Growing by Plant Empowerment Workshop

Learn from International Experts

On September 21, 2026, Cornell University School of Integrated Plant Science and the GLASE consortium will host an in-person Growing with Plant Empowerment Workshop in Ithaca, New York on the Cornell University campus. International industry experts, academics, and students will gather to cross-train and explore practical strategies to help growers get more from their greenhouse environmental conditions.

Registration is open!

Workshop attendance: $50

146 Stocking Hall (PepsiCo Auditorium), 411 Tower Road Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

Agenda

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

8:30 – 9:00 am
Registration and coffee

9:00 – 9:10
Welcome and Introduction

Session 1 – Data-Driven Growing Cultivation
Session 2 – The Three Plant Balances

10:45 – 11
Coffee break

Session 3 – Can We Understand How Plants Feel?

12 – 12:30
Q&A and Wrap-up

Nearest Parking will be the Peterson Lot (situated at the corner of Tower Road and Judd Falls Road directly across from Stocking Hall and the Cornell Dairy Bar). Parking fee is $1.50/hour; pay by meter at front of lot or the Park Mobile app.

Registration includes all programming including coffee with light refreshments.

REGISTER HERE

The Plant Empowerment approach
The challenges growers face are rarely caused by one factor alone. Plant Empowerment provides a framework for understanding how energy, water and assimilates interact within the plant, and how greenhouse conditions influence these processes. By understanding these relationships, growers can move beyond fixed cultivation recipes and make more informed decisions based on what the crop actually needs.

Who should join?
This training is for growers and horticultural professionals who are dealing with challenging growing conditions and want to better understand how to keep their crops performing. It is particularly relevant if you want to improve crop performance under high light and temperature conditions, better manage the impact of water quality, make more effective use of available light, water and climate conditions, or turn greenhouse data into more informed growing decisions.

No previous knowledge of Plant Empowerment is required.

This event is facilitated by GLASE and will be recorded and shared for on-demand access via our classroom. Browse our classes here!

 

Speakers

René Beerkens: Experienced greenhouse climate specialist with deep expertise in climate control, energy management, and crop balance.

Evripidis Papadoupoulous: Data-driven-growing expert with a passion for autonomous greenhouses and smarter decision-making.