Title

3rd Annual North Dakota Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Conference

Date(s)
- Central
AddToCalendar
Add to Calendar 2026-09-17 13:00:00 2026-09-17 20:00:00 3rd Annual North Dakota Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Conference Join UsRegister by July 31, 2026The 3rd Annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Conference—an exciting event highlighting innovative strategies for growing food in protected environments such as greenhouses, high tunnels, indoor farms, vertical systems, and hydroponics. CEA is transforming food production in North Dakota, enabling year-round vegetable and fruit cultivation with the right technologies.This year’s theme, “Precision Agriculture for CEA,” focuses on the integration of sensors, automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, data-driven management, and smart water and energy systems to improve productivity, sustainability, and resource efficiency in controlled environment food production systems.Topics includeWater managementAutomation and AIEnergy efficiencyData-driven crop managementControlled irrigation and fertigationLighting and sensorsData center - greenhouse integrationConference highlightsKeynotes from USDA ARS, NDSU and regional CEA leadersTechnical presentations and research postersGreenhouse tourNetworking with researchers, agencies, industry partners and entrepreneursThe conference will start at 1:00 pm on September 17, 2026, with a tour, poster session, and dinner social, and will conclude with a half day of research presentations on September 18, 2026. Cost Tour and Conference Registration - $150Non-attending Sponsor - $250Attending Sponsor - $500Agenda, hotel, tours and more information to follow. Sept. 17 Peltier Complex and Sept. 18 at NDSU Prairie Rose, NDSU Memorial Union NDSU Agriculture no-reply@ndsu.edu America/Chicago public
Location
Location:
Sept. 17 Peltier Complex and Sept. 18 at NDSU Prairie Rose, NDSU Memorial Union
Registration
Event Registration
Body
Peltier Building

Join Us

Register by July 31, 2026

The 3rd Annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Conference—an exciting event highlighting innovative strategies for growing food in protected environments such as greenhouses, high tunnels, indoor farms, vertical systems, and hydroponics. CEA is transforming food production in North Dakota, enabling year-round vegetable and fruit cultivation with the right technologies.

This year’s theme, “Precision Agriculture for CEA,” focuses on the integration of sensors, automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, data-driven management, and smart water and energy systems to improve productivity, sustainability, and resource efficiency in controlled environment food production systems.

Topics include

  • Water management
  • Automation and AI
  • Energy efficiency
  • Data-driven crop management
  • Controlled irrigation and fertigation
  • Lighting and sensors
  • Data center - greenhouse integration

Conference highlights

  • Keynotes from USDA ARS, NDSU and regional CEA leaders
  • Technical presentations and research posters
  • Greenhouse tour
  • Networking with researchers, agencies, industry partners and entrepreneurs
  • The conference will start at 1:00 pm on September 17, 2026, with a tour, poster session, and dinner social, and will conclude with a half day of research presentations on September 18, 2026.

Cost

  • Tour and Conference Registration - $150
  • Non-attending Sponsor - $250
  • Attending Sponsor - $500

Agenda, hotel, tours and more information to follow.

Widgets

Schedule

September 17, 2026

Peltier Complex, 1300 18 St. N, Fargo, ND

TimeActivityLocation
12:30 - 1:00 pm Check-in & Registration Atrium
Poster Showcase & Networking Atrium
1:00 - 3:30 pmTechnical Tours
  • NDSU Greenhouse & CEA Facilities
  • Data Center Tour
4:00 - 6:00 pm
  • Welcome to the Peltier Institute
  • Keynote Presentation
  • Networking and Discussion
6:00 - 8:00 pm Conference Banquet Peltier Complex Dining Room
8:00 pm Conclusion of Day’s Scheduled Activities

September 18, 2026

Prairie Rose Room, NDSU Memorial Union

Time Activity
7:30 - 8:00 am Check-in & Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 8:15 am
  • Dr. Heidi Grunwald, NDSU Research & Creative Activity
  • Dr. Frank Casey, NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, & Natural Resources
  • Recognition of Conference Sponsors & Partner
8:15 - 9:00 am

Keynote Presentation

“Precision Agriculture Technologies Transforming Controlled Environment Agriculture”

9:00 - 10:00 am

Session I: Water & Nutrient Management

  • Precision Irrigation & Fertigation
  • Water Quality Management in CEA
  • Hydroponic & Greenhouse Production Systems
10:00 - 10:15 am Break
10:15 - 12:00 pm

Session II: Automation, AI, and Data Analytics

  • Sensors & Monitoring Systems
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Vision
  • Robotics & Automation Applications

Session III: Energy and Environmental Control

  • Energy Efficiency in CEA
  • Environmental Monitoring & Climate Control
  • Data Center & Greenhouse Integration
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Conference Wrap-up & Adjournment

Call for Speakers - 3rd Annual North Dakota Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Conference - Deadline: July 31, 2026

Contact Information

Contact Information

Julie Bietz
julie.bietz@ndsu.edu
701-231-7261

Requests for accommodations related to disability should be made to the event contact person at least two weeks in advance of the event.