Year in review

February

HRI Leadership Academy introduces next class

AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) announced the second year of the HRI Leadership Academy, a one-year leadership program designed to develop the skills the green industry needs to perform better, grow faster and prepare for the future. Consisting of in-person training sessions and virtual online classes and meetings, the HRI Leadership Academy addresses the industry’s need for leadership development serving both current and future leaders. 

The Academy curriculum is designed specifically for the green industry and is organized in four modules: Strategy, Leadership and People Management, Numbers and Advocacy, and the Value Chain.

March

Local Bounti secures $145 million in financing

The Local Bounti Corporation secured a total of up to $145 million of new financing across two sources — the first through an amendment to its credit facility agreements with Cargill Financial Services International and the second, a sale-leaseback deal with an internally managed net-lease real estate investment trust. The combined financing supports Local Bounti's growth plans and immediate efforts to increase production to meet accelerating demand for the company's products.

April

Scientists warn of invasive thrips species

An invasive thrips species has started to wreak havoc in Florida. The insect was first detected in Florida in 2020 but has since spread significantly across the state. What once was isolated to greenhouses now has begun to harm a wide range of plants including those in residential landscapes. 

Thrips parvispinus — commonly known as pepper thrips — is one of the smallest thrips species in Florida. The pest has been detected on a wide variety of plants including 43 species from 19 plant families including ornamental plants, vegetables and fiber crops. 

Little Leaf Farms projects $100+ million in sales by the end of 2023

"We're incredibly excited about what the future holds for Little Leaf Farms," said Paul Sellew, founder and CEO of Little Leaf Farms. "We have an aggressive expansion goal of 100 acres under glass by 2026 and are well on our way to meeting that goal. We believe in the promise of CEA as a sustainable, scalable solution to the climate challenges facing field-grown crops and remain committed to our mission to bring fresh, sustainable leafy greens to all."

June

AeroFarms files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Vertical farming company AeroFarms filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware.

NatureSweet achieves B Corporation Certification

NatureSweet, the San Antonio-based tomato brand and greenhouse-grown produce company, earned B Corporation Certification. They say this makes them the largest Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) company in the world to do so.

The company’s first-time certification score of 114 points is 34 points above the minimum requirement. To become B Corp Certified, NatureSweet met rigorous benchmarks in several categories including Workers, Community, Customers, Environment and Governance. 

July

HILA Class of 2023 honored

Greenhouse Management magazine and Nursery Management magazine revealed the recipients of the 2023 Horticultural Industries Leadership Awards (HILA):

Mark and Jolly Krautmann, Heritage Seedlings; Jennifer Moss, Moss Greenhouses; Ed Overdevest, Overdevest Nurseries; Marcel Boonekamp, Green Circle Growers; Shawn Cox, Arizona Wholesale Growers; and Zachary Herrill, United Plant Growers.

Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ named Perennial of the Year

‘Jeana’ is an exceptional garden phlox, known for its impressive flowers that are held on tall and sturdy stems from midsummer to early fall. Hummingbirds, butterflies (especially Eastern Tiger Swallowtails) and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar-rich flowers. It was discovered by Jeana Prewitt along the Harpeth River near Nashville, Tennessee.

August

IUNU, Wageningen partner for autonomous growing solutions

Stichting Wageningen Research, research institute Wageningen Plant Research (WPR) and IUNU have entered into an agreement to work on closed-loop autonomous growing for the most common commercially grown lettuce varietals.

IUNU says it’s “the world’s first closed-loop, comprehensive autonomous growing solution developed for the greenhouse industry.” It uses computer vision to comprehensively monitor crop growth for every plant in the greenhouse and autonomously executes crop strategies based on how crops are performing.

RII pens water management guide

September

Minnesota bids for International Horticultural Expohost site

In September, the World’s Fair Bid Committee Educational Fund revealed its intent to bid to host the 2029 International Horticultural Expo in Minnesota. This would be the first time the Expo would be held in the United States. International Horticultural Exhibitions are hosted throughout the world on a rotating schedule and focus on the economic, social, environmental and cultural development objectives of a city or region on a fixed milestone. Official bids will be submitted in January 2024 and a host location will be selected in spring 2024 by the International Association of Horticultural Producers. Hosting this event would strengthen the international image and position of the host city, state and country. Host cities create parks and public spaces of recreational value for residents and tourists. The expo typically lasts three to six months and attracts millions of visitors.