Key Takeaways
- Resource Innovation Institute released four major industry guides developed through a federally funded, two-year collaborative project.
- The publications provide evidence-based, non-biased guidance on AI adoption, high-tech greenhouse development, resource-sharing models, and practical technology upgrades for smaller operators.
- The guides were co-authored by leading academics, researchers, and industry practitioners, reflecting broad stakeholder input.
- Each guide addresses a critical challenge in CEA, from operational efficiency to regulatory barriers and workforce needs.
- All four guides are available as free downloads on RII’s website.
RII Publishes Four New Guides to Advance Resource Efficiency in CEA
Resource Innovation Institute (RII), a non-profit organization focused on improving resource efficiency in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), has released four new industry guides developed through extensive collaboration with researchers, policymakers, technology providers, and industry practitioners. The publications conclude a federally funded, two-year initiative aimed at supporting CEA operations at different scales and stages of maturity.
“These guides represent a significant milestone in our mission to accelerate the CEA industry while improving resource efficiency,” said Rob Eddy, Horticulturist at RII and lead author on all four publications. “We’ve worked with some of the best minds in academia and industry to create resources that address real challenges facing operations of all sizes — from small family growers to large commercial facilities.”
AI, High-Tech Adoption, Colocation, and Practical Upgrades
The four guides offer practical, research-backed insights:
AI & Advanced Robotics: A Primer for CEA Operations
Co-authored with Shreyas Kousik, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute of Technology) and Bryce Carleton (RII), this guide explains how greenhouse and indoor farm operators can evaluate and adopt AI and robotics. It covers emerging applications, workforce considerations, and a grounded outlook on how these technologies may shape CEA operations by 2035.
Accelerating the Adoption of High-Tech Production in U.S. Greenhouses
Developed with A.J. Both, Ph.D. (Rutgers University), this publication examines the barriers and opportunities for expanding high-tech greenhouse production in the United States. It highlights regulatory gaps, training needs, and infrastructure limitations, offering strategies to close the adoption gap with international markets.
Connected Agriculture: Best Practices for Greenhouse Colocation and Resource Sharing
Written by Carmen Azzaretti and Derek Smith (RII), this guide explores colocation models that allow operations to share utilities, infrastructure, and support systems. It includes examples ranging from one-to-one partnerships to district utility systems and integrated farm parks designed to reduce energy costs and increase operational resilience.
Low-Tech to High-Efficiency: Practical Pathways for Greenhouse Operations
Targeted at small and mid-sized growers, this guide provides technology recommendations under $2,000, workforce strategies, and equipment selection frameworks. Co-authored with Qinglu Ying, Ph.D. (University of Kentucky), it focuses on incremental improvements that do not require major capital investment.
Next Steps for the Industry
RII’s working group model brought together more than two dozen universities, industry leaders, and organizations to translate technical findings into practical guidance. The new publications aim to help growers evaluate technologies, improve operational efficiency, and adopt resource-conserving practices.
All four guides are available to download for free.
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