Quebec’s beloved pink tomato leaves the greenhouse | 25
Rooted in health
How to start with a healthy rootzone in poinsettias and potted mums | 28
Combat the strain
Ergonomic tips for greenhouse workers | 34
JULY 2021 greenhousecanada.com
Exceptionnelle varieties of 2021
The public has spoken. 12 varieties join the winning roster of Quebec’s horticultural program. By Annie Champagne | 10 Editorial 4 Industry News 6 New Varieties 8
A Circular Economy 18
Finding a sustainable growing medium
Inside View 38
Enabling the next generation 25 28 34
A disappearing act in pink
Why this popular pink tomato is being discontinued
This year’s rising young greenhouse stars revealed. Image by: Urban Fig Photography | Pg. 12
BY DOUG JOHNSON
Rooted in health
Ways to improve rootzone health in poinsettias and potted mums BY
GRETA CHIU
Posture perfect Four areas of focus to prevent strain and discomfort in the greenhouse
BY KRISTIN HOFFMAN
FROM THE EDITOR
Broadening the hiring lens
In May, Ottawa announced $21.4 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP), funding 2,000 jobs for youth in the agriculture sector.
During the virtual announcement, what I found most interesting was how producers used the opportunity to hire youth without prior agricultural experience.
“The program really reinforced our belief that you do not need to grow up on a farm to work on a farm,” said Ryan Kasko, general manager of Kasko Cattle Co. Ltd. in Alta. Some of their most successful employees have been from nonagricultural backgrounds. Their current farm manager attended university to become an actuary while working on their farm, but switched gears and joined their farm after graduation. “He’s got a lot of knowledge of technology around GPS and the use of drones and doing trials with different crops. He’s a great success story of someone that would be a non-traditional farm kid that had great success working on a farm.”
access to labour and jobs for youth, but open the doors to the next generation. This becomes increasingly important as the average farmer ages beyond 60.
In our cover story this month, we reveal our Top 4 Under 40 winners. They’re innovative, forward-thinking and smart. Among them, two are from non-agricultural backgrounds. Both had different career goals before a chance encounter led them down the horticultural path. They did the research, pursued the training needed and never looked back. As Chris Knezetic of Qualitree Propagators in B.C. noted, it’s all pretty daunting when one has no prior experience, knowledge or contacts before starting in a whole new industry.
So how can we open the eyes of more young people to this sector?
In a recent discussion on skillsbased hiring hosted by LinkedIn, Lauren Gardner, corporate VP of global talent acquisition at Microsoft, asked, “how do we screen in talent rather than screen out?” The company is working to hire based
“How do we screen in talent rather than screen out?”
“I encourage all the farmers out there to give young people a chance, who may not have the exact kind of resume or background that you’d expect to be successful.”
Also on the call was Justin Williams, chair of the Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum and a dairy farmer in Ont., who pointed out how increasing urbanization is reducing exposure to agriculture, and as a result, few realize it’s a career option.
According to the release, young people were among the hardest hit during COVID-19, with more job losses than any other age group. Programs like this not only provide
on potential, reassessing the knowledge, skills and abilities needed. “We interview for a learner mindset: can people grow? Can they develop? How do we hire them beyond the job that they’re interviewing for?”
This approach is allowing them to broaden the lens and pool of potential candidates. But to hire based on skill and potential, rather than linear experience, means the company itself needs to have support and growth systems in place. She emphasizes that it requires partnering with the industry overall to invest in the talent pipeline. Perhaps there’s a similar opportunity here for horticulture.
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New BPV regulations in effect for Ontario
Starting July 1, 2021, new installations of boilers, pressure vessels (BPV), fitting and pipings used for agricultural purposes in Ontario must comply with TSSA regulatory and code requirements.
This also applies to those needing repair, alteration, upgrading and/or replacement.
The previous exemption for agricultural BPVs was lifted last summer due to growing safety concerns.
A TSSA BPV inspector conducts an installation
inspection of the equipment before it can be used, then issues a Certificate of Inspection (COI). After, owners must request an inspection from their insurer or from TSSA prior to the expiry date on their COI.
