As the agricultural industry continues to evolve with advancements in technology, the 2024 GLASE Summit, to be held on November 6 in Montréal, Quebec, offers a valuable platform for exploring the latest in greenhouse lighting and systems automation. The Cornell University Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium is bringing together experts from both the U.S. and Canada to discuss dynamic lighting, a key innovation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
Dynamic lighting, which allows growers to adjust the intensity and spectrum of light based on crop needs and environmental conditions, has been a game-changer in greenhouse operations. A recent study published by the International Society for Horticultural Science found that dynamic lighting can improve both the yield and quality of crops like tomatoes and leafy greens by optimizing light use efficiency and reducing energy consumption by up to 30% compared to static lighting systems.
The grower panel at the GLASE Summit will provide firsthand experiences from industry leaders who have integrated dynamic lighting into their operations. Panelists include Bob Jones from The Chef’s Garden (U.S.), Finn and Roots (U.S.), Denis Lavoie from Serres Brillo (Québec), and Robert Thérien from Les Serres Point du Jour (Québec). These experts will discuss the challenges and successes they’ve encountered while adopting these new lighting technologies, offering insights on how to maximize production efficiency and sustainability in greenhouses.
The event will also feature a keynote presentation from Tessa Pocock, Chief Science Officer at Soli Organic. Pocock is known for her pioneering work in plant photobiology and will delve into the latest research on how light impacts plant growth, focusing on how advancements in lighting technology can help meet the growing global demand for food while minimizing environmental impacts.
Beyond the grower panel and keynote address, the 2024 GLASE Summit will explore the broader implications of systems automation in CEA. With the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, increasing agricultural productivity in a sustainable way is more important than ever. Automation, combined with dynamic lighting, offers the potential to reduce labor costs, increase precision in resource use, and improve overall crop quality.
A networking event featuring Vivid Canopy will further highlight the importance of diversity in the CEA industry, ensuring that innovative solutions are inclusive and reflective of a wide range of perspectives. This initiative underscores the need for collaboration in addressing the complex challenges faced by modern agriculture.
The GLASE Summit is made possible by anchor sponsor Sollum Technologies, a company at the forefront of smart lighting solutions. The summit will also include exclusive greenhouse tours for GLASE Industry Advisory Board (IAB) members, who will have the opportunity to observe dynamic lighting systems in action at tomato and strawberry production facilities.
As the CEA industry continues to grow, events like the GLASE Summit play a crucial role in fostering knowledge sharing and innovation. By bringing together growers, researchers, and industry leaders, the summit will help drive the adoption of sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies that can enhance both productivity and environmental stewardship in greenhouse agriculture.
The 2024 GLASE Summit promises to be a must-attend event for anyone involved in greenhouse operations or CEA. With dynamic lighting and systems automation at the forefront of discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into how these innovations can revolutionize their operations. As the global demand for sustainable food production intensifies, staying informed about the latest advancements in agricultural technology is essential for future success.
