Governor Glenn Youngkin proclaimed March as Virginia Controlled Environment Agriculture Month to highlight the importance and impact of next generation agriculture to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) utilizes innovations in technology in various growing methods such as hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and fogponics. These methods are used to grow produce in a variety of settings to include indoor farming, vertical farming, greenhouses, and protected cropping environments. Officials will recognize the CEA month by visiting operations around the state.

CEAs are helping to bolster Virginia’s agricultural industry and position the Commonwealth as a leader in next generation agriculture. Virginia has become the destination of choice for CEA operations to locate and expand, due to strategic access to domestic consumer markets, plentiful and competitively priced resources, a skilled workforce pipeline, and the availability of public and private partnerships. During the past year, the Commonwealth partnered with private sector innovators including Beanstalk Farms, Aerofarms, and Plenty Unlimited as they expanded, opened, and launched new CEA operations.

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