Controlled Environment Agriculture Presentation
Talking Plants, Robot Staff, Automation, Magic Lights: New Technology in Greenhouse Production
Event Timing: 11:00 a.m. - Noon CST, November 20, 2025
Event Location: Online
The Sustainability Office at the University of Regina is excited to announce an upcoming presentation by Dr. Deborah Henderson.
Dr. Henderson, Director, Institute for Sustainable Horticulture and BC Regional Innovation Chair, since 2005, leads an active applied research program in biological and non-chemical management of agricultural and landscape pests and diseases, and integration of agri-tech to build resilient cropping systems including Controlled Environment Agriculture systems. Before joining KPU in 2005, she founded and led E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. to offer Integrated Pest Management services and research that integrated biocontrols and alternatives to pesticides into vegetable and berry crop production. The service reduced pesticide use substantially and the company is still an integral part of the BC agriculture industry. This experience included developing biologically-based pest management programs for greenhouse strawberry and cane fruit. Her Institute has had more than 100 industry and NGO partners to bring environmentally-protective technologies and products to agriculture and horticulture in Canada and internationally. In 2019, she received the NSERC Synergy Award for these partnerships. Her research continues to be industry-relevant and focused on cost-effective practical solutions for pests, diseases and future-proofing agriculture.
Dr. Henderson will present on "Talking Plants, Robot Staff, Automation, Magic Lights: New Technology in Greenhouse Production." Agritech innovations are coming fast and furiously, especially to the greenhouse sector. For all growing systems, sustainability is becoming more urgent, along with strengthening our food security, protecting the environment, and carbon-neutrality in all human endeavors. We are depending on technology and AI is central to many recent agri-innovations. For the past two years they have screened a series of innovations in “proof of concept” greenhouse strawberry production and arrived at a few which they believe will make a difference to the bottom line. Year-round production requires lights which are expensive and energy intensive. Other agri-tech will need to balance the extra cost with extra savings. What will it take? In this presentation, Dr. Henderson will share experiences with integration of agri-technologies into greenhouse production.
Event Details
November 20, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM