Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

Vertical farming is a revolutionary approach to produce production leveraging controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and systems in innovative ways. It facilitates production of huge quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food without relying on favorable weather, high water usage, skilled labor, and high soil fertility. This ensures reliable yield and consistency in crop production year-round with climate control, and no effects of external environment factors such as diseases, pests, or predator attacks.Join Harry Duran, Host of the Apple-recommended Podcast Junkies and Founder of FullCast, as he explores the world of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). Tune in every week for fascinating conversations with CEOs, Founders and luminaries from the exciting and fast-growing world of Vertical Farming.If you've been interested in the world of Indoor AgTech and want to hear inspiring stories from the innovators on the frontlines of this fast-moving industry, then

Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA is a science podcast hosted by Harry Duran, with 187 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Harry Duran hosts Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA, a science show with 187 episodes published.

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  Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

  182: The Importance of Smart Controls in Transforming Greenhouse Operations

  Jul 31, 202653 min

  Ever wondered if your greenhouse control system is actually helping—or if it’s leaving you in the dark about your energy bills? I’ve been there, and that’s exactly what we dig into in this episode. Joining me are Neda, CEO and co-founder of Microclimates, and Gretchen, Executive Director at the Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering Consortium at Cornell, whose combined expertise covers everything from cutting-edge environmental controls to energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture. Neda has an extensive background in developing technologies that empower growers with actionable data, while Gretchen brings years of research experience with leading universities and utility-backed initiatives in optimizing greenhouse lighting and automation. This episode unpacks the real-world findings from the CalNEX Project—a first-of-its-kind scientific study focused on the impact of smart environmental monitoring and controls in California greenhouses. We compare “smart” and “smarter” systems, revealing surprising industry gaps in environmental data collection, misunderstood overhead costs, and how simple steps can lead to significant energy savings and business sustainability. Beyond the results, we chat about practical steps for adopting automation without ripping out your current systems, new open-platform sensor trends, the reality (and future) of AI in controlled ag, and why a phased, data-driven approach will be key for small and large growers alike. If you’re daunted by all the talk of sensors, integration, or AI, consider this the guide to understanding what actually matters—and what you can do today. Curious if you’re missing an easy win in your farm’s energy management, or want a reality check on all the AI hype? Tune in now and turn your environmental data into your biggest asset! Thanks to Our Sponsors CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/ Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/ Key Takeaways 00:00 Discussing the CalNEX Project findings 03:17 Smart Controls Project achievements 07:52 Improving greenhouse energy efficiency 10:34 Energy consumption misconceptions 12:57 Diverse systems in cannabis farming 19:10 Automating greenhouse light management 22:22 Operational impacts in construction projects 25:40 Consulting on greenhouse tech needs 27:50 Discussing phased approach for innovations 29:57 Phased approach to AI implementation 35:51 Parental influence on IT security 37:02 Adopting AI and Automation Tools 41:17 Starting with basic crop monitoring 43:32 Indoor farming control techniques 46:39 Year of retrofits and opportunities 49:46 Appreciating industry partnerships Tweetable Quotes "Our job is to complement what's already there. The projects Gretchen mentioned, every site had something different… Our job wasn't to go in and just say, rip everything out for this control study and start over because we want to collect the data. It was really to take a look at what do you currently have, how can we complement that with adding more environmental insight, environmental visibility to that operation, and is there a way that we can integrate what you currently have?" "I'd say the biggest surprise and biggest lesson was that they didn't have enough environmental visibility. A lot of these operations had maybe one temperature humidity sensor hanging in the middle of the room representing the entire greenhouse or a section of the greenhouse. Your control system is only as good as the information it's taking in, like the input, right?" "If you don't have the thousands of data points, if you can't summarize the trends, if you can't make any recommendations and alerts, and you can't generate those reports based on the thousand data points, how is this AI going to actually get to know you?... First of all, we have to step back and say, are operators actually collecting data? We already said early on in this conversation they are, but they don't have enough environmental visibility, which means they actually are not collecting enough data." Resources Mentioned Website - www.microclimates.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Microclimates-Inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/microclimates Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/microclimates.inc LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/microclimates LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gschimelpfenig/ Resource Innovation Institute - https://resourceinnovation.org/ Microclimates - https://microclimates.com/ Priva Control Systems - https://www.priva.com/ Ritter Greenhouse Automation - https://rittergreenhouse.com/ Connect With Us VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/ VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod Subscribe to our newsletters! AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/ Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/ ️️️ Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/ Mentioned in this episode: 2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews 2025 Precision Ag Report

