Hydroponic Leafy Greens Take Center Stage at GreenTech Americas 2025
The leafy greens industry in North America has experienced explosive growth over the past few years, driven by rising consumer demand for high-quality, pesticide-free, and year-round fresh produce. As the sector continues to expand, ensuring precision and efficiency at every stage—from variety selection to automation and packaging—has become critical for long-term success. In Central and South America, a similar shift is underway, with supermarkets and consumers increasingly favoring cleaner, soil-free products alongside stable year-round supplies. Traditional outdoor farming in these regions faces mounting challenges such as drought stress, unpredictable weather patterns, and soil-borne diseases, reinforcing hydroponic cultivation as an attractive solution for growers seeking stability and sustainability.
As controlled environment agriculture (CEA) gains traction across the Americas, hydroponics is emerging as a cornerstone method to meet evolving market demands. To address this growing interest, Cultivators, in collaboration with BASF|Nunhems, Green Automation, and JASA Packaging Solutions, is hosting an exclusive workshop on hydroponic leafy greens cultivation during GreenTech Americas 2025. The event will take place at the Querétaro Centro de Congresos on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025.
Bringing Expertise to the Americas
“This workshop represents a pivotal moment in Cultivators’ mission to share expertise in hydroponic leafy greens cultivation throughout North, Central, and South America,” said the organizing team. Following the resounding success of the inaugural two-day Leafy Hydroponics Summit (LHS) held in the Netherlands in 2024, Cultivators has solidified LHS as an annual event, with the next edition scheduled for June 16-17th, 2025, in the Netherlands. Building on global interest and positive feedback from last year’s summit, the Mexico workshop aims to localize the conversation for growers and professionals across the Americas.
Titled “Everything You Have to Know About Cultivating Hydroponic Leafy Greens,” the workshop will run from 8:30 AM to 10:55 AM local time, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field while networking with fellow horticultural professionals. With limited spots available, the intimate setting ensures personalized interaction and meaningful discussions during the session.
What to Expect
At the core of the workshop is an in-depth exploration of hydroponic leafy greens cultivation, delivered through expert-led presentations:
- Sonny Moerenhout , Managing Partner of Cultivators and a greenhouse specialist, will kick off the session by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of hydroponic leafy cultivation. Drawing on his extensive experience in licensed cannabis and hydroponic lettuce production, Sonny will share practical insights that attendees won’t want to miss.
- Carlos H. Umana , Technical Sales Manager at BASF, will delve into the critical aspects of variety selection and risk mitigation in greenhouse planning and design tailored to local conditions. With nearly two decades of experience in vegetable seeds and a focus on leafy crops in controlled environments, Carlos will offer actionable advice for optimizing hydroponic operations.
- Patrik Borenius , CEO of Green Automation, will highlight the transformative role of cutting-edge automation systems in maximizing yields for hydroponic leafy greens. Leveraging his expertise in managing international projects and working with some of the highest-yielding hydroponic lettuce systems, Patrik will demonstrate how automation can enhance efficiency and productivity.
- Joost Somford from JASA Packaging Solutions will explore the intersection of sustainability and packaging within the hydroponic industry. With over a decade of experience in greenhouse technologies and packaging solutions, Joost will discuss innovations in post-harvest automation and resource optimization, helping participants align their practices with both environmental goals and market demands.
Practical Knowledge, Not Sales Pitches
“Like the Leafy Hydroponics Summit, this workshop focuses on delivering practical, real-world knowledge from top industry experts—not sales pitches,” emphasized the team. Whether you’re new to hydroponics or an experienced grower looking to refine your approach, this event promises valuable insights that can be immediately applied to improve your business.
Looking Ahead
In addition to the workshop, Cultivators is currently finalizing partnerships for the 2025 Leafy Hydroponics Summit. Stay tuned for updates via Cultivators’ social media channels and website as more details are revealed about this landmark event in the hydroponic leafy greens industry. For those attending GreenTech Americas 2025, the workshop serves as an ideal starting point for a three-day journey into the future of sustainable agriculture.
Join us in Querétaro to discover how hydroponic leafy greens are reshaping the agricultural landscape—and secure your spot in what promises to be an enlightening and impactful experience.
