08/01/2026
📊 Better Data, Smarter Farming: Visibility Matters in Greenhouse Operations 🌱
Neda, CEO of Microclimates, returns to the Vertical Farming Podcast to champion the critical role of environmental monitoring in CEA. Her recent collaboration with Gretchen on the CalNEX Project shines a spotlight on the power of “smarter rooms” and actionable data to drive energy savings and operational excellence.
Key Insights from the Episode:
✅ Environmental Visibility: Most growers are collecting data—but not enough. One sensor in a greenhouse isn’t enough to reveal what crops are really experiencing.
✅ Complement, Don’t Replace: Upgrading monitoring can be seamless—no need to rip and replace existing control systems; complementary tech can fill blind spots and drive results.
âś… Tangible Benefits: Circuit-level energy monitoring and smarter controls reveal true overhead costs, enabling informed decisions and cost savings.
✅ Steps Toward AI: Without comprehensive, high-quality data, AI-driven automation remains out of reach—solid monitoring is the foundational first step.
✅ Start Small, Scale Smart: You don’t need to overhaul your entire operation overnight; start with one zone or room, learn, and iterate.
"At bare minimum, start monitoring. You don't necessarily need to jump from monitoring all the way to automation... you can start off with a few thousand dollars and just start monitoring, and then set your controls and automation, scale your operation, go one zone at a time." – Neda Vaseghi
Want to discover how smarter data can transform your operation? Search for the Vertical Farming Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite shows. 🎧👇
🎙 Don’t miss this episode!
Special Thanks to our Sponsor Partners:
CEA Summit East: https://lnkd.in/gDfWDCnc
2025 USA Indoor Farming Report: https://lnkd.in/g9mhXuS4
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BEIWxRA5VHE
📺 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52pIkgxpzbI8vEd6Z3c05p
🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/182-the-importance-of-smart-controls-in/id1511223976?i=1000779272911
OR Your Favorite Podcast App: https://www.podpage.com/vertical-farming-podcast/the-importance-of-smart-controls-in-transforming-greenhouse-operations/