NL: Online training to delve into the world of leafy greens

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for leafy greens is still a relatively young market worldwide. Growers, investors, and suppliers often face the same obstacle: limited access to reliable knowledge. The challenges extend from understanding new technologies and cultivation strategies to assessing equipment, operations, and financial returns.

In recent years, Agranom and Agritecture have encountered recurring questions from industry stakeholders during projects, trainings, and consulting engagements. Stakeholders frequently ask about the most effective cultivation strategies for leafy greens in CEA, how equipment and operations should be structured, what realistic ROI expectations look like across different markets, and how costly mistakes can be avoided during planning and execution.

To respond to these needs, Agranom and Agritecture have developed an interactive online training program. The training is intended to provide practical knowledge and hands-on insights, equipping growers, entrepreneurs, investors, and suppliers with tools to establish effective and future-ready CEA leafy greens facilities.

The program has been designed for a wide range of participants. Existing growers can use it to refine practices and optimize production. New investors and entrepreneurs exploring the leafy greens market can gain the knowledge necessary to plan their first facility. Suppliers and technology providers can develop a clearer understanding of customer needs and the realities of CEA operations. Industry stakeholders who want to strengthen their technical knowledge will also find value, particularly for team development and product design. Regardless of whether participants are at the beginning of their CEA journey or already managing a facility, the training offers structured lessons and practical examples to help reduce errors and support long-term outcomes.

The training consists of four sessions, each lasting two and a half hours and including a short break and a dedicated question-and-answer period. Sessions are scheduled for 26 November, 3 December, 10 December, and 17 December, all from 17:00 to 19:30 CET.

The first session provides an introduction to hydroponic leafy greens, covering plant physiology, natural processes, hydroponic systems, and water management. The second session examines indoor cultivation technicals and equipment, including greenhouse and indoor facility systems, design principles, and methods for aligning technology with crop requirements. The third session focuses on operations and tasks for cultivation success, emphasizing daily practices, cleaning and disinfection strategies, and other approaches essential for stable production. The final session addresses business economics, with attention to financial, legal, and design considerations. Topics include Capex, Opex, ROI calculations, market research, and competition analysis. Participants will also receive a twelve-month license to use Agritecture Designer, a commercial farm-planning software tool.

The course will be delivered by Denis Laci, Founder and Crop Specialist at Agranom, and Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO of Agritecture. Laci brings extensive hands-on experience leading CEA leafy greens projects across Europe and beyond. Gordon-Smith contributes global consulting expertise in urban and controlled environment agriculture, along with academic insight from his role as a lecturer at Columbia University on smart agriculture and climate change. Together, the instructors combine technical, operational, and strategic perspectives to provide participants with a comprehensive learning experience.

Unlike many online courses, this program is interactive and limited in size. To maximize engagement and learning, we have set a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 10 participants per training cycle. This ensures that every participant has space to ask questions, interact directly with the instructors, and receive tailored advice.

Seats are expected to fill quickly due to the limited group size, so we encourage early registration.

If you wish to register for the training, you can do so at the link here.