The world of agriculture is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in the face of challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and shifting consumer demands. One of the leading voices in this transformation is AeroFarms, a pioneering clean-technology company specializing in building and operating state-of-the-art indoor vertical farms. The company’s journey towards resilience and growth will take center stage as AeroFarms President and Chief Financial Officer Guy Blanchard leads a keynote address at the 2nd annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East, scheduled for September 19-20, 2023.
The CEA Summit East, a collaborative effort between Indoor Ag-Con and the Virginia Tech-IALR CEA Innovation Center, aims to unite key players in the controlled environment agriculture sector, including indoor and greenhouse growers, educators, researchers, government officials, and industry innovators. The summit is a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Blanchard’s keynote, scheduled for Wednesday, September 20th at 9 a.m., promises to provide valuable insights into AeroFarms’ journey towards resilience, particularly in the aftermath of a Chapter 11 filing. This candid exploration of challenges and growth strategies aligns with the conference’s mission to promote learning, networking, and collective growth within the CEA community.
AeroFarms’ commitment to sustainability and innovation has earned it recognition as a Certified B Corporation. Accolades such as being named one of the Most Innovative Companies in the World by Fast Company and one of the Top 25 Disruptive Companies by Inc. Blanchard’s extensive experience in project finance and corporate development has played a pivotal role in AeroFarms’ success, making his insights particularly valuable to attendees of the CEA Summit East.
Blanchard’s keynote address will delve into AeroFarms’ growing retail partnerships with industry giants like Walmart, H-E-B, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh. These partnerships underscore AeroFarms’ impact on the food supply chain, bringing fresh, locally-grown produce to consumers year-round. Moreover, the keynote will provide updates on AeroFarms’ latest venture—the Danville farm—an enterprise that is scaling according to plan and contributing to the company’s ongoing success.
AeroFarms’ story is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience in modern agriculture. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainable practices, AeroFarms is transforming how we grow food and demonstrating how businesses can navigate challenges and emerge stronger.
Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con, expressed excitement about Blanchard’s participation, emphasizing AeroFarms’ status as a trailblazer in the indoor farming industry. Sullivan believes that Blanchard’s insights will provide invaluable guidance for the sector as it confronts new challenges and seizes new opportunities.
Dr. Scott Lowman, Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center and Vice President of Applied Research at IALR, highlighted the alignment between Blanchard’s keynote and the center’s mission to foster collaboration and innovation within the CEA community. The Innovation Center, a collaboration between IALR and Virginia Tech, aims to advance the CEA sector through research and educational programming.
The CEA Summit East is an engaging two-day event with keynote speeches, panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to connect with CEOs, researchers, and experts, explore the latest CEA innovations and services through tabletop exhibits, and build meaningful relationships within the industry.
As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, events like the CEA Summit East play a crucial role in shaping the future of farming. With AeroFarms’ Guy Blanchard at the helm of a transformative keynote address, attendees can gain valuable insights into navigating challenges, embracing innovation, and cultivating resilience in the dynamic world of controlled environment agriculture.
Image provided by Aerofarms
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