Scaling Sustainably for Major Growth: Key Takeaways from Indoor Ag-Con

This year, Indoor Ag-Con was packed, energizing and buzzing with business, but in a different way than previous years - the mood was more grounded, focused, and determined. We are all very well aware that the vertical farming industry has experienced significant setbacks in recent years, but those challenges have built resilience and sharpened the focus on business and technology fundamentals for long-term success. 

The Shift from Hype to Measurable Progress

At the CEA State of the Industry session, Tom Stenzel of the CEA Alliance and industry leading panelists provided a clear-eyed and hopeful picture of where we stand today. The TLDR:

🌱 The industry is moving past early turbulence and into a phase of structured growth. The initial wave of enthusiasm has transformed into a pragmatic approach to profitable scaling. 

🌱 Unrealistic valuations and expectations from 5-10 years ago have been recalibrated. The focus now? Unit economics, retailer relationships, and business fundamentals. 

🌱 CEA is not just about technology—it’s about rethinking how we grow food. At its core, we’re farmers first; technology is a tool, not the endgame. 

🌱 Demand is no longer the issue—the bottleneck is capacity. The next decade is about scaling up. CEA can’t remain a niche within the salad category; it needs to redefine the category itself. 

🌱 Policy is still a wildcard. The impact of #MAHA and other policies remains uncertain, but the CEA Alliance is working hard to ensure CEA is integrated into broader agricultural policy and USDA initiatives.

CEA is in more demand than ever, and it’s only up from here

Despite past challenges, vertical farming is still very much alive. At Indoor Ag-Con, I had the chance to meet and hear from inspiring companies making healthy progress in the space. Exciting vertical farming leaders like 80 Acres, Growy, AeroFarms, UnTill, UP Vertical Farms, Babylon Micro-Farms, and Cai Foods are demonstrating resilience and innovation. At the same time, greenhouse companies like BrightFarms, Little Leaf, and Gen V are driving forward with strong momentum. The industry is not just surviving—it’s evolving and strengthening.

Several industry leaders echoed this sentiment across key discussions, as highlighted by Henry Gordon-Smith of Agritecture in his recent post on Linkedin:

-Pierre Marc de Champlain (Sobeys, at the CEA Alliance annual meeting) shared that "CEA-grown salads are trending upwards and have tripled their share in recent years." While starting from a small baseline, this signals strong consumer and retailer demand—a sign the industry is moving into its next phase.

-Abby Prior (BrightFarms) emphasized that "indoor-grown greens is the only category growing and will do $500 million this year—over 20% of the Northeast market." This growth has happened in just a decade—an impressive pace for any agricultural transformation.

-Tisha Livingston (Infinite Acres) pointed out that demand is so strong that acquiring Kalera was necessary to increase supply, further proving that the sector’s growth is both real and needed.

Henry Gordon-Smith summarized this well: "For entrepreneurs, investors, and operators, the message is clear: CEA-grown greens are thriving, the demand is strong, and those who can meet it efficiently will win. This isn’t just good for one company—it’s good for the entire industry."

The demand for fresh, local, CEA-grown greens is no longer a question—it’s a fact. The challenge now is ensuring the industry can scale sustainably and profitably. After 

Let’s scale–sustainably

With growth comes the need for efficiency. Scaling profitably means optimizing every input—energy, water, labor, and substrates. This is where innovation in sustainable growing practices is critical.

Consumers increasingly demand pesticide-free, fresher, higher-quality produce year-round. The push for clean, sustainably grown food isn’t just a passing trend—it’s the future. While traditional outdoor agriculture faces mounting challenges, from climate change to resource scarcity, indoor farming is becoming more efficient and better positioned to meet these expectations at scale. The industry’s next leap forward must ensure that growth is achieved with minimal waste and a closed-loop mindset.

This is where Re-Nuble plays a critical role. Re-Nuble’s ReNu Terra Mats are designed to help indoor farms scale efficiently while reducing waste. As a circular, soil-free growing medium, they provide a sustainable, cost-effective peat and coco coir alternative for microgreesns and baby greens that align with the industry’s need to optimize while keeping production environmentally responsible.

What makes ReNu Terra Mats stand out? 

✅ These bio-based grow mats drive superior crop growth, optimize water and oxygen levels, cut down pathogen risks, and, most importantly, drive better yields. 

 ✅ They are 100% bio-based and biodegradable, ensuring sustainability without compromising performance.

✅ Made from proprietary woven jute, ReNu Terra Mats are ideal for commercial vertical farms, greenhouses, and home growers alike, and are on track to being OMRI certified, Kosher certified and 100% biobased certified within Q2 2025.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your farm’s efficiency and sustainability while keeping up with the demand for CEA-grown greens, explore how ReNu Terra Mats can support your growth. Learn more and contact us here. 

The future of CEA is bright—but it will take smart strategies and sustainable solutions to ensure it thrives. Let’s build that future together.

— Alina Zolotareva, RDN, Founder of Fresh Future Consulting. You can reach Alina and learn more here.