Any BPV incidents that cause injury, death or property damage must be reported.
TSSA is currently developing a five-year plan to bring all existing agricultural BPVs into compliance.
More details available at greenhousecanada.com.
Greenhouse producers among Canada’s Best Managed
Deloitte revealed its list of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 2021.
Among them, both Red Sun Farms and Mastronardi Group (Sunset) of Kingsville, Ont., as well as The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy), have retained Platinum Club status, a category for those who have been named Best Managed for seven or more consecutive years.
Bradford Greenhouses Ltd. in Ont. retained
Gold Standard Status, which recognizes companies named Best Managed for four to six years in a row.
Home Hardware was also recognized for the third year in a row.
Now in its 28th year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies remains one of the country’s leading recognition programs for Canadian-owned and managed companies.
Applicants are evalu-
Revisit Virtual Grower Day 2021
Missed Greenhouse Canada’s virtual Grower Day?
Relive the action by heading to growerday.ca.
The virtual event took place June 22, featuring a mix of live and recorded sessions for greenhouse flower and vegetable growers.
Differing from last year’s event, the new interactive platform allowed attendees to interact live with panelists, speakers and other attendees through instant messages and video calls.
This year’s theme focused on business sustainability – in energy, integrated pest management, new technology and business practices. Featuring practical advice and thoughtprovoking discussions, industry experts and growers took part from across Canada.
Register and watch the recordings at growerday.ca
ated by an independent judging panel of representatives from program sponsors and special guest judges. This year’s Best Managed companies share commonalities that included enabling a remote workforce, making employee health a top priority, acting with an increased sense of purpose and social responsibility, and a significantly heightened focus on cash flow.
Award winners must
also have revenues over $25M and demonstrate strategy, capability and commitment to achieving sustainable growth.
“The contribution these companies provide to Canada cannot be overstated. Every year, Best Managed winners are raising the bar of excellence in Canadian business,” says Kari Lockhart, partner at Deloitte Private and co-leader of the recognition program. With files from: Deloitte
BY THE NUMBERS
Employment in 2020
32,868 people were employed by greenhouses in 2020
8,920 people were employed by nurseries in 2020
• 18,084 were seasonal employees (
• 14,784 were permanent employees ( UP 4.3%)
• 5,837 were seasonal employees ( DOWN 7.9%)
• 3,083 were permanent employees ( DOWN 1.4%)
Kalanchoe Deck’d Out
Bred to be vigorous and grown for its size, this new kalanchoe series was trialled in multiple zones for summer performance and are ideal for the outdoors and displayed in large containers instead of inground. As the name suggests, the low maintenance kalanchoe is designed to fit any deck or patio. Said to be extremely drought -tolerant with high mildew resistance and excellent performance in the heat, the series offers non-stop flowering and attracts loads of pollinators. Four launch colours: Premium Pink, Radiant Rose (pictured), Mad Magenta and the bi-colour California Coral. dummenorangena.com
Impatiens Beacon Rose
A new colour for 2022 launches in the Beacon series of impatiens with high resistance to impatiens downy mildew. The mounded, upright ‘Rose’ is well-branched with medium vigour and clear rose flowers. Pair long-lasting Beacon impatiens with other shade-loving annuals for upscale mixes at retail. Shade to partial-sun. 36-46 cm tall, 30-35 cm wide. panamseed.com
Begonia Rex Bewitched Night Owl
An eye-catching addition to the Bewitched series, the clean, crisp colour contrast of Night Owl accompanies the aggressive Bewitched behaviour consumers have come to love. Perfect for a shady spot on the porch or indoors all year long. green-fuse.com
Lollies Argyranthemum
Lollies is a new uniform Argyranthemum series comprised of five bright selections that give a sweet treat of colour to any retail display. Each variety in the Lollies collection was selected for their uniformity in habit, flower shape and early finish without supplemental lighting. This series is well-suited for gallon/15cm-size pots or larger. Well-branched and early blooming, with a naturally compact mounded habit. Pictured: Berry Gummy danzigeronline.com
