A vertical farm produces local, traceable product with plant-based packaging | 10
Keeping mums
Irrigation, nutrition and pest management pointers to get you through the season | 14
It’s all in the DNA What it takes to make new varieties work | 26
BERT MUCCI Mucci Farms
The 360° Cart
Du-All Barrow
A fruitful opportunity
Greenhouse and field producers could meet 50 per cent of Ontario’s strawberry needs | 12 Editorial 4 Industry News 6 Virtual Grower Day 8 2020 event reimagined Technology Issues 10 First of 20 new vertical farms launched Inside View 30 Timeless trends or fleeting fads? 14 18 26 Keeping mums Production and pest management pointers for quality mums this season
Plants in session Engaging youth in the business of horticulture
Greenhouse Canada celebrates this year’s Grower of the Year award winner.
Photo credit: Mucci Farms | 22
BY JEFF CROSBY
To breed or not to breed What it takes to bring a new or improved variety to market
BY BART HAYES
Home gardening is hot again
“They’re running out of product!” exclaims my co-worker Wendy Serrao, whose well-frequented independent garden centre, like many others, is dwindling in their offerings. Ontario had just suffered a long bout of hot, sunny weather with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius for days on end, and the individual designated to water her plants over the weekend hadn’t been quite as attentive to the weather forecast. Unfortunately, she may have a harder time replacing some of those plants.
As CBC News reports on June 29, business has been incredible this year for garden centres and their suppliers. This is, of course, great news for those who were closed for several months during pandemic lockdowns. New gardeners who have never grown a plant before are trying it for the first time. Not only are they looking for plants, they need all the necessary and most simplest of tools, along with plenty of advice. This clientele would benefit from an independent garden
B.C., reported a huge demand for berry plants, herbs, exotic fruits and vegetables, especially hot peppers – “the hotter the better,” he says in an email. Tropicals and succulents continue to trend with the large variety of picture-worthy colours, shapes and textures available. Minter says exotic Sansevierias, Hoyas, and Swiss cheese plants (Monstera) have been very popular.
What was particularly striking for me were the mention of edible ornamentals such as redbud, Hostas and fiddleheads. Being in a period where consumers are up for trying something new, any lesser-known, ornamental-first edibles could be the next big thing. And you’ve seen how quickly ideas spread by social media. With physical distancing measures still in place, those attempting new at-home activities are documenting and sharing them with friends and followers. I can’t count the number of indoor plants, baked goods and victory gardens I’ve seen in the past few months.
This August issue is all about
...you’ve seen how quickly ideas spread by social media.
centre, where staff are more likely to be plant enthusiasts themselves and have grown several of the offerings available.
To identify hot gardening trends this year and predictions for the next, writer Treena Hein speaks to several of the industry’s leading experts and retailers (see feature on pg. 8 in the ‘New Varieties’ supplement polybagged with this month’s issue). Edibles have clearly been a big seller, not just typical vegetables for Victory Garden 2.0, but also fruit trees and bushes. Brian Minter, general manager of family-owned Minter Country Garden in Chilliwack,
trends. See how the first of 20 vertical operations by Local Leaf Farms produces food that is local, traceable and in plant-based packaging. Don’t miss our cover feature on this year’s Grower of the Year award winner, Bert Mucci (pg. 22), who not only identifies and responds to consumer fresh produce needs but also uses his influence for good in community initiatives such as food security and employee wellbeing. And with the many efficiency and automation projects taken on by his farm, this grower isn’t just responding to trends, he’s setting them.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced an investment of up to $9.2 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and fund up to 700 new positions for youth in the agriculture industry.
This program aims to provide Canadian youth ages 15 to 30, and particularly youth facing barriers to employment, with job experience in agriculture
that will provide career-related work experience. YESP will provide agriculture employers with up to 50 per cent of the costs of hiring a Canadian youth, up to a total of $14,000. Indigenous applicants and those hiring youth facing barriers are eligible for funding of up to 80 per cent of their costs. Employers may apply for this funding retroactive to April 1, 2020, with projects to be completed by March 31, 2021.
PATHWAYS TO RESIDENCY FOR TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS
The previously announced, three-year federal Agri-Food Pilot program has begun accepting applications, providing a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific agricultural industries and occupations, including greenhouse.
A total of 2,750 applications will be accepted annually from May 15, 2020 to May 14, 2023, and applies primarily to workers
who are already in Canada.
Applications will be processed on a firstcome, first-served basis. There are annual limits per eligible occupation. For greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production, eligible roles are:
• farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers – 50 applications per year
• general farm workers – 200 applications
CPMA releases preferred plastics guide
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Plastics Packaging Working Group published its Preferred Plastics Guide to help inform and support CPMA members in their packaging decisions. Plastics are placed in one of three categories:
• Preferred – Given the potential or existing capability to recycle or reuse, CPMA members will continue to use the identified plastics and consider them as viable replacements for plastics identified as “unfavourable.”
• Minimize – Although some recyclability or reuse may be possible, CPMA members will investigate alternatives or substitution for the identified plastics or continue their use where required.
• Unfavourable – Due to a lack of recyclability or effective reuse, CPMA members will seek to eliminate or replace the identified plastics by a defined period.
accepted per year
• harvesting labourers – 300 applications accepted per year
Since Quebec establishes its own economic immigration selection under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot does not apply there. To apply for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot, applicants need:
• eligible Canadian work experience in
one or more of the eligible industries and occupations
• a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer in one of the eligible industries and occupations (outside of Quebec)
• to meet or exceed the language and educational requirements
• to have settlement funds (if applicable)
• to maintain temporary resident status (if already in Canada)
BY THE NUMBERS
Post-COVID Food Safety
More than 2 in 3 Canadians says COVID-19 has made food safety more important in purchase decisions
68% value eliminating plastic from food packaging
96% prefer produce from Canada: 50% prefer leafy greens and herb packaging to be non-plastic, compostable and plant-based
Growers know that when it comes to controlling and monitoring a production environment, a simple, flexible, sustainable control system is crucial. This is why you can depend on Reliable Controls. Our nationwide network of factory-certified Authorized Dealers will help you design, install, and commission a comprehensive control system paired with an intuitive, custom-tailored graphical interface. Take command of your precisely controlled environment. Generate tracking reports and analytics. Reduce your carbon footprint while improving productivity, quality, and serviceability.
