Key Takeaways
- Farm Tech Society (FTS) will curate multiple sessions at Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention 2025, emphasizing knowledge exchange, standardization, and collaboration.
- The program addresses climate change, resource scarcity, and decarbonization through vertical farming, AI-driven controls, and circular infrastructure.
- Confirmed speakers include Tisha Livingston (80 Acres Farms), Rick Schneiders (Siemens), and Mehdi Ghane (ARUP), among others.
- Sessions will focus on scaling controlled environment agriculture (CEA), new business models, and integration into broader food and energy systems.
- FTS leadership positions the convention as a starting point for practical, cross-sectoral projects.
Farm Tech Society & DLG: Partnership Driving Change
“Since 2018, the collaboration between DLG and Farm Tech Society has been a catalyst for innovation at the intersection of agriculture and technology,” said Prof. Dr. Nils Borchard, Head of Research and Innovation, Competence Center Agriculture and Food. “Our next steps are clear: together, we’re building a roadmap for knowledge exchange, standardization, and joint projects — uniting networks that once stood apart, to create greater value for all.”
FTS will lead several curated sessions at Inhouse Farming 2025 (Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 in Hamburg), with programming designed to link technology providers, growers, investors and regulatory stakeholders,.
Vertical Farming and Specialty Crops
On September 30 (13:00–14:30), a session on Vertical Farming – CEA will explore: Vertical Farming – CEA Salad products and Specialty Crops Indoor. Confirmed speakers include:
- Nico Domurath (FRAUNHOFER IKTS) moderator
- Tisha Livingston (80 Acres Farms) on scalable U.S. salad production.
- Kurt Cornelissen (HORTIPLAN) on proven mid-tech systems.
- Sascha Rose (Roko Farm) on startup-driven VF research.
- Marcel Werle (Mann & Hummel) on integrated air and water solutions.
A panel will discuss Germany’s declining field-based salad production and adoption opportunities to accelerate CEA transition in the largest single market for salad production in value and scale.
AI in Controlled Environments
The Intelligent Control session on September 30 (15:00–16:30) will examine how AI is transforming CEA. Speakers include:
- Geby Youtsey (UCANR) moderator
- Rick Schneiders (Siemens) on integrated accelerator platforms.
- Emmanuel Marreel (HORTIPLAN) on global leader of automated gutter system provider
- Thea-Isabella Otto (Crop Convergence) on plant-level digital twins.
- Eva Helen (Brave Industries) on energy-circularity CEA / Datacenter parks
The panel will highlight how AI, data analytics, and automation can lower costs while addressing low adoption of digital tools in agriculture.
CEA and Digital Infrastructure
On October 1 (09:00–10:30), the CEA Cluster session will showcase how in-house farming can revitalize old industrial sites through renewable energy microgrids and data integration. Speakers include:
- Eva Helen (Brave Industries) moderator
- Nils Wetzel (Drees & Sommer) Renewable Energy Microgrids, Data Centers and Waste Heat integrated Inhouse Farming.
- Mehdi Ghane (ARUP) on datacenter and energy synergies.
- Nils Wetzel (Drees & Sommer) on brownfield transformation.
- Tobias Peselmann (NETZEnergie) on renewable energy bottlenecks.
Farm Tech Society & DLG: Building the Roadmap
“At a time when global food systems face unprecedented challenges, from climate change and resource scarcity to the urgent need for decarbonization, the Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention offers a crucial platform for ideas and projects fostering cross-sectoral change,” said Tom Zoellner, Co-Founder and Secretary-General, Farm Tech Society.
This inaugural convention is a milestone and a kick-off moment for collaborative cross-sectoral projects, bridging CEA with energy, digitalization, and livestock agriculture.
Interested in registering, join the CEA Lounge during Inhouse Farming 2025.
