This episode is part of our “What Plants Crave” series, where Dr. Sabeh speaks with growers, researchers, engineers, and manufacturers who work in controlled environment agriculture, to get their insights about the direction of the industry, and of course, what exactly it is that plants crave.

This week’s episode features Nico Augsberger. Nico is the Head of Sales in North America for iyris. His background is in environmental science and innovation, where his graduate research focused on the treatment of wastewater intended for agricultural reuse. Upon completion of his graduate studies at KAUST, he joined the iyris team in 2021 (then Red Sea Farms) to support in product development and market research. As the SecondSky nanomaterial began demonstrating positive effects across a range of crops and conditions, Nico’s role evolved from product to business development. Nico has supported the set-up and execution of global manufacturing relationships and product trials, with a focus on the Americas. As of 2024, Nico leads the sales effort in the Americas as iyris continues to expand its impact across crops and geographies. 

Outside of work, Nico enjoys planning local nature hikes with his wife and kids, baking sourdough bread, and playing tennis.

Augsberger discusses with Dr Sabeh his journey into controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and the role of iyris in the industry. He emphasizes the importance of integrating advanced lighting solutions to optimize plant growth and energy efficiency. The conversation also covers challenges in CEA, such as balancing technological innovation with practical application, and the future of sustainable agriculture. Nico shares insights on how data-driven approaches can enhance cultivation practices and contribute to the advancement of CEA.