To learn more about this cost-effective, Canadian-made solution, please contact a Reliable Controls
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GROWER DAY 2020
Set for August 12, 2020, hear from local expertise on a virtual platform.
BY GRETA CHIU
It’s official. Greenhouse Canada is presenting its 25th annual Grower Day in a new virtual format. For flower and vegetable growers, register and save the date for August 12, 2020. Live panels will tackle today’s most pressing issues, while pre-recorded sessions will allow attendees to pick and choose topics, revisiting them at their leisure. To register free of charge, visit greenhousecanada.com and click on ‘Grower Day.’
LIVE PANEL SESSIONS
Growing the next generation
How can the greenhouse sector continue to attract and retain new employees? Three young growers share their experiences.
Speakers: Jennifer McIntosh, Meyers Farms; Brennan Parkin, One Floral; Jette Vanadrichem, Ontario Plants Propagation
Moving forward with COVID COVID-19 was no walk in the park. This panel will look back on changes made and focus on planning for the year ahead.
Speakers: Bob and Carmen Mitchell, SunTech Greenhouses; Stan Vander Waal, Rainbow Greenhouses; Brian Minter, Minter Country Garden; Len Ferragine, Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery
ON-DEMAND PRESENTATIONS
Demystifying dehumidification
Researchers tested four different dehumidification technologies, and here’s what they found.
Speaker: Dr. Jingjing Han, Flowers Canada (Ontario)
Lighting from start to finish
Curious about adopting or upgrading your supplemental lighting? Explore steps and costs from beginning to end.
Speaker: Ted Deli, HydroFarm
Aphids from top to bottom
Speaker: Craig Barretto, Proack Security
Filling the gaps of your business profit margins
From production to crops, tackle commonly overlooked areas to help improve your business’ profit margins.
Eight three-level towers of strawberries were studied for growth, yield and fruit quality under conventional and organic regimes.
Speaker: Dr. Laila Benkrima, Simon Fraser University
Biocontrol: Round peg in a square hole
Balancing available biocontrol options with your expectations, learn how to identify the right solutions for your greenhouse.
Speaker: Brian Spencer, Applied Bio-nomics
Setting microbes in motion
Learn how different strains of microbial biofungicides could be used to prevent and manage different diseases and pathogens.
Speaker: Dr. Deborah Henderson, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Mental break: Taking care of your health
Learn how to recognize when you or someone you know is struggling, and tips on how to get help.
Aphids are experts at hiding. Learn about common aphids, where to find them, and what to do.
Speaker: Stacey Hickman, Natural Insect Control
The economics of biocontrol
How do the economics of using biocontrol stack up against pesticides? Take a deeper dive into your biocontrol costs.
Speaker: Graeme Murphy, bioLogical Control Solutions
What’s next for biocontrol
Explore some exciting new IPM technologies on the horizon revealed at the recent Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting.
Speaker: Dr. Michael Brownbridge, BioWorks
Thwarting the next data attack
Cases of ransomware are on the rise. Learn how to prevent your data from being kidnapped and what to do in a ransom situation.
Speaker: Emily Kerr, AgSafe BC
Why your plant’s needs and business plans go hand in hand
Meet both your plant’s needs and those of your operation’s by taking the right actions at the right time.
Speaker: Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza
CELEBRATING 2020 AWARD WINNERS
Join the Canadian greenhouse sector in honouring this year’s Grower of the Year and Top 4 Under 40 award winners. Thank you to Paul Boers and Prins Greenhouses for their continued support of the Top 4 Under 40 program.
LOOKING FOR CANNABIS?
Check out Grower Day for cannabis on August 19, 2020 hosted by Grow Opportunity magazine.
Vertical farm goes local,traceable and in plant-based packaging
New Canadian agtech company Local Leaf Farms opened the doors to its new Barrie facility in June – the first of 20 Canadian locations planned to open by the end of 2025.
The 10,000 square-foot facility contains 6,500 square feet for production. It grows more than 20 cultivars, including leafy greens such as Romaine, arugula, kale, bok choy and baby spinach, plus more than a dozen herbs, including basil, cilantro and parsley.
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Local Leaf Farms’ first facility contains 6,500 square feet of space for production.
THE DEMAND FOR LOCAL
According to an IPSOS study, 68 per cent of Canadians say the COVID-19 pandemic has made food safety more important, and 47 per cent cite locally produced food as a top factor driving their purchase decisions. Nearly all Canadians (96 per cent) prefer to buy produce grown in Canada, whether in their local community (21 per cent), their province (41 per cent), or elsewhere in the country (34 per cent).
“Canadian consumers are demanding greater transparency about the food they eat. And that demand has never been more urgent,” said Steve Jones, President and CEO of Local Leaf Farms. “As we begin to consider a post-COVID reality, we need to have real discussions about the stability – and overall future – of food production in this country. Local Leaf is bringing leading-edge technology to the food sector to produce the fresh, safe and sustainable produce that Canadians are asking for.”
According to Local Leaf, the average package of leafy greens travels 3,000 km before it lands in a shopper’s cart at a Canadian grocery store. The
journey can reportedly take up to two weeks, causing produce to lose up to 70 per cent of its nutritional value and impacting taste, texture and flavour. To reduce the impact, all of Local Leaf Farms’ produce can be found at local grocery stores just hours after it is harvested, not only because of the facilities’ proximity, but because it can be delivered directly without passing through distribution centres.