Bold and brazen for outrageous combinations, the striking colours and unique, clear flower patterns of this vegetative annual collection brightens up retail programs and gardens. The collection includes both vigorous and compact varieties,
Spreading Petunia E3 Easy Wave
creating bold options for combinations. In mixed combos or on their own, bees and butterflies love the fiery blossoms. New for 2022: Eternal Flame, Imperial Luck, Rising Sun (pictured) and Samurai. 20-30 cm tall, 41-61 cm wide. syngentaflowers-us.com
Said to be Early, Efficient, and the Evolution of Easy Wave, E3 is a brand-new series that flowers at 10 hours daylength so it’s ready to kick off spreading petunia sales even earlier at retail. It has a manageable, uniform shape and vigour and offers simple production to save on labour costs. Its mounding, spreading habit offers a 3D landscape effect, long bloom time and sheer colour value, creating impressive baskets and planters. Plants can be grown at lower PGR rates than Easy Wave. They also stay full and lush for longer at retail for increased sell-through. 15-30cm tall, 64-81cm wide. panamseed.com
Brawn and beauty for season-extending programs, the vigour and uniformity of this F1 hybrid offer easy production and superior landscape performance. Heat-loving, this annual holds up to summer stress and provides reliable height and structure to landscape beds. Its more compact habit allows for larger-scale production in smaller formats. Improved with richer, eye-catching colour, and better branching for quick repeat flowering. No priming required, improving seed quality and uniformity of young plant stands. New for 2022: Blush, Lavender, Purple (pictured), Rose, White, and Mix. 0.9-1.1 m tall, 61-91 cm wide. syngentaflowers-us.com
Bidens Brazen
Les Exceptionnelles 2021: Spectacular foliage, flowers and fruit
Even a pandemic couldn’t keep the Quebec’s public and horticultural professionals from choosing this year’s Les Exceptionnelles. Meet the 12 winning varieties.
DBY ANNIE CHAMPAGNE
espite the unprecedented health crisis, the public and horticultural experts were once again present during the 2020 summer season to evaluate and vote for their favourite annuals and vegetables in the three trial gardens in Quebec.
The program’s plants were presented in each garden: the Montreal Botanical Garden, the Daniel A. Séguin Garden and, for the very first time, the Domaine Joly-De Lotbinière, which replaced the Roger-Van den Hende Garden in Quebec City due to COVID closures.
The 2021 selection is original and diverse while retaining the main feature common among all the winners since the inception of the program in 2006: high-performance plants requiring little maintenance.
Eight annuals and four vegetables will join the list of winning varieties. They were each awarded for their complimentary characteristics: spectacular foliage, uninterrupted flowering, abundant fruits or surprising volume!
THE ANNUALS
[1]Little Miss Zoe Alstroemeria
This is a new cultivar; a dwarf selection with variegations of dark green and tender green with a dominance of lime. From late spring to October, Little Miss Zoe produces flowers with six reddish pink petals.
[2] Ever-Blooming Begonia Double Up Red
This begonia displays unique and continuous flowering throughout the summer, offering small red roses gathered in terminal bouquets. Flowering is maintenance-free, with faded flowers being eliminated naturally.
[3]Chameleon Double Desert Rose Calibrachoa
This calibrachoa offers double, medium-sized flowers in a palette of different shades of yellow, pink and orange. Its incessant flowering is a highlight for hanging baskets, containers and balconies.
[4] Sol Lizzard Leaf Silver Celosia
Celosias are known for their feathery, flame-shaped spikes; but not this one! The foliage, mostly green on the inside, turns burgundy on the outside within two weeks. In addition, its leaves tend to curl, which gives the plant a fantastic look!
[5] Dragon Heart Coleus
This plant is the one that has received the most public praise. Its colouring is very bright: the center of the fuchsia-coloured leaf is surrounded by burgundy veins which form streaks across the chartreuse border.
