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This episode explores the future of cannabis cultivation, focusing on emerging tech, sustainability, and automation with Anders and Michael:

• Digital twins allow growers to simulate environmental changes in a virtual model of their grow room, predicting outcomes like microclimates, transpiration rates, and yield impacts before making real-world adjustments.
• These systems integrate real-time sensor data with AI and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling to enable more precise, predictive crop management.
• CFD modeling for airflow, temperature, and CO₂ behavior in grow rooms is currently expensive but expected to become more accessible, potentially standard in future facility planning.
• Energy monitoring is predicted to evolve from whole-facility tracking to equipment-specific monitoring, helping optimize individual systems and reduce consumption.
• Closed-loop water recirculation systems are highlighted as a major sustainability trend, treating and reusing city water, condensate, and nutrient runoff through a central filtration system to minimize waste.
• Nutrient recovery systems exist today that can remove fertilizer from water via flash evaporation, though separating specific nutrients is seen as a longer-term innovation.
• Humanoid robotics may begin replacing low-skill labor tasks like defoliation, offering reliability and consistency in areas where human turnover is high. There’s caution about potential malfunctions.
• Lighting has rapidly shifted from HPS to highly efficient LEDs, with some fixtures now achieving over 3.0 micromoles per joule efficiency. Adjustable spectrum LEDs offer targeted benefits but slightly lower efficiency.
• AI-controlled lighting systems are expected to dynamically adjust light intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod based on real-time plant data instead of preset schedules.
• CO₂ delivery systems are seen as mostly mature, but innovation in sourcing like direct air capture or repurposing fermentation CO₂ is likely to emerge.
• HVAC infrastructure will likely remain structurally stable, but control systems and refrigerants are expected to evolve, particularly with environmental regulations pushing R410A out of the market.
• Hosts anticipate building materials like phase change materials could become more common in grow room construction.
• The episode wraps with the hosts expressing appreciation for their niche but engaged audience, encouraging feedback and questions, and highlighting their openness to discussing real-world cultivation challenges on future episodes.

ABOUT CULTIVATION ELEVATED:

If you are a grower or owner looking to optimize your existing or new cultivation facility or anyone looking to cultivate more in less space, then this is the show for you. Each week, join Host Michael Williamson as he travels across the country, to explore the world of vertical farming and the future of cannabis and food production through his conversations with leading industry operators, growers and executives who are demonstrating success and resilience as growers and cultivators. Each episode provides stories and key insights that will inspire and show you first-hand, how each of these companies have overcome challenges, and found their own path to success. Brought to you by Pipp Horticulture.

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In this episode, the team from Endless Biotech, represented by Gary Holland and Teddy Pillay, joins the Pipp Horticulture podcast to share a transparent look into their cultivation journey. They discuss the evolution of their internal systems, the importance of flexibility and data in refining operations, and how team culture plays a critical role in maintaining both productivity and morale. Gary and Teddy highlight their collaborative mindset - openly sharing knowledge with other growers and emphasize their appreciation for the support and technology provided by Pipp and their vertical racking systems. The conversation underscores a shared mission between Endless and Pipp to raise the bar for the industry through education, innovation, and community, closing with mutual gratitude and a commitment to ongoing partnership.

Endless Biotech, represented by Gary and Teddy, shares insights into their operations, innovations, and lessons learned as a cultivator using vertical farming systems.

Gary highlights the company’s approach to evolving SOPs, adapting to automation, and continuously refining processes through trial and error and internal feedback.

Teddy emphasizes the importance of culture, clear communication, and team cohesion in maintaining high performance and avoiding burnout.

Both reps underscore the value of data-driven decision making and being proactive rather than reactive in their grow operations.

The group discusses how Endless Biotech collaborates with other growers and vendors (like Pipp), and how a shared commitment to transparency and learning helps lift the entire industry.

Gary and Teddy express deep appreciation for their relationship with Pipp Horticulture, citing the impact of Pipp’s vertical racking systems on their grow capabilities.

