Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr will take the opening morning tonic destination for the 2nd one-year variant of the Controlled Environment Agriculture ( CEA ) Summit East , September 19 - 20 , 2023 , at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research ( IALR ) Institute Conference Center in Danville , VA . Secretary Lohr ’s introduction prepare the stage for two days of Department of Education and networking built around the summit ’s goal of work CEA business and pedantic community of interests fellow member together to boost growth opportunities for the entire sector .
The CEA Summit East is co - hosted by Indoor Ag - Con , the large vertical land | CEA gathering , and the CEA Innovation Center – a partnership between the IALR and Virginia Tech ’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center .
During his keynote speech , “ Virginia ’s Commitment to Next Generation Agriculture : start the Indoor Farming Revolution , ” Secretary Lohr will talk over the country ’s leading part in the CEA sector , including its investment in research and development , workforce breeding , and infrastructure to keep going CEA industry growth . The session will give attendees valuable insights into Virginia ’s strategic CEA plans , first step , support mechanisms , and chance that exist for quislingism and innovation .
Matthew Lohr was raised on a Virginia - century syndicate farm in the Shenandoah Valley . As a fifth - multiplication farmer , he has spent his intact life crop for the advance of the farming diligence and rural America .
He develop his passion for public avail and farming policy while serving as both a land and national FFA officer before graduating from Virginia Tech with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Education . He has more than 30 years of experience as a professional leader and communicator .
In other 2022 , he was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve as Virginia ’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry . In this role , he serves in the governor ’s storage locker and oversee three state of matter agencies – the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services , the Virginia Department of Forestry , and the Virginia Racing Commission .
“ We are honor to have Secretary Lohr join us for the 2d yearly CEA Summit East . Virginia ’s unequalled advantage make it an ideal hub for CEA companies , and Secretary Lohr ’s involvement in our event further underscore the state ’s commitment to further CEA industry invention and growth . His keynote is the unadulterated beef - off to the insightful discussions , networking , and growth opportunity that will all be part of this yr ’s event , ” aver Brian Sullivan , chief executive officer of Indoor Ag - Con .
“ At the CEA Innovation Center , our commission revolves around moving the CEA industry forward through research , educational computer programing , and industry support , ” adds Dr. Scott Lowman , Co - Director of the CEA Innovation Center and Vice President of Applied Research at IALR . “ We are especially aroused to have Secretary Lohr lead our keynote and foreground the pivotal theatrical role that public - private partnerships play in drive the increase of this sphere . With his keynote , we bet forth to showcasing how Virginia ’s collaborative efforts are drive advancements that resonate far beyond our Department of State borders . ”
The CEA Summit East is custom - tailored for new and well - mollify CEA manufacture member from throughout the Eastern US , including indoor and greenhouse growers , facility owners and operator , educators , government official , genuine acres developer , architects , construction medical specialist , gross sales and marketing squad and others .
During the two - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. event , industry members will have the opportunity to listen from CEOs , investigator , and expert leading keynotes , control panel , and breakout sitting ; explore tabletop exhibit presenting the latest CEA innovations and avail ; and revel a master of ceremonies of networking opportunities ranging from meals and coffee breaks to an even social outcome .
Source : ceasummit.com
