than a field farm, and repurposes an abandoned steel factory.
4. How can chefs influence what farmers grow?
Our chef panel includes chefs whose experience ranges from opening Las Vegas casino restaurants to managing multi-restaurant businesses, picking up James Beard award nominations along the way. Chef Darren Brown consults to sponsor and speaker Village Farms and advised on our Indoor Ag-Con menu, which will feature greenhouse grown Village Farms produce.
5. How can we change City ordinances and regulations to make urban farming easier and set up farms faster?
With city ordinances changing across the country, and with established examples in areas such as Chicago and Seattle, an improving regulatory environment for vertical farms in urban areas is sure to be a hot topic. Speakers such as Matt Liotta of drinks party co-host PodPonics, for instance, are eager to share their experiences in overcoming these challenges.
For more information
Indoor Ag-Con
T: 775.623.7116