Local Leaf also offers a fully traceable food source, with instant access to information about the food from seed to shelf. The company’s proprietary technology and mobile app allow retailers and consumers to know exactly where their produce comes from, including detailed information on how it was grown, when and by whom. With automated technology, Local Leaf is able to employ an entirely local workforce, eliminating the need to rely on migrant labour – a workforce that has faced severe challenges in the face of COVID-19.
“In addition to our year-round production in our vertical farm, our Barrie, Ontario location has converted its 20,000 square foot backyard to an outdoor community garden. This allows identified residents to grow their own food and learn from our agronomist and team in a collaborative environment,” says Local Leaf Farms.
Local Leaf’s facility is also open to the public once every month, allowing local residents to more closely connect with their food.
ELIMINATING PLASTIC PACKAGING
In the results of the IPSOS study, more than two in three Canadians (68 per cent) want to eliminate plastic from their food packaging, and half (51 per cent) would prefer their leafy greens and herb packages be made of a non-plastic, compostable, plant-based material. In contrast, 21 per cent would prefer produce to come packaged in recycled plastic, sometimes referred to as recycled PET.
“That’s why we’re excited to have sourced packaging that is made of non-plastic, compostable, plant-based material for all Local Leaf products,” says the team. Local Leaf’s Barrie location currently services grocery stores, food service providers and home meal kit providers within 50km of the farm. All of the produce, which is sold under the My Local Leaf brand, is pesticideand herbicide-free as well as non-GMO.
PHOTO CREDIT: LOCAL LEAF FARMS
Room for growth in Ontario strawberries
With strawberry season upon us, what better time than now to explore producing more of this Ontario favourite close to home? A new report by the Greenbelt Foundation highlights how opportunities to expand production of strawberries and a number of other crops could bring in $100 million in added revenue for southern Ontario farmers and stock store shelves with more local fruits and vegetables.
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With field-grown strawberries feeding just 14 to 16 per cent of Ontario’s current consumption, greenhouse producers could help strengthen local supply.
According to Plant the Seeds: Opportunities to Grow Ontario’s Fruit and Vegetable Sector, Ontario consumed approximately 50,000 tonnes (110.2 million lbs.) of strawberries between July 2018 and June 2019.
Currently, Ontario’s 675 strawberrygrowing farms produce 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes of the crop each year, which represents 14 to 16 per cent of the province’s annual consumption. However, there is an opportunity to grow production, supplying 50 per cent of the province’s annual consumption to bring in an additional $45.5 million in farm-gate revenue.
The report identifies an opportunity to add 2,850 acres of field-grown strawberries in southern Ontario. Based on an average yield of 3.5 tonnes/ acre, this could supply up to 37.5 per cent of the province’s annual consumption. Day-neutral strawberries could increase this expansion further, with higher yields per acre, meaning acreage could increase by only 1,500 acres and still represent a 150 per cent increase in field-grown strawberries.
Adding to it, greenhouse-grown strawberries can help lengthen the market through the October to mid-June period – before local fieldgrown strawberries are available. Year-round indoor production can complement field-grown strawberries, allowing for an expansion that exceeds 37.5 per cent of consumption to meet well over 50 per cent of Ontario’s needs.
Ontario strawberry growers face some challenges. In particular, they have to compete
with strawberries from large multinational suppliers such as Driscoll, Natureripe, and Dole, which come in at lower prices and can offer a critical mass of strawberries year-round to retailers. Additional greenhouse strawberry production, however, would help provide a more consistent local supply. Further to this, an alliance between field growers and greenhouse growers could provide major buyers with their 52-week strawberry supply requirement.
This presents a key opportunity for greenhouse growers to access unrealized revenue and help the province reduce its reliance on foreign imports. Depending on the specific operation, greenhouse growers may only have to make minimal investments in equipment and plants in order to rise to this opportunity. Some growers are experimenting with light spectrum and intensity to optimize production, taste and texture. Beneficial insects and pollination bees are also being finetuned, while others are exploring varieties different from field production, specifically for indoor cultivation and the North American market.
With COVID-19 slowing Ontario’s economy, the expansion of key crops is an important avenue for rural economic stimulus. As Kathy Macpherson, vice-president of Greenbelt Foundation articulates, “If Ontario can provide a greater critical mass of strawberries and throughout more of the year, a virtuous cycle could develop where consumers start expecting more local strawberries, and the market is driven forward.”
Ultimately, growers, marketers, retailers, research and development institutions, and governments all have a role to play in expanding strawberry production. Alison Robertson, executive director of Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), calls the report “timely” and says that, “as Canadians emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, it is my hope that the public and governments have a new appreciation for food sovereignty and security. As we continue to address ongoing challenges in the agri-food sector, such as competing in a global market and declining margins, we must also explore opportunities to increase Ontario production.”
Michael Young is the communications advisor for the Greenbelt Foundation.
PHOTO
CREDIT: GREENBELT FOUNDATION
Beyond 2020
GARDEN MUMS: To produce and protect
From irrigation and fertilizer to pests and diseases, optimize your garden mum production with these quick pointers.
BY DR. SARAH JANDRICIC AND DR. CHEVONNE DAYBOLL
Summer is in full swing and so too are garden mums. Although generally an easy crop, there are several tweaks you can make to help save headaches and money. Here are some pointers to help optimize your irrigation, fertilizer and pest management programs in garden mums.
IRRIGATION METHOD MATTERS
Given the large acreage often occupied by garden mums, your watering strategy is one place where you can look to save money. There are plenty of options for irrigation in potted outdoor crops, but not all are created equal when it comes to maximizing water efficiency. Overhead irrigation by boom, or sprinkler is not efficient
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if your pots are not spaced tightly. Canopy sizes in the later months of production may make this impossible, especially if you choose to go with final spacing when the pots first move outside. These methods of irrigation can also lead to pots that are too dry (not watered) or too wet (over watered). Plants can only use water that makes it into the pot, so low volume drip line or tape is more effective for delivering usable water to your outdoor crops. Remember, drip line only reduces lost irrigation volumes if it is used properly. A “set it and forget it” approach doesn’t work. Look for kinked lines and clogged emitters, and make sure connections are tight. Know your application volumes and irrigate
One mite-sachet per pot provides protection against thrips when garden mums are grown inside. Tuck sachets within the plant canopy to provide the right humidity for optimal performance.
based on crop needs and weather patterns, not a set schedule.
