GrowBig Consulting

Wow, Canopii, what an incredible journey it’s been! A little over a year ago, Melanie Yelton met with Justin Gravett, Sam Pepperwood, and David Ashton of Canopii. Canopii is building automated greenhouses to grow and harvest leafy greens and herbs. For over a year, GrowBig Consulting has been working with Canopii, supporting them as they design, develop, and now grow in an entirely new way. Check out this article, https://lnkd.in/g7As8vfh

This past week, GrowBig Consulting participated in two major conferences in San Antonio, Texas: the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), which welcomed over 1,000 teachers, and the Association for Career and Technical Education , attended by 5,000 career and technical educators. A key discussion surrounded how traditional education models, developed many years ago, are evolving with the integration of AI into the future of learning. Similarly, in agriculture, farmers are transitioning from using dashboards to engaging with AI-powered tools that summarize critical information, helping them make real-time adjustments to their growing systems. In line with this theme, Melanie Yelton led a workshop where participants explored the science of growing and discussed vital strategies for farmers to navigate the challenges of extended winters.

For two days, Melanie Yelton and Michael Schwieterman, Ph.D., from GrowBig Consulting, participated in FoodTech and AgTech 11: Conversations at Bonny Doon. The event featured intensive discussions on critical topics, including the impact of the election on agricultural policy, the influence of Ozempic on future food demands, and the growing inevitability of indoor aquaculture. A big thank you to Doon Insights for hosting this insightful event!

GrowBig Consulting and RAYN Growing Systems had the opportunity to showcase their CEA simulator prototype at the National FFA Organization in Indianapolis. The CEA simulator is designed to educate users and allow them to compare different growing techniques all within one system. Users can gain hands-on experience and learn techniques such as adjusting lighting and nutrient levels to increase yield. This system addresses both the goals of education and the science behind growing. Special thanks to Eli Weissman (He/Him) for testing the original base model. Teachers and students attending the conference were excited to test the simulator and consider incorporating it into their classrooms. We are now testing half a dozen systems in classrooms across Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, California, Wisconsin, and Nevada. Coming to a classroom near you! Interested in a CEA simulator? Please send a LinkedIn message to GrowBig Consulting for more details or email Melanie Yelton, melanie@growbig.ag.

This week, Melanie Yelton of GrowBig Consulting will lead us through a discussion session on Controlled Environment Agriculture: Why and When?   🌿 Join Us for the 11th Annual AgTech Salon in Bonny Doon! 🌿 Engage in meaningful conversations shaping the future of AgTech at our unique square table setup where everyone is a speaker and a listener.    🔗 Applied to Attend: https://lnkd.in/gTrXva6B   This year we’re introducing new “Something On My Mind” (SOMM) mini-sessions—15-minute power talks on the future of AgTech, covering everything from digitalization to insect protein for animal feed.   This salon is sponsored by The Mixing Bowl and Sidley Austin LLP   #AgTech #FoodTech #Innovation #Sustainability #AI #AgtechSalon #FutureOfFood 

GrowBig Consulting is looking forward to Doon Insights 11th Annual AgTech Conference in Bonny Doon, a gathering of investors to explore the climate of AgTech Today. Melanie Yelton will be presenting Controlled Environment Agriculture: Why and When? Reflecting on the recent turmoil we have seen in CEA. Check out other expert discussion panels and 10 mini-sessions to explore diverse topics and drive ongoing conversations. https://lnkd.in/gTrXva6B 📅 Event Details: AgTech Salon: November 20th FoodTech Salon: November 21st Location: Bonny Doon, CA   #AgTech #FoodTech #TechConference #BonnyDoon #Networking #Innovation #Sustainability #AIinAg #Agriculture #TechSalon

We’re excited to share that Canopii was recently featured on the front page of Capital Press, a leading agricultural newspaper on the West Coast. In this article, Capital Press explores how our innovative greenhouse technology aims to make year-round local production more viable through cost-effective robotics. The piece highlights the hard work we've put into developing our greenhouse solutions and the partnerships we’ve built along the way. At Canopii, we are focused on farming. Or in other words, we are focused on margins. As we look to the future, we’re confident that our greenhouse technology will demonstrate—through data-driven results—how it can boost profits for growers in all four seasons while also using environmentally friendly practices.

Recently, Grow Big Consulting visited Hippo Harvest. Melanie Yelton and Michael R. Baldwin had the pleasure of meeting with, Thérèse LaRue, Senior Plant Scientist of Hippo Harvest for a tour. It has been rewarding working with Hippo Harvest for the past year as a consultant. We are truly impressed by the farm's progress. The farm uses robotics uniquely and efficiently throughout the greenhouse to leafy green production. The robots perform a variety of operational tasks. Congratulations! Hip Hip Hippo Harvest!