Pipp’s hosts express gratitude in return, noting that the podcast’s purpose is education and community building, not sales.

The episode closes with mutual respect and a forward-looking commitment to collaboration and ongoing support.

🌱 Collaboration & Innovation-Focused

1. Inside Endless Biotech: Building a Transparent, Data-Driven Grow Operation
2. Elevating Cultivation: Endless Biotech’s Journey with Pipp Horticulture
3. From Racks to Results: How Endless Biotech Optimizes with Pipp
4. Open Source Growing: Gary & Teddy of Endless Biotech Share Their Playbook
5. Partnering for Progress: Endless Biotech & Pipp’s Shared Mission to Educate

🎙️ Personality-Driven or Conversational

1. Gary & Teddy from Endless Biotech: Growing Smarter, Not Just Bigger
2. Beyond the Grow Room: Endless Biotech Talks Culture, Data & Innovation
3. No Secrets, Just Systems: Endless Biotech's Radical Transparency in Cultivation

🔧 Technical + Inspirational

1. Scaling Sustainably: Endless Biotech on Systems, Culture, and Vertical Farming
2. The Endless Biotech Method: Flexibility, Feedback, and Vertical Integration

ABOUT CULTIVATION ELEVATED:

If you are a grower or owner looking to optimize your existing or new cultivation facility or anyone looking to cultivate more in less space, then this is the show for you. Each week, join Host Michael Williamson as he travels across the country, to explore the world of vertical farming and the future of cannabis and food production through his conversations with leading...

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Featured Guest: Dr. Allison Justice

• Renowned for her research-driven approach to cannabis cultivation and post-harvest science.
• Leads the conversation on smokability, drying/curing, and the importance of data-backed airflow control.
• Brings years of experience and a scientific lens to solving cultivation challenges in a maturing cannabis industry.

Pipp Horticulture x Fog City Farms Collaboration

• Discussion centers around Fog City’s vertical racking system with Fluence LEDs and Pipp airflow tech.
• Focus on multi-tier flower room environments and the complexities of airflow across different canopy levels.
• Dr. Justice provides context on the importance of maintaining environmental consistency across all tiers.

Custom Airflow & Environmental Control

• Use of automated blackout curtains, duct socks, and return air systems to tailor airflow.
• Goal: Improve control over humidity, temperature, and VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit), especially during dry/cure.
• Allison emphasizes the challenge of ensuring airflow reaches lower tiers effectively without over-drying top tiers.

The Science of Smokability

• Dr. Justice shares her passion for exploring what makes a cannabis product "smoke well."
• Going beyond terpenes and cultivar, and into deeper physiological variables.
• Inspired by tobacco research—looking into chlorophyll content, sugar levels, etc.
• Acknowledges that in-depth testing is costly and time-intensive, but vital for product quality.

Dry & Cure – The Most Critical Phase

• Dr. Justice discusses how this phase often gets overlooked but has the biggest impact on final product.
• Fog City’s data collection over multiple years has helped them understand how drying conditions affect smokeability.
• Calls for the industry to standardize best practices in this area.

Ongoing Research Trial Series

• This episode marks the beginning of an airflow-focused trial series.
• Allison will return regularly (every 3 months) to share updates and insights.
• Collaborative spirit emphasized between science, engineering, and cultivation.

Final Thoughts

• Dr. Justice highlights the importance of digging deeper into the data and science behind good cannabis.
• Michael and Anders express excitement about pioneering this research and sharing knowledge with the broader community.
• Strong call to continue the conversation and grow the industry’s collective understanding.

ABOUT CULTIVATION ELEVATED:

If you are a grower or owner looking to optimize your existing or new cultivation facility or anyone looking to cultivate more in less space, then this is the show for you. Each week, join Host Michael Williamson as he travels across the country, to explore the world of vertical farming and the future of cannabis and food production through his conversations with leading industry operators, growers and executives who are demonstrating success and resilience as growers and cultivators....