Why Environmental Controls Are for Every Greenhouse Grower
April 16, 2025 The big players get to try the fancy toys first. They’ve got the bandwidth for it. But tools only available for the largest operations a year or two ago are now scaled for the rest. Small- and mid-sized growers can now use cutting-edge tech, especially for environmental controls. And the tech companies want to hear from you.
“While we’re known for high-tech solutions for large operations, we also offer competitive solutions that are very effective and easy to use for small- and mid-sized growers. For example, entry-level greenhouse control systems including sensors to control lighting, vents, irrigation, and weather monitoring can start around $6,000 while still offering robust features like online connectivity and modular expansion,” says Henry Vangameren, Regional Marketing Manager Americas at Priva.
“We have solutions tailored for both large-scale and small- to medium-sized growers. Our core solution is the IIVO system, which includes all the bells and whistles — intelligent algorithms, full automation, and advanced features,” says Luis Trujillo, President of Hoogendoorn USA. There’s a version for medium-sized growers, too. “For medium-sized growers, we offer the IIVO Compact. It’s a scaled-down version of our flagship system but still highly effective. We’ve recently upgraded it with new features that make it even more appealing for this segment.”
Many growers assume that big greenhouse tech companies only cater to large-scale operations, but that’s not the case anymore. “More sensors for leaf temperature, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and soil moisture are being used by growers to make data-driven decisions on climate and irrigation practices. Even smaller environmental control companies are incorporating these sensors into their offerings,” says Taylor Readyhough, BioTherm Northeastern Sales Rep. With premium products and tech aimed at small- to mid-sized growers, it might be time to take another look.
Autonomous Growing
It seems you can’t order a cup of coffee anymore without interfacing with a computer screen, but the fascination with AI (artificial intelligence) in the greenhouse isn’t going away. Maybe it’s because of labor or shiny new plant disease, as an old farmer I once knew described it, but the new computer-aided environmental controls are here to stay.
“I think the biggest trend, of course, is AI and autonomous growing. Everybody is talking about it. Everybody is asking about it. A lot of people are keeping their finger on the pulse,” says Vangameren.
He sees the transition toward AI-driven systems being pushed by the need to grow more crops with fewer people. “Many experienced growers and specialists are retiring, taking decades of knowledge with them. There aren’t enough young professionals entering the industry to replace them. The newer generation of growers is also looking for ways to run their businesses differently — more efficiently and with less time commitment than their predecessors,” says Vangameren.
‘Mom and Dad ran this business, and it was their entire life. They worked 80 to 90 hours per week, never had a weekend off, and couldn’t take a vacation. Now, I’m running the business, but that’s not how I want my life to look.’ It’s a common change that is driving many businesses to look toward more modern ways of managing their operations. From automating environmental controls to remote imaging for pest scouting and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) trackers for inventory, new greenhouse tech is changing how many businesses are run.
Experienced growers are retiring and taking that corporate knowledge with them. How is it going to be transferred or kept?
“The biggest pain points for growers are people, water, and time. With intelligent algorithms, growers can now manage twice the surface area they used to while reducing water usage and fertilizer costs,” says Trujillo. Monitoring happens in real-time, enabling the grower to make more informed decisions faster with the predictive strategies built into the systems.
Anticipating Environmental Conditions
A greenhouse exists and interacts with the physical conditions surrounding it: cold snaps, storms, heat waves, and cloudy days. The weather outside a greenhouse directly affects conditions under the glass. And reacting to those conditions can be a full-time job. Farmers always watch the weather, but a greenhouse grower can be obsessed with it. Perhaps one of the biggest changes in how environmental systems are controlled is the shift toward being predictive rather than reactive.
“Traditional systems were reactive. They turned heaters on or opened vents based on immediate conditions,” Vangameren says. He explains that today’s systems use predictive algorithms to anticipate changes days in advance, optimizing energy use, water management, and crop health while enabling better labor and resource planning. The theme now is predictive and scalable cultivation.
Alejandro Mejia, Service Manager and IA Specialist at Hoogendoorn, explains how it works.
“Our systems incorporate predictive strategies using advanced forecasting tools. For example, they analyze external conditions to create a three-day strategy that proactively adjusts temperature profiles and other parameters rather than reactively. This approach helps growers achieve better results while reducing manual intervention.”
Mejia says their systems also integrate local weather forecasts with real-time data from sensors installed at the greenhouse site. These sensors validate forecasts and fine-tune decisions based on actual conditions.
The three inputs of forecasts, external sensors, and internal sensors are all blended and synthesized using AI. He explains that intelligent algorithms analyze all this data so growers don’t have to interpret graphs manually or rely solely on sensors that might fail or be calibrated incorrectly. The system cross-checks calculated insights with sensor data to ensure accuracy.
More Focus on Grower Support
When asked what makes growers tear their hair out, both Vangameren and Trujillo mention support after the sale or the lack of it.
“Implementation is key here — not just selling the product but providing full-service solutions,” Trujillo says. “For instance, in the U.S., we’ve partnered with TC Control to ensure we have the staff and resources to handle installations and commissioning efficiently.” Choosing these new high-tech systems isn’t like the old days of buying a software program and installing it yourself.
“Support is key,” says Vangameren. “You can have the best technology in the world, but without proper support, customers won’t be happy. Growers often call us first — even for issues unrelated to our system — because they trust us to help solve problems quickly. Our open platform also sets us apart; it allows easy integration with new and emerging technologies, unlike some closed systems on the market.”
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on GreenhouseGrower.com, our sister brand.