Reliable source for pH-sensitive testing paper/strips and shelf-stable pH buffers.
Resources
Whatever stage you're at, from planning your first greenhouse to scaling up production or looking for your next opportunity in the industry, this library is built to meet you there. Explore the tools, contacts, and resources most relevant to what you're working on right now, and come back as your needs change.
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Clear searchPlanning
Greenhouse design, supplies and procurement.
Greenhouse Manufacturers & Suppliers
Structures, equipment, and materials for greenhouse construction and operations.
Turnkey greenhouse and hydroponic systems supplier. Offers complete packages including structures, growing systems, and training. Good entry point for new or smaller operations looking for a one-stop shop.
Full-service distributor of greenhouse supplies, LED lighting, growing media, and hydroponic equipment. Also offers educational short courses and technical support. A trusted name in North American CEA.
US branch of Dutch Greenhouse manufacturer. They specialize in the design, construction, and installation of advanced greenhouse projects.
Consulting & Advisory
Independent consultants and advisory firms serving the CEA industry.
CEA consulting focused on greenhouse operations optimization, crop planning, and staff training for commercial produce operations. Works across the industry, but emphasizes support for small to mid-sized growers.
Strategic consulting for CEA businesses. Kyle Barnett brings over a decade of industry experience across sales, operations, and market development. Also the host of the CropTalk podcast.
CEA consulting firm specializing in feasibility studies, farm design, and business planning for urban agriculture and indoor farming projects. Also offers the Agritecture Designer software tool for project modeling.
An engineering and consulting firm focused on climate management for greenhouses and indoor farms. Dr. Nadia Sabeh has nearly three decades of experience in CEA. She also hosts The Doctor Is In podcast.
Operations
Production, crop inputs and diagnostics; pest and disease support; post-production and marketing.
Helpful Tools
Free bilingual calculator tools and training videos from UF/IFAS. Great for quick reference on fertilizer dilutions, VPD, light levels, and crop costing right on your phone in the greenhouse.
Visual diagnostic tool for identifying nutrient deficiencies across a wide range of crops. The crop-specific photo guides are super helpful.
This hydroponic nutrient solution calculator is an open source, free program that allows the user to create targeted nutrient solutions. The user inputs the fertilizer salts that they have available and nutrient targets. The calculator then produces a fertilizer blend as close as possible to user input, informing what amount of each salt to add to solution.
Seed Companies & Genetics
Seed suppliers with varieties bred or trialed for greenhouse and indoor production.
Worker-owned seed company with strong greenhouse variety selections. Excellent cultural information and trialing data on their website. Their greenhouse-specific catalog section is well curated.
Major global supplier of seed and vegetative cuttings. Primarily focused on ornamentals but increasingly relevant for CEA herb and specialty crop production.
UK-based specialist seed supplier focused on microgreens, baby leaf, and sprouting varieties. Good source if you're producing specialty greens for high-value markets.
Dutch vegetable breeding company with a deep greenhouse genetics portfolio. Strong in tomato, pepper, cucumber, and lettuce varieties bred specifically for protected cultivation. Major supplier to commercial greenhouse operations worldwide.
Top-tier Dutch breeder specializing in leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers for CEA. Known for excellent variety trial support and crop-specific technical guidance.
Global seed company with a growing portfolio of greenhouse-adapted varieties. Particularly strong in ornamentals and selected vegetable lines for protected cultivation.
A US-based seed company with specialties in CEA leafy greens, herbs, and other commodity crops.
Biological & Crop Inputs
Biocontrol agents, biostimulants, and specialty input suppliers for CEA operations.
Soil biology and microbial inoculant company. Their products target root zone health in hydroponic and substrate-based systems, with a focus on building beneficial microbial communities.
Hydroponic-specific input supplier offering nutrient solutions, beneficial microbes, and growing media designed for soilless production systems. Useful if you're looking for products formulated specifically for hydroponic environments.
Biostimulant company focused on microbial products for greenhouse and indoor crop production. Products target root development, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance.
