Dr Stutte - SyNRGE, LLC
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ISSUE 5
GROWING SPACE
NCERA-101, UC Davis, Dr Stutte, SyNRGE, greenhouse, gotham

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is a rapidly changing industry that makes keeping up with the emergence of challenges, advances in research, and introduction of new ideas a challenge for even the most seasoned multi-taskers.

Although there is much knowledge to be gleaned from newsletters, social media, a google search, or a review of academic literature, there is something about face-to-face meetings and networking that can’t be replaced. One of our favorite meetings to travel to yearly is a small gathering of experts in CEA that goes by the cryptic title of NCERA-101.

The North Central Extension & Research Activity–101 (NCERA-101) is a committee of the USDA organized to help plant scientists understand how to use controlled environment technology effectively and consistently. The committee meets annually at different locations and provides a forum for the exchange of information on new technologies and problems in controlled environments between academic, government and industry members. It is the oldest such USDA committee, and the influence of its members on the CEA industry cannot be overstated.

This year’s meeting held special significance to SyNRGE for a number of reasons:

The meeting was held at the University of California in Davis, CA, where Dr. Stutte obtained his PhD in Plant Physiology and Pomology (Fruit Production), was married, and started a family. It was a trip down memory lane to walk through the halls of Wickson Hall, see the names of former professors, and feel gratitude for the foundation in scientific inquiry that they provided.
Gary Stutte, Wickson Hall, UC Davis

This meeting marked 30 years of active involvement with NCERA-101 since first attending as a new hire at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This milestone gave perspective on where the industry has been, the transformation it’s undergoing, and the promising future ahead. 

SyNRGE, for the first time, was a corporate sponsor of  NCERA-101. It was an opportunity to give back to the community that does so much to advance the controlled environment industry.

One observation is that NASA's plant research efforts remain impactful in the changing CEA industry. Representatives from NASA's Ames Research Center and Kennedy Space Center attended the meeting. Multiple teams participating in the NASA and Canadian Space Agencies Deep Space Food Challenge presented their research. Numerous presenters had interned, held post-docs or visiting scientist positions at NASA facilities, or received funding from NASA.
Highlights
  • The CEA research community is alive and well!

    This meeting, coming on the heels of NCERA-101 hosting the 6th International Meeting in Tucson, AZ just 6 months ago, (SyNRGE moderated a session on advances in lighting technology at that meeting) still had 25 research institutions, 30 industry partners and 5 research organizations in attendance. The organization of the meeting provided ample opportunities for information exchange though station updates and informal social gatherings.

  • There is still much to be learned.

    The CEA industry has adapted the advancements in sensors, computer control and lighting systems which has enabled the emergence of the Indoor agriculture industry worldwide. Yet as we change how we grow plants, there are many questions on how plants respond to these new conditions. The industry must balance what CAN be done versus what SHOULD be done to achieve profitability.

  • Industry and academia are sharing data.

    Outstanding examples of academic/industry partnerships have emerged within the CEA industry; however, there is a notable lack of production and operation costs data from industry partners. Because of this lack of transparency, projections from academic papers and models are potentially unrealistic. The result is a gap between theoretical and actual results that can lead to commercial failure.

  • The students are amazing!

    Twenty-four (!!) students gave 5-minute “Lightning Talks” of their research. All presentations were professional, engaging, and left me wanting to know MORE. Topics included light quality on plant growth, environmental impacts on quality, nutrient optimization, greenhouse design and new crop development. The future of the industry is truly in good hands.

The greatest value of Growing Plants in Space may indeed be opening the mind to dreams of the possible.
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