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Website - https://harnoisgreenhouse.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harnois.ghs/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

“You can’t suck and blow at the same time. We’re talking about keeping our elbows up by Canadian support. Canadian. And then you have these draconian policies being implemented at all levels of government,” says Richard lee, Executive Director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, who joins Trina Semenchuk on Greenhouse Success Stories to expose the mounting obstacles faced by greenhouse growers in Ontario.

With decades of experience blending entrepreneurial spirit and environmental advocacy, Richard shares how everything from waste management to property taxation threatens the Canadian greenhouse sector’s growth and sustainability—and why municipalities might be driving innovative producers out of the country. His first-hand accounts reveal both crisis and opportunity, making for a provocative conversation anyone interested in the future of food, farming, and Canadian innovation shouldn’t miss.

1. Collaboration makes solutions possible—reach out to local municipalities, associations, and stakeholders to advocate for greenhouse-friendly policies before you build or expand.
2. Waste is opportunity in disguise. Audit your greenhouse packaging and waste streams, and connect with innovative recyclers to pioneer sustainable, circular solutions.
3. Fight for unified, fair regulations. Lend your voice to push for harmonized recycling, infrastructure, and trade policies that empower—not restrict—growers.
4. Don’t wait for disaster—secure your business. Work with associations to advocate for payment protection, business risk programs, and fair access to trade markets now.
5. Build strong relationships with community leaders. Schedule ongoing meetings, invite them on greenhouse tours, and celebrate shared successes to strengthen support for your operation’s future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-lee-a8312b25b/

Website: https://www.ogvg.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontario-greenhouse-vegetable-growers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONgreenhouseVeg

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ONgreenhouseVeg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ongreenhouseveg/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ongreenhouseveg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ongreenhouseveg

GSS LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

GSS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

📺 Watch, Subscribe, Follow on YouTube & Spotify

Website - https://harnoisgreenhouse.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harnois.ghs/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

“Being a grower is incredibly hard work. You’re the first one in, the last one out, and when things go wrong, whether it’s weather, pests or timelines, it all lands on you,” says Laura Martin, head grower at Shackan Indian Band, whose thirty years in the greenhouse industry have spanned everything from family-run cedar hedging operations to pioneering native species restoration in British Columbia’s wildfire-ravaged landscapes.

In this episode of Greenhouse Success Stories, Laura Martin opens up about her lifelong passion for propagation, the relentless challenges of labor shortages in remote locations, and her vision to transform her nursery into a hands-on learning center for the next generation of growers. Discover why Laura Martin sees mentoring and community collaboration as the keystones to long-term greenhouse success—and what it takes to build something meaningful from the ashes.

1. Build your succession plan—mentor and train a right-hand person so your greenhouse is never left stranded and you can finally take that well-earned break.
2. Don’t wait for perfect resumes—hire for passion, work ethic, and willingness to learn, then invest in hands-on teaching and mentorship to fill the skill gap.
3. Collaborate with local communities and institutions—reach out to First Nations, universities, and trade schools to create a robust pipeline of future growers.
4. Diversify your approach to labor shortages—leverage grant funding, automation, and creative partnerships to keep operations running strong even in remote areas.
5. Advocate for hands-on learning—push universities and training programs to focus on real-world greenhouse experience and not just theory.

Shackan Indian Band - https://www.shackan.ca/

GSS LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

GSS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

📺 Watch, Subscribe, Follow on YouTube & Spotify

Website - https://harnoisgreenhouse.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harnois.ghs/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

Welcome to the very first episode of Greenhouse Success Stories! In this premiere, hosts Trina Semenchek sits down with Gabriel Forero, Head Grower at Sunterra Greenhouse in Alberta. Gabriel shares his fascinating 18-year journey from the flower industry in Colombia to large-scale field crops and eventually to greenhouses in Canada. He speaks candidly about the ups and downs of working in both food and cannabis cultivation, the importance of adaptability, and why growing both plants and people is at the heart of his passion.

You’ll hear Gabriel’s perspective on the challenges and realities growers face—like juggling high-tech systems with hands-on experience, the importance of strong teamwork, and the never-ending need to stay alert in a fast-paced agricultural environment. This episode offers invaluable insights into the human side of greenhouse management, highlighting not just technical know-how, but also the role that leadership and mentorship play in building successful teams.

Whether you’re an experienced grower, new to the industry, or simply curious about what it takes to run a thriving greenhouse, you’ll find plenty of practical wisdom and inspiration in this conversation. Let’s dive in!

00:00 From Tractors to Greenhouses

06:10 Passion for Food and Cannabis

09:53 Adapting and Improvising in Greenhouses

13:29 Striving for Excellence, Not Perfection

16:55 Mindful Data Collection Matters

18:34 Clear Communication in Agriculture

22:29 Consultants vs. Plant Scientists

25:59 Keep It Simple, Trust Manual Data

29:53 Plant Growth and Weather Forecast

31:18 Plant Care's Changing Triangle

33:43 Emphasizing Education in Horticulture

39:04 Training and Growth Process

40:32 Canada's Foreign Worker Program

46:13 Greenhouse Cable Breakdown Fix

49:15 Leadership in the Greenhouse

50:11 Family Distance and Stress Management

Luis-Gabriel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-gabriel-forero-4b434541/

Website: https://www.sunterragreenhouse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sunterragreenhouse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunterra-greenhouse/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunterragreenhouse/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunterragreenhouse/

Philips (horticultural lighting): https://www.philips.com/agriculture

Bayer (crop science): https://www.bayer.com/en/crop-science

GSS LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

GSS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

🎙️🎙️🎙️

Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

Tune in every week as we share conversations with growers, operators, and innovators from around the world, providing insight into what’s working in their greenhouses. We discuss firsthand experiences and provide insights into how these farms are succeeding and thriving. Hosted by Founder of Little Greenhouse That Could, Trina Semenchuk.