Lab Testing & Diagnostics
Laboratories and testing services for water quality, tissue analysis, substrate testing, and plant pathology.
Netherlands-based lab specializing in sap analysis for greenhouse crops. Provides real-time nutritional monitoring data that many top Dutch growers rely on for precision fertigation. Particularly valuable for high-wire vegetable growers.
Water and substrate testing laboratory associated with JR Peters fertilizer company. Quick turnaround on water quality analysis — useful for dialing in your fertigation program.
Full-service agricultural testing lab offering water, tissue, substrate, and nutrient solution analysis. Fast turnaround and reasonable pricing. Widely used by commercial greenhouse operations across the eastern U.S.
Reliable source for pH-sensitive testing paper/strips and shelf-stable pH buffers.
See also: Consulting & Advisory, in Planning
Business
Finances and labor.
Job Searching
A list of helpful resources for horticultural job searches
The American Society for Horticultural Science job posting page. Regularly updated, these roles can range from academic to industry to public service positions.
This page specializes in job postings for CEA related roles. Most are industry-facing jobs for a variety of positions.
Helps connect horticultural enthusiasts with like-minded companies and organizations for careers and collaborations.
See also: Consulting & Advisory, in Planning
Education and Training
Courses in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and horticulture, certifications, research and extension, universities and research centers, publications and media, artificial intelligence (AI) and data skills, and other useful links.
CEA Courses
Online and in-person training programs covering the fundamentals of greenhouse and indoor farm operations.
A centralized, searchable database of active CEA training programs from top universities including Cornell, Ohio State, Michigan State, Rutgers, and more. Great starting point for finding coursework on nearly any greenhouse topic.
Self-paced online courses covering CEA crop production, plant physiology, root zone management, and business planning. Developed through the GLASE consortium with input from multiple universities. Good foundational coursework for new and intermediate growers.
Annual multi-day intensive at the University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. Hands-on training with leading CEA researchers. Covers greenhouse design, hydroponics, specialty crops, and more.
Award-winning 4-week certificate courses from the University of Florida. Fully online, bilingual (English/Spanish), and taught by experienced faculty. Covers everything from nutrient management to disease diagnosis. Great value for the depth of content.
Affordable, focused courses on greenhouse management, hydroponic systems, and crop production. Available live or on-demand for about $50 each.
Hosts the Greenhouse Tomato Academy, CEA Leafy Greens Network events, Strawberry School Online, and annual CEA conferences. A hub for practical, research-backed greenhouse education with a mix of webinars and in-depth training.
Comprehensive training on Dutch-style high-wire tomato production. Four weeks of online lectures plus optional two-day hands-on greenhouse training at Ohio State. Covers climate management, crop steering, and pest control.
Online training program from Ohio State covering greenhouse and indoor strawberry production. Covers cultivar selection, environmental management, and production systems. One of the few resources dedicated to CEA strawberry growing.
Dutch-origin growing philosophy focused on optimizing the three plant balances (energy, water, assimilates) for stress-free, high-yield production. The book "Plant Empowerment: The Basic Principles" (350 pages) is a great read. Also offers online courses and workshops.
Over 30 self-paced courses on hydroponic farm planning, business development, pest management, and lighting. Good for entrepreneurs and new growers building their first operation. $9.99/month or $99/year with some free samples available.
Week-long in-person strategic sprint for farmers, developed from decades of food systems entrepreneurship courses at leading MBA programs. Combines business planning, financial strategy, and peer learning. Fully funded fellowship — participants cover only travel costs.
Run by experienced professors at OSU, this self-paced course features individual modules by topic. The goal of the course is to teach the user how to use programs R and RStudio for topics like: data analysis, modeling, figure building, statistics, publication-grade images, maps, and bioinformatics.
In this workshop you will learn the fundamentals of mushroom production. In-person participants will conduct a hands-on activity and take their own oyster mushroom starter bag to fruit at home. This workshop is available both in-person at the UA Controlled Environment Agriculture Center and online via Zoom Meeting.