[6] ‘Elegant Feather’ Boneset
Large spaces often require a majestic presence that structures them and gives them character. This is what this superb plant with wispy foliage offers. Elegant Feather is spectacular on its own, in the background of flower beds, or as a featured plant in large containers.
[7] ‘Ice Crystal’ Frosted Ficinia
This foliage plant forms a small, low tuft of narrow, slightly curved dark green leaves. They are highlighted by a small white border formed by a fine pure white silky net, which gives it a frosted appearance. A highly popular choice for its original look.
[8] Royale Luscious Red Zone Lantana
This lantana produces small balls of red
or two-toned flowers of red and golden yellow. Its multitude of small, flamboyant blooms attract pollinators and it is very resistant to summer drought.
THE VEGETABLES
[9] Butternut squash ‘Autumn Frost’
Resistant to powdery mildew, this 2021 novelty produces a fruit that is similar in taste to butternut squash. Its frosted orange skin and round, ribbed shape give it a unique appearance.
[10] The cucamelon
Halfway between watermelon and cucumber, the cucamelon has a surprising taste reminiscent of cucumber but with a tangy note. This fruit, ideal for urban agriculture, is a climbing or running plant that grows in full sun and in cool, rich soil.
[11] Ethiopian eggplant ‘Turkish Orange’
Its charming round shape and orange colour with stripes make it a very decorative vegetable. This neat selection, which is native to Turkey, adapts very well to the growing conditions in Canada.
[12] The ‘Orangeto’ tomato
This new orange cherry tomato is very sweet and tasty. The Orangeto produces a high yield of fruit and can be grown almost anywhere due to its small size, even in small spaces.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022
For 15 years now, Les Exceptionnelles has been an entirely Quebec-run horticultural assessment program which calls on the public to vote for their favourite plants each summer. The varieties submitted are also rigorously evaluated for their general appearance, their floridity, their visual impact and their resistance to insects and diseases.
In 2020, thousands of people saw the trials and over 7,000 votes were compiled. The public’s choices were then evaluated by a selection committee made up of horticultural experts and industry representatives to ensure technical performance and supply.
A first for this program, four trial gardens will host future Exceptionnelles for the 2022 program! Be sure to come and take a breath of fresh air in any of these four gardens; you will certainly be amazed! Les Exceptionnelles displays opened June 15 and trials will run until late August at the Montreal Botanical Garden, the Roger-Van den Hende University Garden, the Daniel A. Séguin Garden and the Domaine JolyDe Lotbinière.
Annie Champagne is the project manager for Les Exceptionnelles at Québec Vert (formerly FIHOQ, the Fédération interdisciplinaire de l’horticulture ornementale du Québec). She can be reached at annie.champagne@quebecvert.com.
TOP 4 UNDER 40: On the path to success
Innovative, entrepreneurial and forward-thinking, this year’s
Top 4 Under 40 winners represent some of the best among the next generation of horticulture.
For this year’s Top 4 Under 40 winners, their inquisitive minds, strong wills and unbeatable determination were just some of the common traits displayed by this engaging group of rising young greenhouse stars.
Whether they grew up in horticulture or uncovered their passions later in life, all paths have led them to a flourishing career in the greenhouse. Here are this year’s winners.
ADAM SNEEK
BY GRETA CHIU
The Mill Greenhouses Ridgeway Ridgeway, Ont.
Growing up in his parent’s greenhouse and garden centre, Adam Sneek had always had a deep appreciation for the horticulture
sector. “I knew that I would one day want to raise my own family with the same kind of ability to be there for them when they need me,” he says.
When an old greenhouse came up for sale 13 years ago, then 24-year-old Adam seized the opportunity to establish a separate, independent location for himself –
The Mill Greenhouses Ridgeway. His wife, Diana, joined him shortly after. “It has now become something that I wouldn’t want to do without her and my children,” he says.
Within a few years, Adam had turned the rundown property into a viable business. Adding a boiler system and energy curtains, he picked up various skilled trades including electrical, plumbing and carpentry to repair and upgrade the building.