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  Episode #181

  181: Why Mastering Vapor Pressure Control Holds the Key to Exceptional Crop Quality with David Sandelman

  May 8, 202644 minS12

  Ever wonder why your plants aren’t thriving—or why your post-harvest yields and terpene profiles just don’t stack up? I’ve been there, and this episode is your shortcut out of the guesswork. This week, I’m joined by David Sandelman, CTO of Cannatrol, inventor, and expert in environmental controls with decades of pioneering innovation under his belt. From the origins of digital thermostats to revolutionizing post-harvest processing in cheese, charcuterie, and cannabis, David Sandelman brings deep scientific insight and a passion for precision. We dive into the real science behind environmental control—why traditional approaches to humidity just don’t cut it, and how understanding vapor pressure is the key to stable, high-quality crops across cheese, cannabis, and even hops. David Sandelman explains, in plain terms, how “water activity” trumps “percent moisture” for true shelf stability and consistent results. You’ll also hear about the future of indoor farming, from AI-optimized grow rooms to what legacy cultivators can learn from the world of cheese and charcuterie. Plus, we dig into practical applications—whether you’re a large-scale producer or a passionate home grower—along with candid insights from David Sandelman’s journey in the industry. Ready to get clarity and control over your crops while boosting quality and yield? Hit play and discover the system that’s changing the game for post-harvest and indoor growers everywhere. Thanks to Our Sponsors CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/ Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/ Key Takeaways 00:00 From Vermont Restaurants to Post-Harvest Technology 00:06:10 The Science of Controls and Humidity Explained 00:12:01 Cannabis Flower, Water Activity, and Drying Innovation 00:18:00 Trichomes, Terpenes, and Preserving Quality 00:23:32 Consistency, Yield, and the Future of Quality Cannabis 00:29:32 Expanding Applications: Hops, Tea, and Industry Insights 00:34:35 Embracing Change and Applying Proven Science Tweetable Quotes "That's when we built a prototype and we purchased a wine cooler and stripped it out, just used the insulated box with the door and put a couple of thousand dollars worth of controls on it, gave it to a grower and said, put some flour in there and tell us what happens. Is it going to destroy it? Does nothing? And sure enough, two weeks later, he's like, I don't know what this box is, but this is some of the finest flower I've ever produced. He's, like, hanging on to it. I'm not going to give it back. And that's when we knew we were onto something." "We are a process system that's designed for the process of getting your proper product to the right water activity for shelf stability versus applying conventional comfort cooling equipment to accomplish it." "We like to say it's sous vide for weed." Resources Mentioned Website - https://cannatrols.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sandelman-74323216/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@cannatrolsolutions Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cannatrol/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cannatrol/ Twitter - https://x.com/Cannatrols Connect With Us VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/ VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod Subscribe to our newsletters! AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/ Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/ 🎙️🎙️🎙️ Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/ Mentioned in this episode: 2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews 2025 Precision Ag Report 2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews 2025 Precision Ag Report

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  Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

  Precision Agriculture Report 2025: Surprising Patent & Funding Trends - AgTech Digest

