Chris Higgins

President and co-FounderPresident at Hort Americas

Just because I cannot solve every problem, does not mean I won’t accept the challenge to solve some problems. Founder of Hort Americas and Urban Ag News.

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Articles

The Role of LEDs in Seed Germination

2 months ago | hortamericas.com | Chris Higgins

When it comes to seed germination, several environmental factors come into play, with light, water, oxygen, and temperature being the most crucial. While light can have varying effects stimulating, inhibiting, or remaining neutral certain plants specifically rely on it for successful germination. Some notable species requiring light include ageratum, begonia, browallia, coleus, geranium, impatiens, lettuce, nicotiana, petunia, and snapdragon.
The True Price of a Product is in the Warranty

2 months ago | urbanagnews.com | Chris Higgins

In my personal life, I seldom buy big-ticket items and rarely think about the warranty associated with them, unless it’s something like an automobile or major appliance. Because when I try, the manufacturer often makes the process so difficult or costly that it’s not worth my effort. But, in my professional life, I see product warranties much differently, especially when I make larger purchases or when my company, Hort Americas, represents a vendor.
Crucible Moments Keep Exposing the Harsh Truths About the Controlled Environment Agriculture Industry

Jan 14, 2025 | urbanagnews.com | Chris Higgins

Last year challenged the commercial horticulture and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry in almost every way possible. Whether greenhouse, vertical or indoor production of fresh produce, or other specialty crops, 2024 erased the excitement around new technologies that were supposed to change the way we consume and cultivate fresh produce.
The 2024 Controlled Environment Agriculture Market - What Happened?

Oct 1, 2024 | urbanagnews.com | Chris Higgins

As consumers, do we care if specialty crops are grown in a controlled environment? Do we care if the process is sustainable? Do we care if crops are locally grown? Last year we published The 2023 Controlled Environment Agriculture Market – How are we evolving? (We recommend reviewing this article, as it provides background for the 2024 review.) This year we are revisiting some discussion points, plus attempting to tackle the changes we saw in just one short year. And boy did we see changes.
What is AI? How will it be used in greenhouses, indoor farms and commercial horticulture?

Jul 11, 2024 | urbanagnews.com | Chris Higgins

The term “AI” or artificial intelligence is increasingly being discussed in all facets of life. This is true for commercial horticulture as well. Whether you grow ornamental crops, cannabis or greenhouse vegetables there are numerous companies that are promising to optimize processes, increase efficiency, and improve overall crop yields.
Locally Grown - A Fad or a Trend? Dead or Alive?

Mar 4, 2024 | urbanagnews.com | Chris Higgins

Early in the ag-tech, vertical farm and greenhouse-grown movement, everyone talked about reasons for innovating the way we farm. Industry insiders discussed everything from changing the way we feed the future to the demand for more locally grown fresh produce options. Hundreds of millions of dollars were raised to meet what investors felt were market demands. Now the economy, access to money and the cost of money has changed. Also, many farms that were recently built are now out of business.
Does Quality Matter? If So, Prove It.

Dec 11, 2023 | urbanagnews.com | Chris Higgins

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. We all know brands with products and services that represent quality. But have you ever been the person responsible for selling quality? For earning the premium price associated with producing quality products? Since my first job in 1996, every company I worked for, represented or owned believed they had the highest quality product in their market or class.
The Biggest Challenge for CEA, LABOR

Oct 2, 2023 | urbanagnews.com | Chris Higgins

In July 2023, I posted the article The 2023 Controlled Environment Agriculture Market – How Are We Evolving? After fielding several questions and comments from industry professionals who I really respect, I feel the need for one (maybe two) follow-up articles. This article is first because I firmly believe labor is the biggest challenge we face today, as well as for the next 10 years in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and in commercial horticulture and general production agriculture.
The Biggest Challenge for CEA, LABOR

Oct 2, 2023 | agriculture.einnews.com | Chris Higgins

In July 2023, I posted the article The 2023 Controlled Environment Agriculture Market – How Are We Evolving? After fielding several questions and comments from industry professionals who I really respect, I feel the need for one (maybe two) follow-up articles. This article is first because I firmly believe labor is the biggest challenge we face today, as well as for the next 10 years in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and in commercial horticulture and general production agriculture.
Watch an Early Silent Film About the Theory of Relativity

Sep 6, 2023 | msn.com | Chris Higgins

Albert Einstein first published his theory of special relativity in 1905; his work on general relativity followed in 1915. By 1923, Premier Productions made a silent film to explain the most salient bits. Though it’s entirely silent (and, of course, 100 years old), it’s a thoroughly lucid way to understand Einstein’s most important work—with some great vintage animation as well. The theory of special relativity revolutionized the ways that scientists study and understand the universe.