FERTILIZER CHOICE
There are a few schools of thought when it comes to fertilizer types for garden mums. Some growers prefer to have more control over crop nutrition and choose water soluble mixes. The benefit of this is that mixes can be quickly changed if needed. Others choose to use controlled release fertilizers incorporated into the growing media and then irrigate with water only. Both have their pros and cons.
As with irrigation, nutrients that don’t stay with the plant can’t be used by it. The amount of nutrients staying with the plant are usually highest when controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) are used with carefully monitored irrigation. Nutrients are usually lowest when water soluble fertilizers are applied in high volumes (resulting in a lot of irrigation running through pots) and irrigation efficiency is low. To keep the fertilizer where you want it, it’s important to irrigate only enough to saturate the pot. Both formulations have their pros and cons, so make sure whatever you’ve chosen is easily managed.
Water Soluble Fertilizers Controlled Release Fertilizers
• Higher risk for leaching
• Fine tuning advantage for production needs (i.e. need to green up before shipping)
• Volumes of irrigation applied greatly influence the impact
PEST ISSUES
• Choose the right product based on your irrigation methods, formulation and the release curve
• Ask supplier to verify the product and rate against your production needs before incorporating
The good news is that garden mums grown outdoors simply don’t have the same pest pressures as pot mums. Why? A lot of this has to do with natural enemy populations from surrounding agricultural lands that seem to keep a lot of pests in check. To conserve these free biocontrol agents, avoid spraying if you can. If you do spray, choose a product that is compatible with beneficials so you don’t end up with a larger problem on your hands from secondary pests. The following are some pest issues you may see.
Thrips: Rarely a problem outside, western flower thrips –and even onion thrips – can affect garden mums grown indoors. Unfortunately, this species of chrysanthemum generally does not tolerate the usual recommendation of oil dips for cuttings. A better bet is to reduce incoming thrips on this crop (which you should consider as “sensitive”) using dips in BotaniGard. After sticking, predatory mite sachets (one per pot) are your best bet for long-term protection of spaced plants. Rather than Amblyseius swirskii, A. cucumeris is the more economical choice for this crop. Given how quickly the crop grows, penetration of the soil with drenches of nematodes may not be feasible within a few weeks. A good secondary measure would be foliar applications of Beauveriacontaining biopesticides (e.g. BotaniGard, BioCeres), if needed. Growers also use a high density of large mass trapping cards in this crop to help avoid thrips infestations from fly-ins in the summer. A density of 8 cards per 1,000 square ft. is suggested for floriculture crops (approximately four cards per bench).
Aphids: We sometimes see these pop up in garden mums. If they do become a problem, and it seems to happen later in the season (late August/September), wait to apply pesticides until you actually see them. This also helps to avoid unnecessary applications.
SOAP = CLEAN
Registered for use on cannabis raised indoors, KOPA insecticidal soap controls whiteflies, spider mites, aphids and other soft-bodied insect and mite pests on contact.
OMRI® CANADA Listed for organic production, KOPA can be used right up until the day of harvest. KOPA is lethal to pests, yet it is of low risk to workers and the environment.
KOPA. When clean product is your only marketable option.
Beleaf (flonicamid) is a good option as it is a) soft on beneficials, b) can be applied via drench through irrigation lines, and c) cheap! Altus is a newer registration that is also a good option for aphids and other sucking pests.
Tarnished plant bug: Also known as the Lygus bug, TPB can be an issue in August once buds form. It is particularly damaging, as their bud feeding causes severe flower deformation. Frequently, one variety or one side of the field gets hit first. Make sure to walk
Working hard to make growing easier.
Guelph: 1-877-821-1684
orders@kams.ca
Kingsville: 519-839-4778
kvorders@kams.ca
the crop regularly, and look for adult bugs and aborted petals on open flowers. TPB can be controlled with pesticides applied for other sucking insects (e.g. aphids).
Leafhoppers: These can fly in from the same surrounding agricultural lands as your free natural enemies and can seem like an issue since they jump around plants as you pass by. The good news is, they don’t seem to do any real damage to crops. Resist the urge to spray, and simply make sure that your workers give the plants a good shake to dislodge any adults before packing.
Japanese beetle: While generally not a problem on garden mums, recall that all plants produced outside from June 15 to September 30 need to be treated for JB if you plan to export or ship to a JB-free zone.
Diseases: Chrysanthemum white rust – a quarantinable disease – is theoretically possible, but it has only been detected once in Ontario in the last decade thanks to regulations requiring plant material to be sourced from white rust-free facilities. Still, many growers treat with Nova (myclobutanil) as a precaution, especially when exporting. Other diseases such as bacterial blight, Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia are more common, but generally aren’t big issues in Ontario production. If problems develop, a good guide to disease symptoms and cultural management in garden mums can be found on this fact sheet from the University of Kentucky (https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/ files/ppfs-or-h-10.pdf).
Want to improve your natural enemy predation outside? Some growers in the U.S. use banker or “companion” plants such as alyssum, calendula and borage along field edges to attract parasitic wasps, Orius and syrphid flies.
This article was adapted from the authors’ ONFloriculture blog. For more on mum and hydrangea production, water and fertilizer use, sensitive crops, particular pests and diseases mentioned and more, visit ONFloriculture.com.
