The American Society for Horticultural Science is inviting growers to the Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo on November 12 and 13, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel and Expo Center.
The conference will include a series of educational sessions, including discussions on Greenhouse Technology on Thursday, November 13. Presentations will cover topics such as drone crop monitoring in floriculture with Frans-Peter Dechering from Corvus Drones, greenhouse energy upgrades with Camilo Villouta from the University of Rhode Island and John Gedraitis from Van Berkum Nursery, and the use of plasma activated water to enhance plant vigor and pest tolerance, presented by Neil Mattson from Cornell University. This event provides a valuable opportunity to connect and learn about advancements in greenhouse technology.
© American Society for Horticultural ScienceFrom top left to bottom right: Frans-Peter Dechering, Camilo Villouta, John Gedraitis, Neil Mattson.
About the speakers
Frans-Peter Dechering is a seasoned manager and serial entrepreneur. He worked in many international companies in the Agrifood business as an employee, employer, and interim manager. He was an investor in several (bio)tech start-up companies and has experience from bankruptcy to successful exits. He has a marketing and finance background and is always bridging the gaps between technology and the daily operational (greenhouse) business and the boardroom. He was an active sportsman at the Dutch national level and is now a passionate kids' mountain bike trainer and coach.
Camilo Villouta is an Assistant Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture at the University of Rhode Island. His research focuses on plant physiology and root function in hydroponic systems, with the goal of improving production practices, resource use, and crop resilience in indoor farming.
John Gedraitis is the owner of Van Berkum Nursery, a wholesale perennial farm located in Deerfield, NH. With more than 20 years of horticultural experience and a forestry background, John honed his skills under the mentorship of Peter and Leslie Van Berkum and took over the nursery in 2021. Van Berkum specializes in high-quality, thoughtfully grown containerized perennials, emphasizing seed-grown natives, unique garden plants, and rugged groundcovers. Serving independent garden centers, horticultural institutions, and landscape professionals throughout New England, John and his team are committed to providing well-cultivated plants that enhance outdoor spaces and promote sustainable gardening practices. When John is not at the nursery, you can find him traipsing through New England's forests or adventuring with his lovely wife and two daughters, who call the nursery home.
Neil Mattson is a Professor and greenhouse extension specialist in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. Neil is the director of Cornell's Controlled Environment Agriculture program, and his research is focused on optimizing performance and resource use efficiency of vegetables, small fruits, and floriculture crops. Particular research interests include strategies to reduce energy use in CEA lighting through LED adoption and intelligent light controls, sustainable fertilization practices, and development of new CEA crops.
Registration is open at the link here.
