CEA X200 - CEA Building & Biosystems: Horticulture Essentials

This comprehensive 16-hour professional development program is the first of its kind to provide essential horticultural knowledge and practical skills for designers and construction professionals who build Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities, and the biosystem engineers/technicians who install, integrate and maintain them. The curriculum covers five core courses spanning fundamental CEA principles, building systems, cultivation methods, climate control equipment, and crop-specific requirements. Participants will master the intersection of horticulture science and engineering systems, enabling effective communication with growers, clients, and project stakeholders. The program emphasizes practical application through case studies, equipment evaluation, and real-world problem-solving scenarios. Topics include plant growth principles, greenhouse and indoor farm configurations, hydroponic and substrate cultivation systems, LED lighting and HVAC systems, and climate management for major CEA crops including cannabis, tomatoes, leafy greens, and herbs. This intermediate-level certification prepares professionals to reduce project risks, improve specification accuracy, and enhance collaboration across multidisciplinary CEA project teams while understanding critical infrastructure priorities and global technology perspectives.

What You’ll Learn

• Effectively communicate with growers, owners, and scientists using appropriate technical language
• Identify and prioritize grower needs and critical systems for project completion
• Select and specify appropriate equipment for various CEA applications
• Design CEA facilities with potential for profitability and operational resilience
• Troubleshoot common crop problems and recommend solutions for major CEA species
• Practical understanding of plant growth principles and crop interaction with building environments
• Knowledge of critical infrastructure priorities and appropriate CAPEX/OPEX considerations
• Understanding of different cultivation systems and their equipment requirements
• Expertise in climate control technologies and energy optimization strategies

What You’ll Earn

• Resource Innovation Institute offers the only national training certificate for CEA design, construction, and operations professionals, in partnership with the Ohio CEA Center (OHCEAC) at The Ohio State University.  

  The initial GrowBuild offering, CEA Building & Biosystems: Horticulture Essentials is a comprehensive course that provides essential horticultural knowledge and practical skills for designers and construction professionals who build CEA facilities, and the biosystem engineers and technicians who install, integrate, and maintain them.  A certificate of completion will be issued by the Ohio State University for those who have successfully completed the course requirement.  

Additional Information

Professional Impact for Students: Reduced monetary and reputational costs from design mistakes and specification errors; enhanced effectiveness in client strategy and planning sessions; improved collaboration between design teams, construction professionals, and growers.

Refund Policy: Refund requests will be honored up to 3 days after registration and prior to the start of the course, subject to a 20% processing fee. All refund requests are subject to review.

Contact Us

For questions about enrollment, payment options, technology support, or course records, please contact our Enrollment Support team. Inquiries are typically answered within 24 business hours.

Submit an enrollment inquiry

For questions about course content or learning objectives, please contact Chieri Kubota, Rob Eddy, or Carly Becker.