10 Steps to Break into the Controlled Environment Agriculture Industry

In response to the keen interest expressed by my readership on LinkedIn, this week's newsletter dives deep into the challenging yet rewarding realm of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Judging by the poll results, it's clear that a significant number of you are eager to learn the ropes and "break into" the CEA sector, a vibrant industry encompassing greenhouses and vertical farming.?

Given the pace at which this industry is evolving, it's not surprising that many are drawn to its potential and the fascinating opportunities it presents. The CEA sector, while rooted in time-tested agricultural practices, constantly embraces innovation and cutting-edge technologies, making it a?dynamic and exciting field to venture into.?

Building on Past Insights?

Capitalizing on the collective curiosity expressed, this article is not just a?mere compilation of facts and figures. Instead, it builds on my previous articles and insights on the topic, especially one of the most well-received ones from 2018: I Want to be an Agritect. Drawing from these past resources, the aim is to provide a?comprehensive and updated guide for those ready to embark on this journey.?

Charting Your Path in CEA: Ten Key Recommendations?

As you step into the world of CEA, the road ahead may seem daunting. Yet, armed with the right knowledge and guidance, you can navigate this terrain with confidence. Here, we present ten pivotal recommendations to assist you in carving out your unique path in the CEA sector. These suggestions are not just mere steps but are tailored to guide, inspire, and empower you to make a significant mark in this burgeoning field.

1. Set Your Values and Align Your Compass

Before taking the plunge into any industry, it's essential to take a moment for introspection and self-reflection. Ask yourself some pivotal questions: What are your aspirations within this sector? What drives you, and what are the core values that you hold dear? It's not just about identifying a career path, but understanding the deeper motivations that fuel your passion and drive.

Gaining this clarity is more than just a preliminary step; it's the foundation upon which you can build a fulfilling career. With a clear understanding of your goals and values, you can then strategically navigate the myriad of roles and opportunities the industry presents. Seek out those positions and projects that resonate with your personal and professional objectives. By aligning your career trajectory with your intrinsic motivations, you not only set yourself up for success but also ensure that your journey in the industry is marked by genuine satisfaction, purpose, and long-term fulfillment.

Try this activity to apply this step: Imagine yourself working in CEA in 5 years. Where do you work? What is a typical day like for you? Write this vision out and focus on it while updating it as you learn more about what you like and what you are great at.?

2. Build Your Archive of CEA Data and Knowledge

Immersing yourself in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) universe is an important early step. This involves extensive reading of blogs, academic journals, and data compilation. It is crucial to comprehend the technological strides, the investments at play, the successful models, as well as the failed ventures. Regularly subscribing to industry-specific journals, analyzing case studies, and staying abreast with the latest trends are all part of this initial learning curve.?

Indeed, the industry can present a dearth of reliable data, making it arduous to authenticate. This scarcity becomes even more pronounced when dealing with more novel integrations of CEA like rooftops and certain vertical farms. One of the most efficient and potent strategies to sharpen your career trajectory in this burgeoning industry is to create and meticulously maintain your personal archive. This serves as a valuable tool for professional development.?

Your archive is essentially a reservoir of data, examples, brochures, economic models, and ideas that you can tap into when required. For instance, some of my archive is publicly accessible at agritecture.com and is supplemented by my private Google Drive. This step is about getting educated and making sure what you learn is available to you when you need it.?

Try this activity to apply this step: Identify three categories that hold importance for you (such as lighting, HVAC, regions or business models) and start collating information from diverse sources like events, the internet, or even your own operations if applicable.

3. Grow Your Network of CEA Contacts

Engaging in purposeful networking forms the bedrock of success in the controlled environment agriculture industry. It is key to remember that networking is not simply a?one-way street of taking; it involves giving as well. When interacting with growers, consultants, funders, and other industry stakeholders, strive to offer value in return. This could be in the form of sharing insightful information, providing constructive feedback, or even lending a?sympathetic ear. Cultivating this reciprocal relationship paves the way for mutual trust, which in turn opens doors to future opportunities.?

The importance of a reliable network cannot be overstated, especially in the field of urban agriculture. A rewarding practice involves extending assistance to a contact and later soliciting their help when necessary. This dynamic exchange fosters meaningful professional relationships, especially when executed with a sense of propriety. In an industry as nascent as ours, the essence of collaboration is indispensable for achieving success.?

