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Controlled Environment Agriculture Design Standards (CEADS): Purpose, Development, and Implementation

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2023 ASABE Annual International Meeting  2300135.(doi:10.13031/aim.202300135)
Authors:   Gary W Stutte, Charles H Parrish, II, Jessica M Bunchek, Weslynne S Ashton, Rebekah E Waller, Matthew Liotta, Simone Valle de Souza, Gene A Giacomelli, Tharindu P Weeraratne, Corinne Wilder, Brady Nemeth, Charles Wu, David Kessler, Mark G Lufsrud, Penny M
Keywords:   Benchmarks, Circular Bioeconomy, Controlled Environment Agriculture, Design Standards, Energy Use Efficiency, Equity, Greenhouses, Light Use Efficiency, Resilience, Sustainability, Vertical Farming, Water Use Efficiency.

Abstract. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is a technology-based approach to farming to optimize environmental conditions for plant growth while minimizing the use of resources such as land, energy and water. By creating ideal conditions for production these complex growing systems enable a significant improvement in product quality and continuous, year-round production regardless of regional climate conditions. These facilities have many forms - greenhouse, vertical farm, grow room, horizonal farm and container farm - but all share unique technical advantages that have positioned CEA to dominate the future of urban agriculture, in which affordable space is often the primary limiting factor in crop production. Producers within CEA face several challenges, including high energy costs and maintaining food safety when there is a high degree of material reuse and cycling.

The Controlled Environment Agriculture Design Standards (CEADS) project was launched in 2019, when CEA professionals from the private sector, government, and academia recognized the need to define goals for the sustainable advancement of the rapidly growing CEA industry. Encompassing the management of energy, water, materials, byproducts, pests, labor, finances, and equity concerns, CEADS prioritized industry-vetted best practices into quantifiable peer-reviewed standards. CEA enterprises can utilize CEADS to guide the entire planning, design, construction, operation and expansion phases of their growing facilities, enhancing long-term business success for a more resilient and sustainable CEA industry overall. This paper discusses the sustainability challenges facing CEA, the role of standards and other approaches for improving operational performance, and how CEADS has developed documentation to address these needs.

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