In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Adam Bergman, Managing Director of EcoTech Capital and a seasoned agtech investment expert, for a candid conversation about the hard truths and future opportunities in Controlled Environment Agriculture.

Adam unpacks the aftermath of the $8 billion investment surge that flooded into indoor farming from 2017 to 2023, analyzing why many startups failed to deliver on bold promises and what the industry needs to do differently moving forward. From the overfunding of vertical farms to the scalability challenges of biology-based systems, Adam shares why CEA must be treated as industrial agriculture—not tech—and how that mindset shift is key to future viability.

The two dive into the need for standardization, the role of project finance, the importance of experienced growers, and why profit—not hype—will determine the next chapter of CEA.

In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Anton Bellot, Director of Agribusiness and Agri-Food at ATB Financial, to break down the realities of CEA investment. With nearly a decade in agricultural finance, Anton shares insights on the shifting investment climate, lessons from the 2021 funding surge, and why some startups struggled while others thrived.

They discuss the key financial challenges facing CEA today, the differences between greenhouses and vertical farms from a lender’s perspective, and what investors should realistically expect in terms of returns. Anton also shares his outlook on the future of CEA financing and what it will take for the industry to secure sustainable growth in an increasingly cautious financial market.

In this special roundtable episode of CropTalk, I’m joined by industry experts Marco de Bruin (de Bruin Consulting), Chris Higgins (Hort Americas), and Adam Greenberg (IUNU) to break down the current state of Controlled Environment Agriculture. As the industry reaches a pivotal moment, we dive deep into the complexities of operational mastery versus technology, the shifting landscape of investments, and the pressing challenges of workforce development.

We cover everything from navigating tariff impacts and energy costs to the future of vertical farming. Is modular expansion the key to sustainable growth? Can the U.S. develop CEA hubs to compete on a global scale? And what does it really take to build a profitable CEA operation today?

In this episode of CropTalk, Kyle Barnett sits down with Marco de Bruin, founder of De Bruin Greenhouse Consulting, whose experience spans from Revol Greens to Equilibrium Capital and Bushel Boy Farms. Marco shares his remarkable journey from growing up in the Netherlands to becoming a leading figure in North American greenhouse operations.

Together, they dive into the current state of the CEA industry, discussing the hard lessons learned over the past few years, the growing pains of vertical farming, and the essential role experienced operators play in greenhouse success. Marco offers expert insights on scaling operations sustainably, the importance of in-house talent development, and the future of automation and lighting advancements in high-wire and leafy greens production.

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.

In this episode of CropTalk, we dive into the transformative role of AI and data in Controlled Environment Agriculture with Adam Greenberg, CEO of IUNU. Adam shares his expertise on how AI and machine vision are revolutionizing greenhouse operations, the importance of data integration, and why growers must prioritize data ownership to stay competitive.

We explore the evolution of technology in CEA, the commoditization of AI, and what the future holds for innovation, from new data metrics to advances in crop registration. Plus, Adam shares his vision for 2025, including industry growth predictions, the rise of private equity, and the need for transparent, grower-first tech solutions.

Nadav Regev, Director of Business Operations at Eden Green Technology, joins us on this week's episode of CropTalk to explore the intricacies of supply chain management and operational excellence within Controlled Environment Agriculture. With his deep expertise, we dive into effective strategies for optimizing supply chains, the role of accurate forecasting in CEA operations, and how to streamline processes for peak efficiency. Nadav also shares his vision for the future of business operations in the industry and key insights on staying competitive in an evolving market.

Randall Sanderson, Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at Little Leaf Farms, joins us on this weeks episode of CropTalk to delve into all things related to food safety in Controlled Environment Agriculture. With a wealth of industry experience, we discuss key strategies for keeping your operation safe from pathogens and contaminants, best practices for ensuring high-quality produce, and Randall's insights on the future of the CEA industry.

CropTalk has made it to episode 250! In this week's special episode, guest host Adam Greenberg of IUNU navigates a compelling discussion with Charlie Hall, esteemed professor at Texas A&M in person at this year's Cultivate tradeshow. Topics include optimizing economic strategies, enhancing profitability, and the broader economics impacting CEA. Charlie shares his expert analysis, highlighting key factors that influence financial success in this growing industry and his forecasts for its future economic trends. Don't miss this deep dive into the financial landscape of CEA with two leading voices in the field!

Jeff Lair, Director of Architecture and Engineering at DAG, joins us to discuss insights and strategies for achieving design and build efficiency in Controlled Environment Agriculture. We explore the importance of optimizing processes, balancing cost and operational efficiency, and Jeff offers expert perspectives and forecasts on the evolving landscape of the CEA market.