Chevonne Dayboll, PhD, is the greenhouse floriculture specialist and Sarah Jandricic, PhD, is the greenhouse floriculture IPM specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. They can be reached at chevonne.dayboll@ontario.ca and sarah.jandricic@ontario.ca
TOP LEFT: An adult tarnished plant bug (TPB). RIGHT: Garden mum flowers showing aborted petals that are characteristic of TPB feeding. BOTTOM LEFT: An adult TPB feeding on a bud.
Eretline
Introduce Eretmocerus eremicus as soon as possible after transplanting to ensure a whitefly clean crop. Available as cards or innovative Blister packs.
Encarline Mix
Encarsia and Eretmocerus released together from Blister packs or cards.
Swirskiline
Predatory mite Amlyseius swirskii is highly effective at high temperatures and a great option to control whitefly eggs, larvae and Lewis mites before spacing the crop.
Greenhouse training facility preps youth with horticultural skills
Students learn the ins and outs of the business in a hands-on experiential environment.
BY JEFF CROSBY
Operating out of a 60,000 square foot greenhouse facility on the eastern boundary of London, Ontario, a not-for-profit social enterprise has been building partnerships in education to teach youth in an innovative skills development program.
Greenhouse Academy, or GHA for short, has designed a one-of-a-kind learning program that provides students with opportunities to develop global competencies. These competencies highlight the need for students to meet the shifting and ongoing demands of life, work, and learning; all while contributing to other positive outcomes such as their education, environmental stewardship, relationship building, future employment, and their personal health and well-being. GHA educational director Mike Crosby says, “Simply put, students need life skills. [These] skills allow you to work with others, identify and solve problems, direct your own learning, and interact with all members of the community.” At GHA, these life skills are developed in the workplace.
Each day, entire classrooms of students enter
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the academy. Participants are instantly divided into small groups throughout the facility to learn the many aspects of operating this existing perennial, tree and shrub production operation. Students work and learn alongside professionals from many different industries, creating an authentic learning experience that is extensive and all encompassing.
In addition to organizing and planning schedules for workshops, students coordinate sales events, create product displays and market products. They also manage inventory, complete daily chores, organize production lines, complete feasibility studies and use social media to communicate with other schools that partake in the program. “Students learn that the workplace is incredibly diverse, and every aspect of a business is incredibly important. There is a position for everyone, and no position is more or less important than the other,” says founder Jeff Crosby. At the end of every day, students gather for a period of reflection, going over the various goals that were achieved in the curriculum, while
Greenhouse Academy’s educational program allows students to learn hands-on horticultural skills, all while juggling the ongoing demands of life, work, and learning.
participating in this hands-on approach.
Helping to provide these educational opportunities at the GHA are in-kind partners who assist in product development, skills training, sales and career awareness. Community organizations, private businesses, or other educational programs are constantly working throughout the facility to engage students in new ways and introduce students to new industries. Throughout its development, GHA students have received opportunities to work alongside industry leaders such as Connon Nurseries NVK, Sheridan Nurseries, Wellington County Green Legacy Program, Unilock, Bluejay Irrigation, Landscape Ontario, Fanshawe College, Junior Achievement, TLC Landscaping, and Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development.
“We hope to introduce students to as many professionals as possible, breaking down barriers and eliminating traditional stereotypes that students have of many different industries and lines of work,” says Jeff.
Having started the program over three years ago, GHA has since worked with over 3,000 participants, ranging from high schools, elementary schools, college students through co-op placements, and special needs participants. Whether it be facilitating primary school field trips coordinated by high school students, encouraging community groups and businesses to work alongside students and create learning opportunities, or providing a supportive work environment for recreational therapists to help those with disabilities, GHA is building community connections.
The academy serves students living throughout the city of London, Elgin County, Oxford County, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Munsee Delaware Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames. GHA products are for sale in nurseries and markets throughout southwestern Ontario, as well as out of their own facility. GHA also provides contract growing services, facility rentals, and fundraisers using plant material. All sales and services support the sustainability of this notfor-profit and help to broaden its reach to more students and communities.
Learn more about Greenhouse Academy at www.greenhouseacademy.ca, or follow the GHA social media pages @GHAOntario for product sales and community events. To get your business or organization involved, email info@ greenhouseacademy.ca and help grow futures.
Jeff Crosby is founder of the Greenhouse Academy. He can be reached at jeff@ greenhouseacademy.ca.
With files from Mark Plotkins.
GROWING on the cutting edge
An entrepreneur, visionary and dedicated member of the community, Bert Mucci’s aspirations and achievements inspire not only his employees but the industry as a whole.
BY GRETA CHIU
BELOW
Starting with one acre, Bert Mucci now operates over 250 acres in North America.
The spirit and passion of this year’s Grower of the Year award winner is undeniable. Under the direction of chief executive officer Bert Mucci, Mucci Farms has become one of North America’s leading fresh produce providers, not to mention one of the most progressive.
“It all started in the mid-to-late 60s when my parents immigrated from Italy – they started Mucci Farms,” says Mucci. Already involved in the greenhouse at a young age, Mucci knew what his passion was in life and never looked back. Setting up his own greenhouse at the age of 18, Mucci began with one acre that quickly become three, and annual expansions soon followed. Today, Mucci Farms operates over 250 acres filled with greenhouse tomato, pepper, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce and strawberry. While the vast majority are located in Kingsville, Ontario, a tenth of their acres reside across Lake Erie in Huron, Ohio – a range that has continued to expand since its initial construction in 2017.
AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION
Visitors invited to any one of Mucci’s greenhouses will be struck by the level of automation and technology being deployed. With ongoing labour shortages in the horticultural sector, Mucci has made sizeable investments that have dramatically improved efficiencies as well as produce shelf-life.
“Packaging is one of the most labour intensive [tasks], especially with specialty packs. It takes a
lot of people to get these products out the door,” he says. While heavy, laborious duties such as palletizing and lifting have been largely automated in many greenhouse operations, Mucci has continued to search for sophisticated solutions to repetitive tasks. One of their key projects in recent years was an automated mini cucumber packaging line. “There are about 22 people that used to pack there…and now there are only two people manning those robotics.”
