WHEREAS, Controlled Environment Agriculture embraces technological innovations in a variety of growing methods including hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and fogponics for indoor growing, vertical farming, greenhouse, and protected cropping environments; and

WHEREAS, Controlled Environment Agriculture utilizes advanced systems to provide optimal growing conditions that boost yields, improve sustainability, and reduce pests and disease, while increasing efficiencies and providing for year-round growth of crops; and

WHEREAS, numerous elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools in Virginia have developed curriculums, outreach activities, and research centers around Controlled Environment Agriculture to educate students on industry innovations; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has hosted several leading summits and symposiums related to the science and advancement of Controlled Environment Agriculture, attracting hundreds of attendees from more than 30 states and several foreign countries; and

WHEREAS, Virginia, home to some of the largest indoor farming facilities in the United States, is ideally located within a day’s drive to nearly half of the U.S. population, allowing for quick and efficient delivery of fresh produce to consumers; and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development fund has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants to incentivize Controlled Environment Agriculture projects to build or expand in Virginia, create nearly 900 new jobs, and generate more than $478 million in capital investments; and

WHEREAS, Controlled Environment Agriculture helps to bolster agriculture as Virginia’s largest private industry and positions the Commonwealth as a leader in next generation agriculture; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is the destination of choice for Controlled Environment Agriculture businesses to locate and expand due to its location in the mid-Atlantic, strategic access to domestic consumer markets, plentiful natural resources, competitively priced utilities, a skilled talent pipeline, and exceptional public and private partners;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize March 2024, as VIRGINIA CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.