The 2024 GLASE Summit, recently held at the St. Paul Hotel in Montréal, Quebec, gathered a diverse group of 90 participants from various sectors within the greenhouse industry. This included growers, researchers, manufacturers, educators, policymakers, industry experts, and students, all converging to discuss the innovative applications of dynamic lighting in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). This event marks the third Summit hosted by GLASE since its inception in 2022, following previous gatherings in Ithaca, NY, and Leamington, ON. The next Summit is scheduled for November 2025, with its location yet to be announced.
The Summit commenced with an introduction from GLASE Executive Director Gretchen Schimelpfenig, followed by a welcoming address from Louis Brun, CEO and co-founder of Sollum Technologies, which is also an anchor partner for this year’s event. The discussions centred on how advanced lighting systems, combined with automation technology, offer significant potential to enhance crop production while minimising energy consumption.
Tessa Pocock, an esteemed lighting expert with over 40 years of horticultural experience, delivered the keynote address titled "Lighting and Nature vs. Nurture in Plants". Pocock shared insights regarding the crucial role of light in plant biology, particularly the importance of circadian rhythms, as well as the effects of pulse width modulation and frequency modulation on horticultural lighting systems. Attendees were encouraged to engage in discourse, posing questions about future research possibilities related to pulsed lighting controls operating at high frequencies.
The Summit also featured a series of panels and presentations that highlighted grower experiences and cutting-edge research. Noteworthy participants included U.S. growers Bob Jones from The Chef’s Garden and Holly Counter Beaver from Finn & Roots, who engaged in dialogue with Quebec grower Robert Thérien of Les Serres Point du Jour. This grower panel explored the transformative role of dynamic lighting in their operations, providing practical examples of how advanced lighting and automation technologies are being integrated into their agricultural practices.
Researcher panels brought together insights from leading academics and industry experts, including Neil Mattson from Cornell University, Valérie Gravel from McGill University, and Tim Shelford, who represents both Cornell and Rutgers University. These presentations delved into the scientific foundation of dynamic lighting, demonstrating methodical approaches to measuring its impact on greenhouse-grown crops. Attendees learned about advancements such as hyperspectral imaging technology and new spectral sensors designed for agricultural applications.
A particularly engaging session featured Don Cronin from IUNU, who introduced an AI-driven crop registration technology. Cronin provided attendees with a preview of a generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) tool aimed at assisting growers, showcasing its potential applications across the industry. Additionally, Ryder Lane from Hoogendoorn Growth Management demonstrated climate control automation solutions, both with and without AI integration, illustrating how software can streamline the control of dynamic lighting settings.
The Summit concluded with a networking reception sponsored by Vivid Canopy, offering attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss potential collaborations in an informal setting. This event not only facilitated knowledge transfer among industry peers but also fostered international relations within the greenhouse sector, positioning participants for future growth and innovation. The discussions and presentations at the Summit highlight the ongoing evolution of greenhouse practices, driven in large part by advancements in lighting technology and automation, affirming the industry’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Source: Noah Wire Services