In 2016, Mucci partnered with Viscon Industries to become the first North American grower to install a fully automated, deep water system for hydroponic lettuce production. Without local knowledge to rely on, Mucci and his team had to trial and error every single detail of the system, but it was a welcome challenge. “It was a huge learning curve…and we are still learning with it every day.” Growing and harvesting 365 days a year, Mucci estimates that they produce 10 to 15 times more than the capacity of field lettuce production – and without a single human being in the greenhouse. “The only people you have there is in packaging,” he says.
Around the same time, Mucci partnered with Dutch growers Ton Bastiaansen and Joost van Oers to build the largest indoor strawberry farm in North America. “Currently at 36 acres, plans are already in place to double the acreage within the next year,” reveals Mucci Farms’ public relations and digital marketing manager, Ajit Saxena. “Propagation and trial programs happen on site, and the farm is equipped with swing gutters and a twotier hoist system to maximize production and control over the growing process.”
Furthering their commitment to the environment and to their customers, Mucci Farms introduced their paper top seal this year. Recognized by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s (CPMA) award for Packaging Innovation, the new, more environmentally friendly option replaces the plastic top seal film and makes both the PET tray and lid now entirely recyclable.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Though his operation may have achieved groundbreaking milestones over the years, Mucci isn’t one to forget the roles of 1,400 dedicated staff in Canada and the U.S. Heavily invested in employee well-being, Mucci places a high degree of emphasis on employee engagement and recognition, says Saxena.
Seeing the number of migrant workers who bike to work daily, Mucci encouraged the launch of the Ride Safe Program which equips workers with helmets and reflectors to reduce fatalities on the road. “We would not have this industry if these guys were not here. The greenhouse industry wouldn’t even exist in Leamington,” says Mucci. “Mucci Farms employs several migrant workers,” adds Saxena, “some of whom have been returning yearly for over 25 years, with a recent retiree who completed 39 years of service!”
To engage the next generation of horticulturalists, Mucci’s next pilot project is to invite groups of 10 to 20 students on a monthly basis from local post-secondary institutions. He hopes that this experience will give them a real-world look at what different greenhouse positions entail. “I think that’s how we’re going to bring in most of our growers,” he says. While many greenhouses are looking abroad, he’s aiming to attract and engage more domestic talent. “There’s rapid expansion happening in the industry, and they are just getting gobbled up as quick as they come. There are kids out there that have a real passion for growing vegetables.”
Giving back to the community has always been an important
part of Mucci’s work. “Under his direction, fresh produce is donated to multiple schools in the area on a weekly basis to promote healthy eating,” says Saxena.
More recently, Mucci partnered with Transition to Betterness, a local charity in Windsor that focuses on improving the lives of patients and their families struggling with life-altering illnesses. Together, they’re building a small vegetable greenhouse at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor, and it’s slated to open this fall. “A first of its kind in Canada, the greenhouse will serve a dual purpose of growing fresh produce for the hospital and as a healing garden for patients,” says Saxena.
FINDING BALANCE
A husband and father of two, Mucci juggles a busy schedule but still places great emphasis on family and his own personal health. “I run a lot, and I work a lot,” he says, laughing. “I love my family [and] it’s a great help having them on my side.”
Running ‘a lot’ is clearly an understatement. This humble 51-year-old powerhouse has completed the Ironman triathlon competition more than once, along with several other marathons over the years.
“His passion for long distance running
also birthed a fundraising campaign for the Make-A-Wish Foundation with an event called ‘50k for 50k’ – a grueling 50 kilometer run,” says Saxena. “Not only did Bert complete the race in a little over three hours, he exceeded the $50,000 target by $65,000! A total of $115,000 was raised, which made a wish come true for 12 terminally ill children rather than the original target of four.”
Known to inspire and lead by example, those around him say his ability to turn defeat into victory is both contagious and admirable, both on a professional and personal level. “His
humility keeps him behind the scenes, but his contributions to the industry and the lives of others is abundant in our company and community,” says Saxena.
“Part crop manager, part administrator, and part visionary… Bert is one of the best in Canada,” says Dave Harrison. Now retired, the former editor of Greenhouse Canada magazine had interacted with a number of growers in his 25 years at the helm, and there was no doubt that Mucci was a deserving recipient of this year’s Grower of the Year award. “He sees greenhouse horticulture as more than existing plants or product lines, but something in which to tap new opportunities in production, harvesting, automated packaging and marketing. The future of the industry rests with people such as Bert.”
“The greenhouse industry is the most interesting thing you can imagine because it changes yearly,” Mucci muses. “The way we grew a tomato, even five years ago, has changed. There are always new developments, new systems, new techniques for growing. Differences in greenhouse construction itself changes yearly. There’s so much involved.”
Amid an industry that is always in flux, Mucci says one thing hasn’t changed in the past 30 years – his source of motivation. “I want to be the best at what we do, and that is growing produce.”
With files from Mucci Farms
LEFT
Mucci currently operates the largest indoor strawberry farm in North America.
RIGHT
Mucci Farms’ lettuce production facility is completely automated.
Bigger, better and improved
Breeding the next new variety is a complicated process, building on previous work to meet both grower and consumer demands.
BY BART HAYES
Plant breeding is a complex process, not because it is inherently difficult to cross two plants to make a new one, but because it is not a simple, onetime occurrence. On the contrary, it is one that is continually and constantly refining and improving, incrementally, over time.
If we look at a genus like Calibrachoa that has been refined and developed over the past twenty years, you can see evidence of this incremental improvement. A novel trait that makes one variety a standout eventually makes its way through an entire series, or even species. We have seen this in Calibrachoa with its reduced pH sensitivity or daylength flowering requirements. When looking at a newly bred variety and at the selected traits, it is fairly easy to see the path followed by the breeder, especially when you compare it to older varieties. But this is a view in the “rearview mirror”; you are at the end result looking back at the process. The true challenge of plant breeding
ABOVE
is deciding which traits to select for while moving forward on that path to eventually reach a superior plant. It most likely requires the creation of several varieties along the way, each bringing an improvement over the last.
