BioSafe Systems

This interview details BioSafe Systems, a company based in the United States. The interview is with Eric Smith, National Sales Manager (Horticulture Division) at BioSafe Systems.

Source: BioSafe Systems

What is the origin story of BioSafe Systems?

The BioSafe Systems company was born of collaboration between an uncle with a greenhouse, a father who was a microbiologist, a cousin with a horticulture background, and an ambitious son with a marketing degree and a mind for business. Through the combined efforts and skillsets of the Larose family, BioSafe Systems was born into existence. 

Rene Larose was a microbiologist who identified PAA as a chemistry that could disinfect chicken houses as successfully as chlorine and could be atomized for applications as efficiently as formaldehyde. His brother, Uncle John, a horticulture enthusiast with a degree in microbiology, owned the greenhouse that supplied Rob Larose’s first soil test. Rob, experienced in land remediation with a degree in marketing and business management put these pieces together, saw an opportunity, and got to work figuring out how to share this sustainable, non-toxic chemistry with the marketplace that clearly needed an alternative.

Since the first PAA product registration, ZeroTol 2.0, BioSafe Systems has been manufacturing multiple products using proprietary chemistry for the protection of crops, water, animals, and people. To this day 25 years later the company maintains this connectivity with the Larose family with Rob’s daughter as President and CEO, his brother working with the engineering team, and his son holding positions in research and development and sales.

Source: BioSafe Systems

What are some of the biggest challenges facing BioSafe Systems in the future? 

As new pests/diseases are introduced via global trade it’s important to keep focus on research and development of not only new products, but new applications of existing products. This is where our collaborative efforts with university research/extension as well as private research institutions play a critical role in developing cost-effective solutions for the future generations of growers.

Source: BioSafe Systems

What is unique about BioSafe Systems compared to competitors? 

We are a small family-owned business that specializes in OMRI-listed, EPA-registered products, proudly made in the USA for all facets of CEA/indoor production- crop protection, facility sanitation and water treatment. Not built solely for one crop or market, our structure allows us to remain nimble when market dynamics shift and issues arise.

Source: BioSafe Systems

What are some trends you are seeing at BioSafe in the market (broadly speaking)? 

An improved focus by the growers on hard surface sanitation, as a food safety measure in the production areas. I think more growers are realizing the importance of scheduled down-time to ensure a thoroughly cleaned and disinfected growing environment for subsequent crops and the positive impact that can have on yield and marketability. With many CEA growers claiming ‘pesticide-free’ crops- they now realize they must double-down on facility sanitation to eliminate plant- and human-health pathogens.

Alongside that, the broader realization that you can utilize biological control agents alongside chemical treatments- it need not be one or the other. With a true ‘Integrated’ Pest Management program growers can safely use organic pesticides while deploying BCA’s to keep general pest pressure well below damage thresholds. There are caveats to this of course so growers will want to lean on their BioSafe Systems’ Tech Rep and BCA suppliers to dial in their specifics. 

Source: BioSafe Systems

Any predictions for 2024 and beyond in the horticulture space? 

Barring political/economic catastrophe, we should see growth, albeit slight, in indoor farming as I believe the larger correction is over. Similarly in cannabis, where new states’ medical/recreational legalization efforts will continue to open new markets across the US, with I believe the larger culling of the legacy states’ markets nearing their end.

For ornamentals, while the 2020-2021 boom might never be matched again, many of our customers still report being up over pre-pandemic sales levels and are reinvesting in the future of their companies. With many folks building and expanding it’s easy to remain optimistic about our industry- Growers are very resilient people- and we’ll be here to help.

Source: BioSafe Systems

How can people connect with you or learn more about BioSafe Systems?

Check out our website- www.biosafesystems.com. All product information and labels, company news as well as a contact us form to get pointed to your local Technical Representative. We are also on all major social media platforms. If folks want to reach me directly they can email me at esmith@biosafesystems.com or hit me up on LinkedIn or Instagram (eric_biosafe).

Source: BioSafe Systems

Asia Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"For a target audience that is trying to understand the basics of vertical farming, this is a quality newsletter to subscribe to"

- James Pateras, CEO, Modular Farms Australia

North America Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download The Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"The North America Vertical Farming Companies Report 2023 aggregates many sources of public information on many different companies so that you don't have to do the research yourself, it's worth the money and saves a lot of time"

- John Ireland, CEO, NTP Technologies

Europe Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Helen Andrew Spare Harvest

"As a business development manager supporting the indoor agriculture, CEA, and food tech industries, I can say Urban Vine guides and their insider newsletter provide detailed information often difficult to find online."

- Irena Lundberg, CleanTech Invest Stockholm

Middle East Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"As a marketing professional in the indoor agriculture industry, Urban Vine's newsletters, reports and guides are an excellent resource for keeping up-to-date with news and developments in vertical farming."

- Steven Mitchell, Product Manager, Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) UK

All Indoor Farming Company Interviews

Pathotrak

May 6, 2024

This interview details Pathotrak, a company based in the United States. The interview is with Javier Atencia, PhD, CEO & Founder of Pathotrak. To learn more about Pathotrak and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Windy Hill Farm

May 6, 2024

This interview details Windy Hill Farm, a company based in the United States. The interview is with Steve Savitz, a Teacher at Methacton School District. To learn more about Windy Hill Farm and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Hydra Unlimited

May 6, 2024

This interview details Hydra Unlimited, a company based in the United States. The interview is with H. W. (Hank) Bonnah, Chief Scientist / Principal Engineer at Hydra Unlimited. To learn more about Hydra Unlimited and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Teens for Food Justice

May 9, 2024

This interview details Teens for Food Justice, a company based in the United States. The interview is with Katherine Soll, Founder & CEO of Teens for Food Justice. To learn more about Teens for Food Justice and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Novus Earth Energy

May 3, 2024

This interview details Novus Earth, an indoor farming technology company based in Canada. The interview is with Jeff Messner, President & Co-Founder of Novus Earth. To learn more about Novus Earth and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Cichorium

May 1, 2024

This interview details Cichorium, an indoor farming company based in Spain. The interview is with Philippe Blanquet, Owner of Cichorium. To learn more about Cichorium and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Zone Agtech

May 1, 2024

This interview details Zone Agtech, an indoor farming technology company based in Canada. The interview is with Marilou Cyr, General Manager of Zone Agtech. To learn more about Zone Agtech and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Fera Science

May 1, 2024

This interview details Fera Science, an indoor farming company based in the UK. The interview is with Damian Malins, Venturing Projects Director at Fera Science. To learn more about Fera Science and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

SyNRGE

May 1, 2024

This interview details SyNRGE, an indoor farming technology company based in the United States. The interview is with Dr. Gary Stutte, Founder of SyNRGE. To learn more about SyNRGE and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Novasina AG

May 1, 2024

This interview details Novasina, a company based in Switzerland. The interview is with Brady Carter and Philippe Trösch, Sales Director& CSO of Novasina. To learn more about Novasina and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview