Title

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

Date(s)

Sep 17, 2026, 1 - 8 pm Central

More Dates

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, 2026Join us on September 17–18, 2026, in Fargo, North Dakota, to learn from leading experts shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture, specialty crops, and agricultural technology.We're excited to announce three outstanding invited speakers for the 3rd Annual North Dakota Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Conference!Dr. Neil Mattson, Professor at Cornell University, will present "Precision Climate Management Strategies for Energy-Saving CEA Crop Production" highlighting data-driven approaches to improve crop performance, resource-use efficiency, and profitability.Dr. Joseph Munyaneza, National Program Leader for Specialty Crops at USDA-NIFA, will provide a national update on specialty crop research priorities, emerging opportunities, and federal funding programs.Dr. James Altland, Program Leader at USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Wooster, Ohio, will share insights on current USDA research and innovations supporting greenhouse and specialty crop production.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 - $500 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

Join Us

Register by July 31, 2026

Join us on September 17–18, 2026, in Fargo, North Dakota, to learn from leading experts shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture, specialty crops, and agricultural technology.

We're excited to announce three outstanding invited speakers for the 3rd Annual North Dakota Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Conference!

Dr. Neil Mattson, Professor at Cornell University, will present "Precision Climate Management Strategies for Energy-Saving CEA Crop Production" highlighting data-driven approaches to improve crop performance, resource-use efficiency, and profitability.
Dr. Joseph Munyaneza, National Program Leader for Specialty Crops at USDA-NIFA, will provide a national update on specialty crop research priorities, emerging opportunities, and federal funding programs.
Dr. James Altland, Program Leader at USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Wooster, Ohio, will share insights on current USDA research and innovations supporting greenhouse and specialty crop production.

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

Widgets

Schedule

September 17, 2026

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

Time	Activity	Location
12:30 - 1:00 pm	Check-in & Registration	Atrium
	Poster Showcase & Networking	Atrium
1:00 - 3:30 pm	Technical 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

Hotel Information

Candlewood Suites Fargo @ NDSU
1831 NDSU Research Park Drive, Fargo, ND 58102
Phone: 701-499-7381 Fax: 701-235-8201

Booking link: NDSU CEA Conference 2026

Conference Room Rates: Single Occupancy: $99/night and Double Occupancy: $119/night

To receive the conference rate, please make your reservation before August 17, 2026. After this date, room availability and rates cannot be guaranteed.

We encourage attendees to book early, as room availability may be limited.