Because of its complexity, the breeding process requires a great deal of research, goal setting, and preparation to achieve the desired result. It can be split, roughly, into two halves: planning and execution. Both halves start from a broader, more general concept and end with a very narrow, more specific goal.
When planning the direction of a breeding program, the first step is to ask questions. What is the market demanding? More hanging baskets? More flowering shade items? More foliage interest items for combos? Talking to growers is the easiest way to see where the holes are in the market, and the answers we get will typically lead to several plant genera or categories that would fill those niches.
This Calibrachoa Calibasket Glamorous typifies many traits strived for when breeding: daylength neutrality, heavy flowering and branching, pH tolerance, and big flowers with a novelty pattern.
This guide is a comprehensive information source that considers the diversity of situations encountered by growers in businesses of all sizes.
The 220-page book maintains a focus on production and contains information that until now was available only in piecemeal form. It discusses the basicssuch as taxonomy and nomenclature, plant hardiness, the physical needs of crops, and types of irrigation systems-as well as cutting-edge, research-based information about perennial propagation and production.
A chapter about forcing out-of-season bloom includes up-to-date information about research on this topic as well as a table of specific forcing requirements for over 120 perennial species and cultivars.
Practical discussions about starting a business, marketing and customer service, setting prices for plants, and designing a production facility are included as well.
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The next questions have to do with our capacity or capabilities as a breeder. Some plants have extremely specific needs that are not always in line with what we are currently doing, so it does not make sense to work on them. Petunias and Calibrachoa are similar, so most breeders that work with one, work with the other, but Caladiums and Calibrachoa would be a challenge. Once you have narrowed down the plant use and category, you can start thinking about specific traits. It can be for colour, bloom size, pattern or any one of several specific characteristics that sets your breeding apart from other breeders.
Once you have decided which plant and characteristics to develop, you need to execute your strategy. The first step is to acquire a large pool of genetically diverse individuals of the plant category you wish to work with. This can include plants collected from the wild (when legally permitted – lots of laws and regulations here), all of one species or several related species, older vintage varieties, or the newest cutting-edge varieties on the market. For example, individual plants that are selected from arid regions or microclimates tend to be more drought tolerant than other members of their species from wetter environments. If they were used as a parent, the resulting progeny may retain some of their drought tolerance. Or, if there is an older variety with a great colour, you can bring it into your breeding program to see if you can pass the trait along.
Breeders will research and select their parent plants very carefully, even trialing plants for a few seasons to pick the ones exhibiting favourable qualities. Crosses between plants are planned, and the resulting seedlings are evaluated to see if any of the progeny exhibit the desired characteristics that are similar, or superior, to the parents. Out of the thousands of seedlings that can result from these crosses when combining multiple characteristics, only a few plants are going to exhibit all or most of what was being selected for. These will be held for further evaluation or new crosses. The relatively low success rate is frustrating, but it is critical that a successful breeding program remains extremely tough when making selections.
And finally, although it may not be the most exciting type of breeding to discuss, it may be the most important: revisiting your own established varieties and breeding improved versions. As counterintuitive as it may sound, this is the most challenging part of breeding and why companies specialize. It requires the most detailed knowledge of the varieties, an understanding of what the plants are genetically capable of, and the most critical seedling selection process. If you think about it, a new red Calibrachoa seedling is going to stand out in a greenhouse of purple seedlings, but selecting the best red out of a greenhouse full of red Calibrachoa seedlings requires a more time-consuming, careful approach. On top of that, an improved variety must encompass all the great traits that were selected for originally, plus an improved characteristic. Again, talking to growers is the easiest way to discover what characteristics are most important or need refining in a variety or series.
As time goes on, the gene pool improves overall through this gradual process. A calibrachoa from 10 years ago is unlikely to meet the same standards of today’s breeding. At this point, most Calibrachoa are tolerant of a wider pH range, flower earlier, branch better, and have larger flowers than their ancestors from a decade ago, regardless of the breeder. In ten years from now, those Calibrachoa will likely be considerably better than our current varieties. This constant push for new,
Breeding through the decades
Using yellow Calibrachoa as an example, here’s how breeding can improve varietal appearance over time.
2000: Celebration Sun. This was a colour breakthrough for Westhoff –the first yellow-blooming Calibrachoa from the program. The colour was not a pure, clear yellow and the plant was very vigorous in growth and habit.
2010/2011: Celebration Banana. After several crossings with Celebration Sun as a parent, we were able to select a large, clear yellow bloom on a less vigorous plant, but the plant was not daylength neutral so flowering was still late. The photo illustrates the improvement in habit very clearly.
2016/2017: Calitastic Gold: The next breakthrough for Westhoff was a compact, heavy branching series called Calitastic. Banana was used as a parent with another plant to create a yellow blooming variety, with good branching, earlier flowering, and compact growth. The yellow was a bit darker than Banana.
2020/2021: Calitastic Golden Sun. Calitastic Golden Sun is daylength neutral, compact, heavy branching, and has bright yellow blooms with a slightly lighter eye, larger blooms and darker colour than Calitastic Gold. By comparison, 2019/2020’s release of Calibasket Yellow (bottom photo) is a bit more vigorous, with early flowering and heavy branching. You can see improvements in overall size and colour, along with the addition of a red eye.
Next steps? Breeding continues for both Calitastics and Calibaskets, aiming for larger blooms with good clear yellow.
improved varieties drives the competition amongst plant breeders, resulting in continually better varieties for growers to produce and home gardeners to enjoy. For any breeder, the keys to maintaining a successful breeding program should be: open lines of communication with growers and customers, continuously critiquing your current market varieties for improvements, and focusing on products that help home gardeners succeed.