  Apr 20, 202638 min

  📺 Watch on YouTube and Spotify iGrow News - 2025 Precision Ag Intelligence Report - https://igrownews.com/precision Episode Description What shook up the world of precision agriculture in 2025? In this exclusive deep dive, Harry Duran sits down with Sepehr Achard, fellow co-founder of iGrow News, to explore the striking trends and surprising signals from the just-released 2025 Precision Ag Intelligence Report. From the surging impact of AI on product development—and the sudden vulnerability of software-only companies—to unexpected M&A moves like food giants buying robotics startups and why a drop in patent filings could predict a seismic shift, this episode connects the industry’s hidden dots. Discover why $600 million in funding might no longer guarantee success, the mysterious surge of patents out of China (but almost none granted), and which countries are quietly emerging as ag innovation hubs. The guests grapple with the future of metrics like "compute cost per acre," the looming prospect of AI-taxation, and whether distribution—rather than technology—could become the true differentiator. And in a world rocked by global tensions, could fertilizer shocks and input price spikes trigger the next wave of ag innovation—or stall it in its tracks? Don't miss this detailed yet fast-paced conversation pulling back the curtain on where precision ag is heading next. Ready for the data points no newswire is covering? Press play. 5 Key Takeaways In a rapidly evolving AgTech landscape, strategic awareness and rapid adaptation are critical for survival and growth. Take charge of your future with these decisive actions: Monitor patent activity and social signals of key industry players to anticipate strategic moves and market shifts. Diversify beyond pure software solutions—build or partner for hardware, own unique data, and prioritize distribution networks for defensible growth. Prepare for increased M&A activity by strengthening your customer base, technology differentiation, and profitability to become acquisition-ready. Rethink KPIs for the AI era by tracking new metrics like compute cost per acre and token usage to measure operational efficiency. Keep a pulse on global events, such as geopolitical conflict and supply chain volatility, to anticipate their cascading impact on AgTech investments and strategic decisions. Act now—evaluate your business model, data, and partnerships with these insights to stay ahead in precision agriculture. Memorable Quotes "It's not a differentiator anymore to have fancy technology or AI you can create; the real differentiators are controlling the data, owning the hardware, and—most importantly—having the distribution." "The cost of developing new products is dramatically decreasing, but the cost of introducing these products to market is increasing; developing technology alone doesn't mean much anymore because it can be replicated quickly and cheaply." "China has a patent creation engine driven by universities, but once you look at actual granted patents and real technology, there are overlooked hubs like Korea, Japan, India, Israel, the Netherlands, and the U.S. producing innovations that are truly patentable and impactful." Resources Mentioned Taylor Farms - https://www.taylorfarms.com/ FarmWise (Autonomous Weeding Business) - https://www.farmwise.io/ Climate Corporation - https://climate.com/ John Deere - https://www.deere.com/ Massey Ferguson - https://www.masseyferguson.com/ CNH Industrial - https://www.cnh.com/ Starlink (integrated by CNH Industrial) - https://www.starlink.com/ Arable - https://www.arable.com/ Google Cloud - https://cloud.google.com/ Amazon Web Services (AWS) - https://aws.amazon.com/ Yamaha Agriculture - https://global.yamaha-motor.com/business/precision_ag/ Caterpillar - https://www.caterpillar.com/ Monarch Tractor - https://monarchtractor.com/ Connect with Us! Be sure go subscribe to our other shows: Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/ Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/ Presented by iGrowNews.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews 🎙️🎙️🎙️ Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

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  Episode #180

  180: Why Focusing on Farming Holds the Key to Real Success in Vertical Agriculture

  Mar 20, 202642 minS12

  Ever wonder if vertical farming is more about mastering plant care than chasing the latest tech trend? I do—and in this episode, you'll find out why that's the reality. Join me as I sit down with Andrew Volpetti, Business Development Director for North America at Red Horticulture, whose deep background in horticulture, hydroponics, and business development has positioned him at the forefront of controlled environment agriculture innovation. With an impressive career spanning over 15 years—including leadership in lighting solutions and a passion for solving agricultural challenges—Andrew brings rich expertise and refreshing honesty to the booming vertical farming industry. This episode gets real about what’s driving the next wave in vertical farming: prioritizing plant health and farm success over flashy tech. Together, Harry Duran and Andrew Volpetti unpack why the “hype bubble” around vertical farming technology has popped, and why that’s a good thing for growers, investors, and anyone passionate about sustainable food systems. You’ll get an insider look at how Red Horticulture’s dynamic LED lighting is helping make farming smarter, not just more high-tech. Beyond tech talk, we explore personal journeys—from backyard gardening roots to global industry leadership—plus crucial topics like sustainability, the impact of legacy practices on soil and water, and the evolving rebate landscape for LED upgrades. Andrew Volpetti also shares candid stories of wins, challenges, and the importance of relationship-building in agri-business. Ready to discover the real future of vertical farming and how you can be part of a movement that’s grounded in reality—not just hype? Click play and listen to the full episode now! Thanks to Our Sponsors CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/ Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/ Key Takeaways 00:00 Indoor Ag Con Recap & Industry Reality 00:06 Early Connections: Family, Food, and Farming 00:13 Hydrofarm Career Journey & Sales Philosophy 00:22 Transition to RED Horticulture & Dynamic Lighting 00:29 LED Technology Advances & Client Success Stories 00:36 Work Ethic, Motivation, and Future Visions Tweetable Quotes "I think a lot of the hype bubble, which did pop, and everyone using that trough of disillusionment graph ad nauseam, I think it was good to see. And I think everyone is appreciating it more." "Dynamic lighting was something that I was vaguely familiar with. I knew there were a lot of changes in LEDs, and the one thing I knew I didn't want to do is just be a box pusher. I wanted to believe in the product, I wanted to understand the product, and I wanted to find solutions for people growing crops that hadn't been presented to them. That's where I think the value lies." "I wanted to take Latin. I wound up taking 8 years of Latin. Now, I'm not going to say I was an A student. I wasn't a B student. I was like a C-. But you know what? Dogged determination. I think that pays. And I think it also helped me just realize, look, if you work hard, you put the time in, you learn, you really can achieve, you know, and I think my parents' work ethic, but you know, being told you can't do something is usually the greatest motivator for most people." Resources Mentioned Website - https://www.horticulture.red/en/ LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/andrew-volpetti-mba Connect With Us VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/ VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod Subscribe to our newsletters! AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/ Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/ 🎙️🎙️🎙️ Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/ Mentioned in this episode: 2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews 2025 Precision Ag Report 2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews 2025 Precision Ag Report