Construct your network to include a diverse yet strategic selection of individuals whom you trust and can share knowledge with. These individuals can provide guidance, facilitate introductions, and offer mentorship to support your career progression. However, it is equally important to reciprocate this support. A one-sided relationship is unlikely to inspire your contacts to include you within their circle of trust.

Try this activity to apply this step:?Create a calendar booking link and write a short message about your goals to 10 new people on LinkedIn. On the calls, offer them something. Reflect on the results and improve your approach.?

4.?Get Hands-on Experience in Farming

There's no substitute for hands-on experience. Volunteer at a local farm, offer to barter a skill you possess, or intern with a CEA startup. This will not only give you practical knowledge but also show potential employers your dedication and passion.?

Breaking into the controlled environment agriculture industry may present significant challenges, especially for those with backgrounds in business and technology rather than farming operations. Many of the key issues impacting its viability hinge on skilled cultivators, a demographic that can be difficult to impress without hands-on experience. Early career rejections are not uncommon; even roles not directly associated with plant cultivation may require specific knowledge of the journey from seed to harvest.?

These hurdles, however, should not be seen as deterrents. Instead, they offer valuable insights into the industry. Many entrants to the sector, particularly those originating from urban environments, such as Hong Kong or Tokyo, may find the idea of food production both thrilling and intimidating.?

One effective route to gaining industry respect is through volunteering at community farms or commercial hydroponic greenhouses, such as I did for HarlemGrown or Sky Vegetables. Granted, the work can be physically demanding, often requiring early starts and exposure to challenging climates. Yet, the hands-on experience gained through such initiatives is invaluable and can be pivotal to achieving success within the industry.?

The ability to converse knowledgeably about specific greenhouse operations, crops, deficiencies, food safety protocols, and labor challenges can dramatically alter perceptions. With increased experience and knowledge, industry recognition often follows, leading to recommendations and referrals from growers and operators.

Try this activity to apply this step:?Think about something you are naturally good at and have experience in. Research farms that appear to be weak in those areas and offer them free services in exchange for hands-on experience.?

5. Stay Updated with Current Events

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry is no stranger to the cyclical nature of business, experiencing its peaks and troughs. It's imperative for stakeholders to stay attuned to these downturns, taking the time to analyze and comprehend the reasons leading to industry bankruptcies. With such insights at hand, one can navigate the sector more adeptly, making informed decisions and proactively preparing for future market trends.?

Try this activity to apply this step:?Subscribe to Agritecture's newsletter to know about upcoming news and trends.

6. Share Your Perspective

Your perspective, shaped by your experiences and insights, is truly invaluable in the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture. One of the most effective ways to share this unique viewpoint is by guest blogging on renowned platforms such as Agritecture. Additionally, consider speaking at industry events, workshops, or seminars. If you're inclined towards digital media, launching your own podcast or YouTube channel can be a fantastic avenue to disseminate your knowledge and engage with a wider audience. Doing so not only cements your position as a thought leader in the field but also creates ample opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Furthermore, a proactive approach to expanding your network is to become a beacon of knowledge and insight, drawing people towards you. Publishing content consistently, whether it's research findings, opinion pieces, or case studies, can be instrumental in achieving this. I can personally attest to the power of this strategy. A significant factor behind my success has been my unwavering dedication to sharing my vision of urban agriculture with the world. Embrace the journey of learning and discovery, and don't hesitate to share your learnings, no matter how big or small. Every piece of content you put out there adds value to the community and reinforces your position within it.

Try this activity to apply this step:?Comment on the news. Choose a recent news story and write a 300-word LinkedIn post about what you think about it. Try this for 10 weeks straight and you will have your voice nailed down by the end of it.?

7. Build Your Professional Brand

In today's rapidly evolving digital era, the footprint you leave online is more significant than ever before. It's not just about being present on the internet; it's about how you present yourself. Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and even your personal website or blog are often the first point of contact for potential employers, collaborators, or clients. It's crucial that these platforms not only showcase your CV but also project a consistent, polished, and professional image of who you are. Beyond just the aesthetics, your digital brand should be a mirror to your passion for the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) sector. It should highlight your expertise, underscore your values, and give viewers a sense of your commitment and dedication to the industry. Remember, in the digital realm, you're not just competing locally but globally, so make every pixel and every word count.

Try this activity to apply this step:?Ask some of your colleagues at current or previous work about how they would describe you. Understand the brand impression you are making now so you can either build upon that or transform it.?