Bart Hayes is the sales manager for Westhoff/PAC Elsner. He can be reached at bart.hayes@westflowers.de
Manitoba announces $4.2M rebate for province’s first largescale greenhouse
The Manitoba government announced a rebate of up to $4.2 million for Vermillion Growers’ commercial greenhouse development, over a maximum of 20 years.
“The Manitoba Works Capital Incentive (MWCI) Program encourages businesses to invest and expand in our province by creating a competitive tax environment to help diversify Manitoba’s economy,” says Ralph Eichler, provincial minister of economic development and training. “We select projects like Vermillion Growers’ new greenhouse that focus on economic development and long-term job creation and substantially improve property values.”
Vermillion Growers started construction of the province’s first large-scale greenhouse in Manitoba and broke ground in June 2018. The high-tech hydroponic commercial greenhouse development in Dauphin is designed for vegetable production, consisting initially of tomatoes with plans to expand to a wide range of produce. Phase One of the project is a 10-acre facility, with plans to expand to 60 acres after five years of production. They plan to plant their first crop in early 2021.
“Having a large-scale greenhouse in Manitoba is very important from a food security standpoint – access to fresh, locally grown produce year-round is a great benefit for Manitobans,” says Blaine Pedersen, minister of Agriculture and Resource Development.
“Once fully built, the site will provide 60 acres of growing area, requiring the creation of 180 full-time positions. Vermillion Growers is thrilled by the support of the Manitoba government and looks forward to working with the province as Vermillion expands,” says Maria Deschauer, managing director and proprietor of Vermillion Growers.
The province unveiled the MWCI in May 2020 as a new approach to tax-increment financing that rebates the incremental education property taxes generated by a project. Approved projects receive a tax rebate based on the difference between pre-development property tax revenue and the increased amount generated by the completed project.
Source: Government of Manitoba
CLASSIFIED RATES: Minimum order $75.00 or 84¢ per word, word ads must be pre-paid. CLASSIFIED DISPLAYS: $72.00 per column inch, or $5.14 per agate line. GENERAL INFORMATION: Payment must accompany order. Copy required by the 1st of the month preceding publication. All advertising copy subject to the approval of the publisher. Send order and remittance to: Classified Dept., Greenhouse Canada, P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Dr. S., Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
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Timeless trends or fleeting fads?
A few years ago, I asked local garden centres and some of their wholesale suppliers what things were ‘trending’. They replied that consumers were looking for larger plants in larger pots, and that demand for herbs and veggie starts was increasing dramatically. The age of the instant food garden was dawning.
I don’t know if you’ve taken a suitably physically-distanced visit to your local garden centre this spring, but if yours is anything like the ones I visit here, and those that Greta sees in Ontario, you’ll probably have had a hard time trying to source vegetable seeds and young starts. I’d say that, not only has demand gone through the roof, it has blown the roof off completely.
A neighbour of mine has been busy building six magnificent raised beds in his backyard. His wife wants homegrown vegetables for their two hungry teenage boys. In fact, she has wanted these for the past seven years, and is delighted that the project is actually now happening. But as is his way, the neighbour doesn’t do a job ‘by halves’. This is wonderful news to the garden centre from where he gets his supplies, and this project must make any vegetables they harvest this year probably the most expensive per pound in history. But he’s having fun, physically exercising and the family will get fed.
joined their local community garden in Wales. It seems it truly is a global trend.
This is good news we should be thankful for in the midst of the pandemic. But it does raise a few concerns/questions. Firstly, it exposes the vulnerability of our seed supply system. I’ve not heard too much about the large multi-national commercial seed suppliers (although global transport has clearly had a significant impact on this sector), but many smaller specialized seed producers have run out of stock (or come very close to), as explained in the BBC article. From hundreds of such businesses in the UK, the number has dwindled over the years. Where does this leave the consumer base when sourcing seeds for their gardens in the future?
Secondly, what does this mean in planning for next year? Do we plan for more customers like my neighbour, will there be fewer new gardeners next year after this blip, or worse (purely from a gardens’ points of view), will the pandemic be over and veggie patches be turfed over again? It really does make planning very difficult. I certainly hope the health crisis will be over, for everyone’s sake, but obviously I hope the garden habit continues too.
...many smaller
specialised seed producers have run out of stock
I know he is not the only one having a first go at growing their own vegetables. People really are taking this to heart, and being at home more, have the opportunity to begin the adventure. Two days after I started this column, the BBC published an article on just the same topic: “Coronavirus: Seed sales soar as more of us become budding gardeners”.1 The story followed the boom in business of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds suppliers in Missouri (“The biggest day we’ve had in our 22year history was Monday, 30 March”, Jere Gettle1), a seed co-operative in the UK (“We’ve had good levels of stock, but lots of others are now running out,” David Price1) and an indoor ‘gardening box’ business start-up in Berlin that began just two weeks before the COVID lockdown, as well as a wild flower seed-bomb producer in Scotland and a pair of eight- and five-year-old sisters who have
Just this week (as of writing), garden centres in the UK have been allowed to re-open after many weeks of lockdown. I’m sure that trade will be brisk with all the pent-up demand and good weather. For some however, it may unfortunately be too late, and the UK garden centre landscape may look quite different next year. Here in BC however, without the full lockdown that the UK experienced, horticulture has been an essential industry and garden centre trade has been ‘nuts’ all season long, with many parking lots full of eager customers. Either way, I’m glad I’m not responsible for predicting new consumer trends and sales for the next 18 months.
1 Timmins, Beth, “Coronavirus: Seed sales soar as more of us become budding gardeners” BBC News 7 May 2020 https://www. bbc.com/news/business-52544317
Gary Jones is a faculty member in the School of Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley, BC. He sits on several industry committees and welcomes comments at Gary.Jones@kpu.ca.