Includes free online videos from an Environmental Plant Physiology class. Also features a paid course in Cannabis Cultivation.
Certifications
Professional certifications relevant to CEA operations.
Entry-level certification for greenhouse technicians. Online, self-paced format covers production fundamentals. Good credential for new employees in greenhouse operations.
Mid-level certification building on the Technician program. Covers IPM, quality control, efficiency, and leadership skills for section-level greenhouse growers.
Required in most states for anyone applying restricted-use pesticides. Your state's Department of Agriculture administers the exam. Study guides are typically available through your state Extension service. Essential for any commercial growing operation.
Administered by the American Society of Horticultural Science, a CPH certification represents a person who may be qualified to consult for industrial and commercial ventures, advise government, give legal testimony, and provide valid information to the media.
For recent graduates, an APH indicates an individual on the way to achieving full professional status as a Certified Professional Horticulturalist.
The PPH designation designates an individual with five or more years of professional horticulture experience, usually in education, business, or public service. Typically, this person does not hold an advanced degree.
Research & Extension
University research, Extension resources, and publicly funded projects advancing CEA science.
Monthly webinar series hosted by Dr. Chieri Kubota featuring university researchers and industry professionals on topics like lighting, temperature management, root zone optimization, and farm automation. Over 60 recorded sessions available. Absolute gold mine for growers.
Great information on pests, diseases, and nutritional disorders from a network of 18+ university Extension specialists. Also has mobile diagnostic tools, PGR calculators, and a full video lecture library (e-GRO University). Subscribe to the spring e-GRO Alerts.
Cornell-led consortium focused on energy-efficient LED lighting and greenhouse environmental controls. Excellent resources on light recipes, energy benchmarking, and systems integration.
USDA-funded multi-university research project focused on improving profitability and sustainability of indoor leafy greens production. Their website has research summaries, FAQs, and links to the Indoor Ag Science Café webinar archive.
Curated collection of fact sheets, apps, and extension publications for hydroponic greenhouse production. Good starting point for finding specific technical information.
USDA's National Agricultural Library collection of hydroponics publications, research links, and educational materials. Broad but useful for finding federal research and reference materials.
The go-to source for U.S. agricultural census data, greenhouse surveys, and crop production statistics. Useful for market analysis, grant applications, and benchmarking your operation.
Great webinars on topics related to greenhouse production, pest and disease management, etc.
Universities & Research Centers
Leading institutions with active CEA research programs.
Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center led by Dr. Chieri Kubota. Strong programs in tomato, lettuce, and strawberry production research. Hosts multiple annual training events.
One of the most established CEA programs in the U.S. Research on greenhouse vegetable production, lighting, and hydroponics led by Dr. Neil Mattson and colleagues. Home of the GLASE consortium.
Supports emerging and diversifying growers across Kentucky with enterprise budgets, market analysis, and production guides. UK has been running hands-on CEA pathway cohort programs for small and mid-sized growers and developing extension publications on propagation, nutrient management, and greenhouse crop production. A great resource particularly for growers in the Southeast and Appalachian region.
Home of Back Pocket Grower and Greenhouse Training Online. Strong applied research in crop nutrition, disease diagnosis, and substrate management. Dr. Paul Fisher leads the floriculture research program.
A multidisciplinary research group of scientists, engineers, and industry partners led by Dr. Ricardo Hernandez. The coalition's model is industry-driven- member companies set research priorities and get early access to findings. World-class facilities including the Phytotron, Plant Sciences Initiative rooftop greenhouses, and four advanced growth chambers (only eight exist worldwide). Active research in LED lighting optimization, strawberry propagation, cannabis production, and speed breeding. Also hosts a research podcast for growers.
Active CEA research group including Dr. Erik Runkle (lighting) and Dr. Roberto Lopez (floriculture/CEA). Dr. Simone Valle de Souza provides extension support for controlled environment vegetable production. Strong output on photoperiod, light quality, and energy efficiency research.
