Key Takeaways
- Innovative Insights: Highlights from keynote talks and panel discussions at Indoor AG-CON Las Vegas 2024, featuring leading figures like Paul Sellew and Adam Bergman.
- Vivid Canopy Initiative: Vivid Canopy launched and has a mission to foster connections and opportunities within Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
- Diversity as a Success Driver: Insights from the Vivid Canopy panel on diversity’s pivotal role in advancing indoor farming.
- Collaborative Challenges and Triumphs: Strategies for overcoming communication barriers within diverse teams in the indoor farming industry.
- Social Impact and Leadership: How mission-driven approaches in hiring and team building are shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future in agriculture technology.
Indoor AG-CON Las Vegas 2024 – review
Indoor AG-CON Vegas was a whirlwind of innovation! From keynote talks by Paul Sellew (Little Leaf Farms) and Adam Bergman (Citi Bank) to panel discussions diving deep into every corner of the indoor farming supply chain. It was a sensory overload in the best way possible. The hosts covered all aspects of indoor farming, from site selection, plant environment optimization, greenhouse, and vertical farming business cases to downstream discussions around producers and buyers. As a first-time participant at the event, I was honored to lead a session under the banner of the exciting new initiative, Vivid Canopy. With a mission to cultivate connections between diverse communities and sow the seeds of opportunity within the CEA space, Vivid Canopy received a warm welcome from the broader conference community. Thank you to Suzanne Pruitt, who was excited about the idea of including the Women in CEA as part of this new initiative from the first second!
Vivid Canopy Panel Discussion Recap: Diversity Lights the Way in Indoor Farming
Our Vivid Canopy panel discussion brought together the brilliant minds of George Carter III (Skout Strategy), Nona Yehia (Vertical Harvest), and Dr. Nadia Sabeh (Dr.Greenhouse). The atmosphere crackled with energy as we explored leadership, diversity, and the challenges and triumphs of the indoor farming industry. But for me, the real highlight was hearing each panelist delve into the power of diversity as a recipe for success. The interactive program started with a panel discussion followed by three roundtables (Women in CEA, LQBTQ+ and neurodivergence in CEA, and People of Color in CEA).
“GLASE is thrilled with the reception Vivid Canopy received at Indoor Ag-Con. Our goal was to showcase how diversity is critical for the CEA industry to succeed with stories from our panelists leading businesses committed to equity and inclusion. We heard that a true sense of belonging was felt by panelists and attendees alike.” Gretchen Schimelpfenig, Executive Director, GLASE
Diversity Breeds Innovation
George Carter, head of Skout Strategy, believes strongly in building leadership teams with a mix of people from different backgrounds.”Diverse teams are better at solving problems, like food insecurity because they see things from different perspectives.” George’s own company is a great example, with leaders who reflect the communities they work with, “Saying that you’re inclusive isn’t enough; it should also be about understanding the various needs of stakeholders, partners, investors, and the consumers included!”
Building Bridges, Building Teams
At one point, the conversation shifted towards the ever-present challenge of fostering collaboration within indoor farming companies. Panelists addressed the communication challenges that arise when teams of plant scientists, engineers, sales teams, and marketers need to work together effectively. Strategies for bridging these divides and fostering better communication were explored. Nadia and Nona elaborated on why building strong teams is challenging but rewarding and how communication is the key.
One highlight was Nona’s Human-Centric Vision for the Future. Describing how her company sources its workforce from locally underrepresented populations, giving them an opportunity and an inclusive foundation to build careers that are often out of reach due to systemic problems often working against them. Nona leads the Vertical Harvest “community of the willing” and achieves their mission of growing food and futures by cultivating a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. This innovative approach highlights the potential for indoor farms to go beyond food production and create a positive social impact. This aspect of a mission-driven company greatly impacts the choice of external partners, which should not only share the same values but also be part of the endeavor on a long-term basis.
Leading with Purpose
Similarly, Nadia Sabeh, Founder and CEO of Dr. Greenhouse, shared her “why” – her burning passion for solving engineering problems in agriculture – fuels her leadership style. She brings her construction engineering expertise to greenhouses and indoor farms, leading a predominantly female team with skills reflected through diverse educational backgrounds. Her story exemplifies the power of passionate leadership in driving innovation and building inclusive teams within the CEA industry. Nadia’s emphasis on flat hierarchies and fostering inclusivity in the hiring process is a blueprint for successfully managing diverse teams.
The Takeaway: A Brighter Future Through Collaboration
The Vivid Canopy panel discussion was a resounding success, offering a roadmap to a brighter future for indoor farming. By embracing diversity, fostering strong teamwork, and prioritizing social responsibility, the industry can tackle critical challenges and contribute to a more sustainable food system for all. This isn’t just about growing crops; it’s about cultivating a future where everyone has a seat at the table and the opportunity to thrive.
Featured Image: Full house for vivid canopy at Indoor AG-CON (source: Gretchen Schimelpfenig)
