In this episode of CropTalk, we continue the Master Strawberry Series with Katia Kouloumprouka Zacharaki, TCEA Soft Fruit Specialist at NIAB and founder of InnoPhyte Consulting. With more than a decade of experience across start-ups and research organisations, Katia brings a research-driven perspective on the realities of strawberry cultivation in controlled environments. We cover why greenhouse and polytunnel growers face shrinking margins, the biological gaps that make indoor strawberry yields unpredictable, and the risks of relying on best-case financial models. Katia explains the importance of dialing in climate control before chasing new genetics and breaks down the trade-offs between F1 seeds and clonal propagation. A candid look at the state of indoor strawberry production and what it will take to make the crop commercially viable.

In this episode of CropTalk, we kick off the Master Strawberry Series with John Place, CEO of Nourse Farms, one of the largest berry propagators in North America with over 90 years of history. John brings a grounded perspective on the realities of strawberry propagation, breaking down the challenges CEA berry growers are facing today. We cover the rise of disease pressures like Neopestalotiopsis (Neo-P), the lag in high-yielding genetics, and the strain this has placed on commercial operators. John shares why low-tech tunnel systems may become the more realistic path forward and how clean propagation practices are now mission critical. A direct, honest look at the state of the strawberry sector and what it will take to get the industry back on track.

In this finale episode of the Master Tomato Grower Series, we bring together three of North America's top tomato minds for a roundtable conversation: Gabriel Forero of Sunterra, Roberto Ramirez of Best Boy Farms, and Matt Korpan of the SEF Center for Horticultural Innovation.

This honest, grounded discussion cuts through the noise and gets to what actually matters in tomato production today. We talk real numbers, shifting margins, climate volatility, and the pressure to do more with less. The group shares sharp insights on labor management, why technology has to serve the grower (not the other way around) and how to stay data-informed without losing your edge in the crop. If you want to know what top-level growers are really dealing with and how they’re adapting under pressure, this is the episode to listen to.

In this episode of CropTalk, we continue the Master Tomato Grower Series with Matt Korpan, Executive Director of R&D at the SEF Center for Horticultural Innovation. With a background rooted in commercial growing and now leading a 30-person innovation team in Leamington, Ontario, Matt shares a data-backed view of the tomato industry’s future. We cover ToBRFV mutation tracking, AI-driven plant sensing, flavor-focused breeding, and the realities of robotics and vertical farming in North America. A sharp, technical conversation on solving grower problems, adapting to retail demands, and building real-world innovation into greenhouse production.

In this episode of CropTalk, we continue the Master Tomato Grower Series with Roberto Ramirez, Head Grower at Best Boy Farms (Hazel Farms), formerly part of Bushel Boy. From his roots as a crop worker in Mexico to leading 19+ acres of high-tech greenhouse production, Roberto shares what it really takes to scale in CEA. We cover labor retention, biological controls, tech evaluation, and his outlook on AI and genetics in controlled environment agriculture. A grounded, insightful conversation on growing crops, leading teams, and staying ahead in a changing industry.

To kick off the Master Tomato Grower Series, I sat down with Gabriel Ferraro, Head Grower at Sunterra Greenhouse in Alberta. Gabe has one of the most well-rounded resumes in the industry, from cut flowers in Colombia to cannabis in Canada and now leads one of the region’s top tomato operations.

We got into the real challenges he's facing: unpredictable weather, labor shortages, and a tough pricing landscape. Gabe shares why he’s not convinced automation is the answer, and how hands-on growing, sharp team communication, and consistent walkthroughs are still the keys to success. This conversation is about more than tomatoes, it’s about leadership, adaptation, and staying grounded in a fast-changing world.

In this special episode of CropTalk, guest host Adam Greenberg sits down with Pieter Slaman, Head Grower at Little Leaf Farms, for a raw and insightful conversation recorded live at their Massachusetts facility. Pieter shares the remarkable story behind Little Leaf’s rise from a bold idea to North America’s largest lettuce greenhouse operation.

With a deep focus on plant-centric growing, Pieter explains the operational philosophies and cultural values that set Little Leaf apart in a competitive and often volatile CEA landscape. From the importance of trusting your growers to the pitfalls of finance-first greenhouse decision-making, this episode offers a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and technical execution.

In the series finale of the CropTalk Finance & Investment Series, I bring together our three previous guests: Anton Bellot, Adam Bergman, and Curt Meltzer for an honest and unfiltered roundtable discussion.

We dive deep into the hard lessons learned from nearly $8 billion invested into Controlled Environment Agriculture with limited success. Together, we unpack where the disconnects occurred, why so many operations & investors failed, and what it will realistically take for CEA to move forward.

Key topics include the critical need for shifting from venture capital to infrastructure finance, the pitfalls of unrealistic business models, the essential role of experienced operators, and the evolving importance of profitability, not just growth.

Anton, Adam, and Curt also share their visions for the future of CEA: what new business models must look like, what signals investors are actually looking for, and the role that government policy, AI, and true operational excellence will play in the next chapter.

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.

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.