Home of the CEA Network, a workforce development and industry collaboration initiative launched in 2025. Dr. Carmela Rosaria Guadagno directs the Center for CEA and the Plant Growth & Phenotyping Facility. Michael Baldwin serves as facility manager and CEA specialist, leading industry recruitment and bridging business perspectives with academic research. Strong focus on interdisciplinary CEA coursework, hands-on training, and partnerships with Wyoming growers and national CEA companies.
Provides certificate and AAS degree pathways in sustainable, soilless food production utilizing a solar-powered greenhouse and specialized "Farm Pod" shipping containers. Academic Director Charlie Shultz leads the program’s extensive outreach, which includes international sustainability partnerships, dual-credit high school initiatives, and local food security projects.
The Controlled Environment Agriculture Center in Tucson hosts one of the premier greenhouse research facilities in North America. Directed by Dr. Murat Kacira. Home of the annual CEA Short Course.
University-wide CEA initiative partnering with industry on indoor and greenhouse production research. Facilities include 151 growth chambers, 120+ research greenhouses, and Argus-automated environmental controls. Also offers a four-course CEA certificate through Continuing and Professional Education.
Hands-on community college program in Aptos, California with certificates and degrees in greenhouse management and sustainable ag tech. The 11-acre facility includes 3,600 sq ft of CEA greenhouse space. Hydroponic tomatoes, NFT lettuce, and aquaponics with a CCOF-certified organic farm.
Fact-sheet type publications from researchers at the University of Georgia focused specifically on controlled environment agriculture.
Publications & Media
Industry media, podcasts, and trade publications covering the CEA space.
Online publication focused specifically on controlled environment agriculture. Covers greenhouse produce, vertical farming, and CEA technology.
The go-to podcast for CEA professionals. Host Kyle Barnett has recorded 250+ episodes with growers, operators, researchers, and investors. Unfiltered, practical conversations about what's actually happening in the industry.
Leading trade publication for the greenhouse industry. Covers production practices, technology, business management, and industry news.
Trade publication focused on greenhouse production and technology. Good coverage of new products and industry trends.
Long-running trade magazine for greenhouse growers. Covers production techniques, business insights, and industry trends across ornamentals and food crops.
Global online news source covering greenhouse horticulture. Daily updates on greenhouse technology, crop production, and industry developments worldwide. Particularly strong on European and Dutch greenhouse news.
Trade publication covering commercial produce production including greenhouse-grown fruits and vegetables. Good coverage of market trends and production practices.
News and features covering urban agriculture, CEA, and indoor farming. Good coverage of new operations, research, and industry developments.
Quarterly magazine from Ball Publishing. Contains well-researched articles on industry news and topics from across CEA. Most articles are accessible for free on their website.
Dr. Greenhouse started “The Doctor Is In” to nurture the growth of our community in the industry, learn every day, and teach what we know. In a new series, “What Plants Crave,” Dr. Sabeh speaks with growers, researchers, and other experts in controlled environment agriculture, to get their insights about the direction of the industry, and of course, what exactly it is that plants crave.
Other Useful Links
Additional tools and resources that don't fit neatly into the categories above but are still worth bookmarking.
Reference textbook content covering greenhouse structures, glazing, environmental control, and systems design. Foundational knowledge for anyone designing or evaluating a greenhouse facility.
An eBook from researchers at Colorado State University that gives a general overview of greenhouse control systems with a focus on basic photobiology concepts.
AI & Data Skills
Our industry is increasingly data-driven. These courses can help you work smarter with the tools available today.
Guide to Excel functions and statistical analysis. Useful for farm data analysis, trial design, and interpreting research results.
Hands-on specialization for using AI tools to improve Excel workflows, data analysis, and automation. Directly applicable to farm data management.
Learn to write effective prompts for large language models. Practical for anyone wanting to use AI tools for writing SOPs, analyzing crop data, or drafting reports.
Dr. Jules Whites accessible intro to generative AI. No coding required. Good for understanding what AI can and can't do for your business.
Horticultural Education Courses
Courses and groups offering education in varied areas of horticulture. These may include landscape design, master gardener programs, floral design, and other aspects of public or private horticulture.
