In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Curt Meltzer, a former Attorney turned Managing Partner & CEO of Kentucky Fresh Harvest, to explore the high-stakes world of finance, risk, and reality in Controlled Environment Agriculture.

Curt shares his unique perspective as both an early-stage investor and an operator who was thrust into the day-to-day management of a large-scale tomato greenhouse after project delays, cost overruns, and pandemic-era complications. Drawing from his legal background and experience leading a struggling operation, Curt offers brutally honest insights into what can go wrong and what CEA entrepreneurs must get right.

The two unpack the dangers of poor planning, unrealistic budgets, and siloed decision-making, while also discussing how new entrants can avoid repeating past mistakes. From investor expectations and operational readiness to crop selection and market validation, Curt lays out a blueprint for building smarter, more resilient CEA ventures in a capital-constrained environment.