The AVF Academy in the UAE Winter 2025 – Foundations of Vertical Farming course February 3rd-5th and Advanced Academic course March 5th-8th, 2025 

@AgX, Aerofarms Facility, Abu Dhabi, UAE 

In cooperation with Khalifa University 

The Association for Vertical Farming (AVF) is pleased to announce details for the AVF Academy in UAE for Winter 2025. The Academy dates for 2025 are February 3rd-5th and March 5th-8th, 2025. Several world-class experts are delivering the programme at the AgX Aeroframs Facility in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The Academy programme is running in cooperation with Khalifa University.

The structure of the Academy Programme is as follows, with a Foundations of Vertical Farming Course and an Advanced Academic Course on offer:

Foundations of Vertical Farming Course – February 3rd-5th, 2025

2 days of lectures with a design workshop + 1 day field trip to Aerofarms facility

Advanced Academic Course – March 5th-8th, 2025 

3 days of lectures + 1 day field trip 

Foundations of Vertical Farming Course – February 3rd – 5th, 2025

2.0 days lectures + 1 day field trip

February 3rd, 2025

9:30-13:00 

Registration and Welcome 

Introduction to Vertical Farming 

1. 1. Overview of VF
   2. Global trends
   3. Regional Context

Introductory Plant Science 

1. 1. Photosynthesis
   2.  Growth
   3.  Metabolites
   4. Nutrition

Plant Lighting & Spectra

1. 1. Lighting flux
   2. Photoperiod
   3. Crop lighting requirements

14:00-17:00 

Vertical Farming Growing Structure Paradigms

1. 1. Warehouse
   2.  Modular
   3. Novel structures

Crop Production Systems

1. 1. Hydroponics
   2. Aeroponics
   3. Substrate classifications

Nutrient Solutions & EC

1. 1. Salinity management
   2. Dosing
   3. Lighting recipes

February 4th, 2025

9:30-13:00 

Environmental Control in VF

1. 1. HVAC systems
   2. Software tools
   3. Environmental control parameters

Vertical Farming Business Models 

1. 1. Overview of Business models in UAE

14:00-16:00 

Interactive workshop:

1. 1. Design your Vertical Farm 

Evening

Networking Dinner

1. 1. A social event for participants to connect and share ideas 

February 5th, 2025

Field Trip to Local VF Facility

1. 1. Visit a local vertical farm to see theory in practice

Q&A Session and Discussion

Hand out of AVF Academy certificates

Join us in Abu Dhabi and be part of the future of agriculture. Secure your place at the AVF Academy Winter 2025 today! Click now to Register

Advanced Academic Course – March 5th-8th, 2025 

3.0 days lectures + 1 day Field Trip for Advanced Vertical Farming Professionals

March 5th, 2025

9:30-16:00 

Global Overview of Vertical Farming 

1. 1. Status quo of VF around the world

Case Studies of VF in the UAE 

1. 1. Best practices
   2. Local success stories

March 6th, 2025

9:30-17:00

Advanced Crop Production Strategies 

1. 1. Bio-stressing crops for improved flavor and taste

Crop Dwarfing Techniques

1. 1. Strategies for crop optimization

Advances in Vertical Farm Climate Control

1. 1. HVAC
   2. Environmental control software
   3. New technologies

Novel Technologies for Future Vertical Farms and Building-Integrated Agriculture (BIA)

1. 1. Quantum-dot films for spectral modification and electricity generation
   2. AI in VF
   3. Vertical Farming in Space

March 7th, 2025

9:30-16:00

Vertical Farming Business Models

1. 1. Deep dive into VF business strategies

Learning from industry experts/leaders

1. 1. Panel discussion

Design Thinking Workshop

1. 1. An interactive session to tackle challenges and opportunities in VF businesses 

March 8th, 2025 

Field Trip to Local VF Facility

1. Experience cutting-edge VF technologies on-site

Join us in Abu Dhabi and be part of the future of agriculture. Secure your place at the AVF Academy Winter 2025 today! Click now to Register