In this episode of CropTalk, I sit down with Chris Higgins, President and Co-Founder of Hort Americas, to explore the evolving landscape of Controlled Environment Agriculture. Chris shares insights on the importance of quality, consistency, and reliability in horticulture, emphasizing how growers can navigate the challenges of supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rising production costs.

We discuss the rise and fall of vertical farming investments, the lessons learned from overhyped ag-tech, and what it takes to build a sustainable and profitable growing operation. Chris also touches on the need for realistic expectations in CEA, the importance of standardized industry definitions, and how growers can balance innovation with practicality. Looking ahead to 2025, he shares his perspective on where the industry is headed and how businesses can position themselves for long-term success.