CEAg World has selected the finalists for its inaugural CEAg World Impact Awards.
The awards recognize individuals contributing to the development and growth of food production in protected environments. After gathering nominations from industry professionals and reviewing the CEA landscape for candidates across different sectors, CEAg World editors have announced the finalists in four categories.
The Innovator Award recognizes an entrepreneur or leader who has pioneered and implemented a new tool, concept, or practice with significant implications for CEA. This award highlights someone who has applied expertise to bring measurable improvements for growers in areas such as productivity, sustainability, and farm success. The finalists are Sam Bertram, CEO and co-founder of OnePointOne in Scottsdale, Arizona; Corey Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Growcer in Ottawa, Ontario; and Moein Moosavi-Nezhad, a Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University.
The Visionary Grower Award honors an individual who has created meaningful change within their own CEA operation, resulting in advances in yield, resource efficiency, or profitability. The selection also considers contributions to land stewardship, resource conservation, environmental preservation, and food security. The finalists are Bill Ferguson, co-owner of Riley Creek Farms in Echo, Alabama; Nona Yehia, CEO and co-founder of Vertical Harvest in Jackson, Wyoming; and Renato Zardo, director of growing at Great Lakes Growers in Burton, Ohio.
The Emerging Leader Award highlights a rising professional in CEA who demonstrates promise through new solutions, strategic thinking, or leadership in their community or industry. This award is intended for someone shaping the future of agriculture through technologies and ideas that improve productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. The finalists are Danielle Rose, founder of Ceragen in Kitchener, Ontario; Gretchen Schimelpfenig, executive director of GLASE and senior energy engineer at ERI in Burlington, Vermont; and Trevor Terry, executive director of the Kentucky Horticulture Council in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Educator/Researcher Award recognizes an individual whose contributions have advanced CEA methods through research, education, and outreach. This category emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge that enhances practices, sustainability, and productivity in the industry. Nominees must be employed by a college, university, or research facility. The finalists are Ricardo Hernandez, associate professor at North Carolina State University; Chieri Kubota, professor and director of CEARC at The Ohio State University; and Roberto Lopez, associate professor at Michigan State University.
One winner in each category will be announced and recognized on stage during the opening kickoff of the CEAg World Conference and Expo on November 20, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina. Additional details about the finalists will be shared on the CEAg World website, newsletters, and social media in the weeks leading up to the event. The finalists will also be featured in a special section of the upcoming CEAg World Industry Report: State of the CEA Industry.
For more information:
CEAg World
ceagworld.com