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  Episode #179

  179: How Eleusis Helps Feed Security and Builds Rancher Resilience During Droughts with Joaquin Gonzalez

  Dec 5, 202554 minS12

  Ever feel like droughts, rising costs, or feed shortages are always threatening your ranch’s future? I get it—and so does this week’s guest, who’s engineering innovative solutions for resilient, sustainable animal agriculture. In this episode, Harry Duran sits down with Joaquin Gonzalez, Chief Expansion Officer at Eleusis Feed, an expert in agricultural engineering with deep roots (literally) in ranching and hydroponic fodder systems. Raised on a ranch near Santiago and backed by a career spanning Chile, Colorado, and now Texas, Joaquin Gonzalez brings a wealth of hands-on experience and entrepreneurial spirit to revolutionize how livestock are fed. This conversation dives into the power of hydroponic fodder systems as a game-changer for ranchers and farmers battling water scarcity, price hikes, and traditional feed limitations. Joaquin Gonzalez unpacks why modular container farms aren’t always the answer at scale, and shares how Eleusis Feed’s industrial solutions offer flexibility for both small and massive operations, empowering producers in drought-prone regions to ensure feed—and food—security all year long. Beyond the nuts and bolts of fodder systems, you’ll hear stories from Joaquin Gonzalez's lifelong obsession with horses, lessons learned from engineering trial and error, and the realities of transitioning from South America to the U.S. Discover what it really takes to convince traditional ranchers to embrace innovation, and get inspired by the impact of sustainable practices on animal health, water conservation, and rural livelihoods. If you’re ready to learn how vertical farming can safeguard your operation and secure the future of animal agriculture, tune in to this episode now—this one’s packed with practical insights and the passion to match. Listen and get equipped to grow smarter today! Thanks to Our Sponsors CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/ Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/ Key Takeaways 00:06:42 Tackling Chile’s Drought and the Quest for Sustainable Fodder 00:13:01 Engineering Solutions: Container Farms and Overcoming Mold 00:19:22 Barley Fodder for All: From Horses to Giraffes 00:25:29 Scaling Up: Industrial Hydroponic Fodder Systems 00:32:09 Educating Ranchers and Challenging Traditions 00:38:18 Entrepreneurship, Moving to Austin, and Staying Motivated Tweetable Quotes "At the end, you have to have horses, you have to have a trainer and all this stuff, and it was something that from there I transitioned to another sport because it was too expensive. Being one of seven, it wasn't something that I was the only one obsessed with horses and stuff, so I pushed that dream aside and focused on other sports. But then after college, I picked it up again, started riding again, won another championship, and it was everything about having a horse and having a train with feed and all this stuff that gets complicated over time. That is something I have in my heart—at some point, I will do it for sure." "The containerized solution that we could put together was able to produce 850 pounds a day, which, if you look at the industry, you can feed 30 cows, 35 horses, and stuff like that. I was talking to many ranchers that had 200 head of cattle, so for that you need eight containers. Putting one container next to another at some point doesn't make sense—maybe two is okay, three you start to think about, no, because every container has its own system, its own way of farming. At the end, we were looking for something more industrial." "With a fodder system, you use about 95% less water than traditional farm. We’re here to help those places, especially in the western states, where drought makes water a critical issue. There are even incentives from the government like retiring wells—they’ll pay you to retire a well because water is so scarce. Those are the people who benefit the most from this technology." Resources Mentioned Website - https://eleusisfeed.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbGX9JbBJ89H51sVEN1Bog LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaquingonzalezv/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576560510377 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/eleusis_feed/ Connect With Us VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/ VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod Subscribe to our newsletters! AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/ Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/ 🎙️🎙️🎙️ Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/ Mentioned in this episode: 2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews 2025 Precision Ag Report 2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews 2025 Precision Ag Report

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