8. Attend Industry Events

Engaging in industry events, which include the likes of conferences, seminars, and workshops, are pivotal experiences for professionals seeking to broaden their perspectives and strengthen their professional connections. These events are more than just traditional networking platforms where business cards are passed around. They are vibrant hubs of knowledge, teeming with the most recent technological breakthroughs and emerging industry trends. When you choose to participate in such gatherings, you're doing more than just occupying a?chair; you're plunging into a?wealth of expertise, soaking up insights that could potentially steer the course of your career or business pursuits.?

However, the true worth of these events isn't rooted in mere attendance. The real magic unfolds in the active engagement —?whether through lively debates, contributing to panel discussions, or raising thought-stirring questions. Such interactions not only boost your learning but also etch your presence into the memory of other participants. Simply being present is just the initial step; immersing yourself in the conversation is where the true expansion occurs. By persistently and sincerely striving to engage, share, and learn, you're doing more than just augmenting your knowledge base. You're establishing your reputation as an engaged, proactive, and indispensable member of the wider industry community.

Try this activity to apply this step:?Write to events and offer to moderate panels or volunteer to help with sessions or even recommend speakers.?Also, check out Agritecture's event listings.

9.?Build or Join a Collective

Assuming a?leadership position or even participating actively within an association can significantly elevate one's influence and professional network. Associations inherently gather individuals with shared interests, creating a?fertile ground for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective advancement. Whilst global associations impart a?diverse set of viewpoints and extensive outreach, focusing on regional groups can offer distinct benefits.?

Regional associations allow their members to explore the intricacies of local markets in depth, gaining insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within that specific region. This concentrated focus stimulates more intimate collaborations and fosters a community where members can collaboratively develop solutions tailored to their local context. For example, pioneering the establishment of the Association of Vertical Farming and the NYC Agriculture Collective, despite being a demanding endeavor requiring steadfast commitment, was notably impactful for my career.?

This journey, although taxing, was rewarding in multiple ways with a?well-structured approach and a?clear plan. It not only created a?forum for innovation and collaboration but also acted as a?springboard for rapid network expansion. This undertaking connected with industry pace-setters, innovators, and fervent professionals in the field, thereby demonstrating the potential of regional collectives.

Try this activity to apply this step:?Check out NYC AgTech Week

10. Leverage Digital Tools

In today's digital age, platforms like Agritecture Designer are at the forefront of transforming how we engage with, learn about, and make decisions in the CEA sector. These digital hubs have evolved into indispensable repositories of knowledge, seamlessly bridging the gap between novices and industry veterans. They offer a rich tapestry of resources, ranging from in-depth online courses that demystify both foundational concepts and the more nuanced facets of the industry, to a wealth of market data that sheds light on prevailing trends and future projections. Furthermore, the inclusion of sophisticated economic modeling tools empowers users to make informed, strategic decisions, ensuring they remain ahead of the curve.

The beauty of these platforms lies in their versatility and breadth of content. Whether you're just dipping your toes into the world of CEA or you're a seasoned expert looking to refine your expertise, there's a wealth of information tailored to your needs. By actively engaging with and utilizing these resources, individuals can significantly enhance their grasp of the industry's complexities. More than just knowledge repositories, these platforms serve as catalysts, enabling users to confidently tackle the multifaceted business challenges of CEA, armed with insights, data, and a sharpened skill set.

Try this activity to apply this step:?Sign up for the Agritecture Designer Advisor Bundle for personalized guidance every step of the way.?

Bringing it all Together

In conclusion, it's imperative to understand that establishing a?significant presence in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry is a?complex undertaking. This is not merely about possessing theoretical knowledge; rather, it encompasses blending that knowledge with strategic networking, acquiring tangible hands-on experience, and developing a?personalized brand that aligns with your core values and goals. The voyage into and through the CEA industry requires unwavering commitment, fervent passion, and a?meticulously planned strategy.?

Nevertheless, with the correct mindset and resources at your disposal, it's more than achievable to not only participate in this vibrant industry but to ascend as a?beacon and leader within it. As you set sail on this thrilling journey, treasure each educational experience and achievement. Every ounce of effort you invest, every link you establish, and every obstacle you surmount propels you forward, edging you closer to leaving a?permanent imprint in the sphere of Controlled Environment Agriculture.