Controlled Environment Agriculture Consulting
Specialist technical consulting in CEA facility design, greenhouse and hydroponic production systems, water quality management, and recirculating aquaculture, drawing on biological and agricultural engineering research and federal regulatory experience. Primary service area: New Hampshire and New England. Remote consulting available for qualified engagements.
The Technical Gap in Controlled-Environment Agriculture
Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), from greenhouse operations, hydroponics, and vertical farms to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and coupled aquaponics, requires an unusual combination of disciplines: hydraulic and structural engineering, water chemistry, biological systems management, crop science, and regulatory compliance. Most consultants hold depth in one or two of these areas. Few hold all of them.
Most agronomists lack the systems engineering background. Most engineers lack the biological and water quality depth. Extension educators understand neither permitting nor finance. Todd Guerdat's twenty years of biological and agricultural engineering practice — including a PhD, federal NRCS field experience, and active environmental site work — spans all of these, making GSS an unusually complete technical resource for CEA and aquatic production clients in the region.
For New England producers operating in regulated environments — NPDES discharge permits, nutrient management requirements, USDA program compliance — the overlap between technical system design and regulatory knowledge is particularly valuable. For clients outside the region, remote engagement is available for defined-scope work: technical reviews, feasibility analysis, permit support, and system design documentation.
PhD Research in Biological Production Systems
Biological and Agricultural Engineering research in water quality and controlled-environment production systems
Water Treatment & Quality Management
Municipal, agricultural, and aquaculture water treatment systems across multiple sectors
Federal Policy Background
Clean Water Act compliance from NRCS federal role — directly applicable to regulated producers
New England Producer Clients
Active consulting relationships with New England aquaculture and controlled-environment agriculture producers. Remote advisory available for qualified out-of-region engagements.
Technical Services Offered
Greenhouse & Indoor Ag Infrastructure
High tunnel and greenhouse environmental control review, hydroponic and aeroponic system selection and sizing, drip and flood-and-drain irrigation design, and site suitability assessment for CEA facility siting across New England. Design review and specification documentation available for out-of-region clients without a site visit requirement.
CEA Water Quality & System Design
Water quality parameter management for hydroponic and greenhouse irrigation systems, RAS aquaculture, and aquaponics. Nutrient cycling, pH management, dissolved oxygen systems, and biofilter design and optimization. Site visits available throughout New England; remote troubleshooting and design review available for out-of-region clients.
Hydroponics, Vertical Farm & Aquaponic Design
Vertical farm infrastructure review (lighting, HVAC interaction, irrigation), greenhouse CEA production layout, and coupled aquaponic system design (fish:plant ratios, nitrification sizing, media bed/DWC/NFT selection) for new builds and facility expansions throughout New England. Remote design review available for qualified projects outside the region.
Regulatory Compliance & Permitting Support
NPDES discharge permit applications for aquaculture and CEA facilities, nutrient management planning for effluent land application, USDA program compliance (EQIP, CSP, VAPG, REAP), and NH/New England state-level environmental permit support. Federal policy background (CWA, ESA) enables substantive engagement with regulatory reviewers — not just form completion. Remote regulatory document support available for out-of-region clients.
Feasibility Analysis & Business Review
Independent technical feasibility review for new CEA or aquaculture facility proposals — water supply adequacy, system sizing for target production volumes, energy and labor intensity estimates, crop or species selection validation. Primarily serving New England developers; lender-ready technical narratives and third-party review letters are document-based deliverables available to clients anywhere.
Technical Review & Due Diligence
Third-party technical review of CEA or aquaculture facility design documents, production system proposals, or feasibility studies — for New England lenders, investors, and regulatory bodies. This service is document-based and well-suited to remote delivery, making it accessible to out-of-region clients who need a credentialed independent reviewer without requiring local expertise.
Who This Service Is For
- Existing CEA & Aquaculture Producers — greenhouse, hydroponic, vertical farm, RAS, and aquaponic operations in New England with water quality challenges, production optimization needs, or regulatory compliance questions. Site visits available throughout NH and New England; remote advisory for out-of-region producers.
- New Facility Developers — Entrepreneurs and agricultural investors planning CEA or aquaculture facilities in New England who need independent technical validation. For developers outside the region, feasibility review and design documentation are available remotely.
- Agricultural Lenders — NH and New England banks, credit unions, and ag lenders considering loans for CEA or aquaculture facilities who need a credentialed independent technical reviewer. Lender-ready deliverables provided; remote engagement available for out-of-region lenders with New England borrowers.
- Extension & Conservation Organizations — Groups promoting CEA, aquaponics, or water-based production as alternative farm income streams. Technical curriculum development, grower training support, and project feasibility assessment available.
- Regulatory Agencies — State environmental and agricultural agencies reviewing CEA or aquaculture permit applications who need an independent expert technical opinion.
New England's controlled environment agriculture sector, from greenhouse production to aquaculture, is growing fast, and the combined technical and regulatory expertise required to design, permit, and review these facilities is genuinely scarce in this region.— GSS, Newfields NH
- Engagements scoped to your project — from focused advisory calls to multi-phase technical programs
- Written deliverables provided for all engagements
- NDA available on request for proprietary facility reviews
- Project-based flat fees available for defined scope work; retainer arrangements for ongoing support