Opening keynote panel announced for CEA Summit East 2025

Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center have announced that the fourth annual Controlled Environment Agriculture Summit East will start with the opening morning keynote panel titled “Cultivating Sustainable Growth: Balancing Economics and the Environment in CEA” at 8:45 a.m. Sept. 9.

Held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Conference Center in Danville, Virginia, the keynote kicks off two days of sessions, research showcases, tabletop exhibits and collaboration across the indoor agriculture industry.

Bringing together voices from government, industry and technology, the panel will explore how CEA operations can grow in ways that are both economically sound and environmentally responsible. The conversation will highlight the connections among policy, innovation and investment.

Keynote panelists include:

• Matthew Lohr, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry: As a member of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s cabinet, Lohr works to advance the administration’s commitment to building a strong indoor agriculture ecosystem in Virginia. The state has prioritized the combination of strategic investment, technology and business development to support safe, sustainable and locally grown food. Lohr brings a deep understanding of how policy and public-private collaboration can help the CEA sector grow and thrive.
• Ben Alexander, project director, Oasthouse Ventures: Alexander oversees U.S. operations for the UK-based firm that is developing a $104.8 million greenhouse project in Carroll County, Virginia. The sustainable business development firm specializes in low-carbon greenhouses.
• Roger Buelow, chief technology officer, COFRA Sustainable Food Group: Buelow brings expertise in sustainable technologies and innovation. The COFRA Sustainable Food Group is focused on encouraging the adoption of a more sustainable food production system and includes businesses related to the CEA sector.

“This panel reflects the core mission of the CEA Summit East: bringing different parts of the industry together to share ideas and explore solutions,” said Indoor Ag-Con CEO Brian Sullivan. “These speakers bring a valuable mix of policy, technical and operational perspectives.”

Scott Lowman, vice president of applied research at IALR and co-director of the CEA Innovation Center, adds, “We’re looking forward to a conversation that not only highlights current progress, but also helps spark ideas for building a more sustainable path forward for CEA.”