Objective(s):
Food crop production in protected environments increased by 44% between 1999 and 2014, and the landscape of commercial greenhouse production is changing. The aims of this colloquium are to discuss how greenhouse production is changing and what types of food crops are being produced in greenhouses and controlled environments, including transitioning into food crop production, organic production, strawberry production, mushroom production, and aquaponic production systems. This colloquium will complement last year’s colloquium on vertical farming, but it will be expanded to discuss the crops and production systems that are relevant to non-ornamental horticulturists interested in greenhouse and controlled-environment crop production.

A consumer interest in food crops is increasing fruit and vegetable production, and it is not just affecting field production. Demands for high-quality, safe, and/or local produce is resulting in greenhouses and controlled environments being utilized for food crop production. Additionally, from the greenhouse grower’s perspective, the production of floriculture crops remains relatively flat, while food crop production is increasing. Food crops being produced in greenhouses and controlled-environments ranges from leafy greens and herbs, to tomatoes and peppers, to strawberries and brambles, and some systems are also producing fish and mushrooms as well. Greenhouses and controlled environments are becoming more diverse, with respect to the products, and this colloquium aims to provide attendees with insight into the changing face of greenhouse and controlled environment crop production and share opportunities for researchers and producers in this expanding and changing facet of horticulture. Additionally, it will serve as an opportunity to find new collaborative cross commodity efforts among horticulture scientists and researchers.

 Sponsors

Floriculture (FLOR), Controlled Environments (CWEG), Vegetable Crops Management (VCM)