Indoor Horticulture Technology Resources for Kentucky Growers

Abstract: Indoor Horticulture Technology Resources for Kentucky Growers This project aims to support current and future commercial growers using controlled-environment horticulture techniques. Kentucky is poised to become an industry leader nationally in controlled- environment agriculture, with the recent construction and sale of several high-tech greenhouse operations and increased interest among the state''s >1500 smaller commercial tunnel/greenhouse growers in selling specialty crops in local markets, year-round. While the larger facilities are equipped with in-house expertise in the economical application of high-end technology products to serve their needs, most smaller operations must carefully weigh the costs and benefits of automation/technology investments in their horticulture production. Specifically, greenhouse lighting and soilless selection are areas of interest for many growers because in combination with a climate-control system, these would enable true season-independent horticulture production. This project will address knowledge gaps to increase adoption and improve success rates of greenhouse technology implementation among Kentucky''s high tunnel and greenhouse growers. We will accomplish this through a) new resource development (e.g., there have not been any recent Kentucky Extension guides published specific to greenhouse lighting although modern developments in lighting technology have vastly expanded the options available on the market) and b) dissemination and outreach work to educate growers on how to navigate the decision of whether and how to introduce new controlled- environment technology or techniques in their system. These resources and outreach will focus on the areas of greenhouse lighting and soilless substrates.