Started in 1973, the Extension Master Gardener Program, a unique volunteer program, has become internationally recognized and often duplicated as a model for other volunteer programs. Today, Extension Master Gardener programs exist in 49 states and the District of Columbia, several Canadian provinces, and South Korea.
Offers affordable programs on a wide variety of agricultural topics, such as Master Nursery Producer and Farming Fundamentals. Participant costs are partially defrayed with support from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Associations
Organizations and trade groups, conferences and trade shows, and coalitions for controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
Organizations & Trade Groups
Professional associations and trade groups serving the CEA community.
The leading national trade association for the horticulture industry. Hosts Cultivate, the largest horticultural trade show in North America. Offers professional certifications, advocacy, and industry research.
The world's largest scientific society dedicated to horticultural research. Publishes Acta Horticulturae and hosts international symposia across all horticultural disciplines including CEA.
Mexico's protected agriculture trade association representing the massive and growing greenhouse sector south of the border. Useful perspective on North America's largest greenhouse vegetable production region.
Leading Dutch crop consulting and knowledge organization. Offers crop-specific advice, trial services, and grower training. A bridge to Netherlands-based greenhouse expertise and production practices.
Trade association representing Ontario's greenhouse vegetable sector, one of the largest and most advanced in North America. Good resource for understanding large-scale commercial greenhouse operations and Canadian industry standards.
State horticultural trade organization supporting greenhouse, nursery, fruit, and specialty crop growers across Kentucky. Executive Director Trevor Terry connects growers with research, funding, and industry resources. Active in workforce development and coordination between growers, university extension, and policymakers.
Nonprofit focused on resource efficiency in CEA. Their PowerScore benchmarking tool helps growers measure and compare energy use. They're doing some really interesting work with their Farm Parks concept, definitely worth checking out!
Conferences & Trade Shows
Annual event in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Strong programming focused on commercial greenhouse vegetable production.
AmericanHort's annual trade show and conference. The largest horticultural trade event in North America. Columbus, Ohio each July.
Major international horticultural technology trade show. Strong European attendance but increasingly relevant for North American growers.
The largest trade conference dedicated to indoor and vertical farming in North America. Annual events in Las Vegas and other cities. Good networking opportunity and industry pulse check.
CEA Coalitions
CEA Coalitions merge private and public sectors to pursue joint research projects. Members typically pay an annual fee to support Coalition-voted and -approved grants. Generally, these coalitions offer members early access to research outcomes, the ability to vote on coalition grant funding, private partnerships, research agreements, or access to a diverse horticultural talent pool of upcoming graduates.
The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Coalition is a multidisciplinary, controlled environment research group based out of North Carolina State University. Comprised of research scientists, engineers and in close partnership with industry, the CEA Coalition aims to develop controlled environment agriculture (CEA) as an economically and environmentally sustainable option for agricultural practices by performing evidence-based, transformative research.
The Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) Consortium is an academic-industry partnership focusing on being the central driving force in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) through collaborative interdisciplinary research. The OHCEAC Consortium helps OHCEAC identify immediate, pre-competitive research needs to help the CEA industry at large.
Grants & Funding
Grants, loans, and other funding for greenhouse operations.
Grants
Government grant programs and funding opportunities relevant to greenhouse and indoor farming operations.
Supports agricultural education and development programs. Offers grant funding for projects that promote farming, agricultural literacy, and rural community development. Check for current grant cycles and eligibility requirements.
Federal grants database. Search for "greenhouse" or "controlled environment agriculture" to find current funding opportunities across all federal agencies.
Federal grants for sustainable agriculture research and education projects. Multiple grant types including Farmer/Rancher grants for on-farm trials. Good option for growers testing new techniques.
USDA program that funds projects enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, herbs). Grants flow through state departments of agriculture. Great for research partnerships and market development.
Rural Energy for America Program provides grants and loan guarantees for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems. Greenhouses can qualify for upgrades like LED lighting, insulation, and heating systems. Up to 40% of project costs.
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