Target Industry Sector:

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

What is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)?

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) (NAICS codes 111400, 112500, 115000) is a key target industry sector for Southern Virginia, offering innovative solutions for sustainable food production.  CEA involves the cultivation of plants and animals in highly controlled environments, such as greenhouses, indoor farms, and aquaculture facilities. This sector uses advanced technology to optimize growing conditions, improve yield, and ensure sustainable production of food and agricultural products.

What are the opportunities for entrepreneurs in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)?

Opportunities for entrepreneurs in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in Southern Virginia are vast and growing. Entrepreneurs can take advantage of the region’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and agricultural technology to launch ventures in vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, and greenhouse production. With increasing demand for locally grown, sustainable food, there is room for businesses to provide fresh produce year-round to local markets, restaurants, and retailers. Additionally, entrepreneurs can explore creating technology solutions for automation, climate control, and data analytics to improve efficiency in CEA operations. Southern Virginia’s supportive business environment, including access to investment incentives, research institutions, and partnerships with local economic development programs, further amplifies the potential for entrepreneurial success in this sector.

Resources for Entrepreneurs in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Industry

CEA Innovation Center

CEA Innovation Center

Located in Danville, VA

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The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center is a joint project between Virginia Tech, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and industry that is working to advance the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector in Virginia, the U.S., and internationally through leveraging our collective resources, skills, and expertise by addressing the needs of the industry with research, education, and extension programs.

Indoor Ag-Con East

Indoor Ag-Con East

Hosted in Danville, VA

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Indoor Ag-Con is the premier event covering the technology of growing crops in indoor systems, using hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic techniques. Editions have featured keynotes from leaders in farming, supplier, technology, customer, government and academic sectors. The events unite growers, investors, real estate developers, agtech leaders, produce buyers, academics, policymakers, industry suppliers and advocates. They come together for lively discussions of the industry’s promise, issues and future across formal conference proceedings, practical mini workshops and exhibits. For several years, Indoor Ag-Con East has been hosted in Danville, Virginia at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, in partnership with the CEA Innovation Center.

 

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Local Extension Offices Across Virginia

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 Virginia Cooperative Extension strives to improve the well-being of Virginians and increase producers’ profitability through programs that help put research-based knowledge to work in people’s lives. Agriculture programs help sustain the profitability of agricultural production and enhance and protect the quality of Virginia’s land and water resources.

 

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