Adam Sneek
PHOTO: JAMIELEE VAIL
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Leanna James
Diana has seen firsthand how Adam continuously strives to improve quality and expand their product range to meet the needs of gardeners in their community, turning their business into a popular retail destination for the Greater Fort Erie area. “He experiments with new varieties and ways of growing and is still learning to streamline [and] use our space in the best way possible,” she says. Over the years, they’ve added areas for trees and shrubs, as well as houseplants and tropicals. They’ve also dedicated more time to social media, reaching a whole new audience of plant lovers.
Growing more than 80 per cent of the product they sell, the Mill Greenhouses Ridgeway has a 30,000-sq.ft. footprint, but adds 20,000 sq.ft. of outdoor area during the spring season.
“Last year, we shifted all our sales area to a new outside space due to COVID-19. This decision was made for the safety of our staff as well as our family, which like many other families with young children, had to come to work with us,” says Adam.
The pivot to outdoor retail was a welcome change, and the owners received glowing feedback from customers on safety and comfort. In addition to budding plans for greenhouse expansion, it’s also given them ideas on how to use the space for growing and retail going forward.
“Working hard and doing my best to produce a wide variety of quality products for gardeners in our community is what makes me strive to always do better,” says Adam.
LEANNA JAMES Envirofresh (Mastronardi Produce/Sunset)
Sombra, Ont.
“My love of growing started when I first took a horticulture course in college,” says Leanna James, grower and operations manager at Envirofresh Produce in Sombra, Ont.
Originally intent on pursuing a career in social services at the time, James switched gears and applied to the greenhouse technician program at Niagara College. She was offered a position shortly after as general labourer at Envirofresh, a division of Mastronardi Produce under the Sunset brand.
“Envirofresh was a perfect place for me to grow as a person, leader and professional,” says James. She was able to build on the training from Niagara College, and credits much of the handson training opportunities to her mentor and head grower, Marco Verkade.
“Her dedication and willingness to collaborate has been a key force in driving the success of Envirofresh production and labour efficiencies,” says Verkade. “Leanna works passionately and has successfully increased efficiency and excellence in labour to produce the besttasting, highest quality snacking tomato, all while increasing the bottom line.”
Not only did she play an integral part in transitioning the facility from sweet bell peppers to grape tomatoes, Verkade says James continues to find innovative ways to streamline production while improving sweetness and acidity,
ensuring a consistent, delicious-tasting product every time.
“Leanna ensures her team is constantly informed and on top of new ways in growing for flavour, quality and sustainability,” says Verkade. “Not only has Leanna constantly pushed the boundaries when it comes to growing amazing tasting tomatoes, but she is always willing to explore new advancements in high-tech greenhouse growing.”
As a leader, Verkade says James is always ready and willing to mentor and coach other employees, regardless of position or title. “She is open, honest and always willing to lend a helping hand.”
“I can’t begin to explain how lucky I feel to have had this first shot with a company such as Mastronardi Produce/ Sunset,” says James. “To lead a team in productivity, to see gains in difficult situations such as pepper weevil and COVID, this is an industry where the sky is the limit and we get better every year.”
In her eight years at Envirofresh, she’s seen the facility grow from 30 employees to 100.
“I am so happy that I chose growing as my career choice, but … at this point, I feel like it chose me.”
CHRIS KNEZETIC Qualitree Propagators
Rosedale, B.C.
“I didn’t just want a job, but a fulfilling career to be proud of,” says Chris Knezetic, greenhouse grower at Qualitree Propagators in Rosedale, B.C.
Trying on various jobs in his 20s, including a nine-year role as a painting contractor and eventually partner, Knezetic had a hard time pinning down the right career.
“As much as I enjoyed the money as a contractor, it wasn’t fulfilling at all,” he says. “I wanted something more. I needed a sense of purpose, otherwise what is the point?”
Speaking with contacts in the agricultural sector, Knezetic became intrigued by greenhouse work and pursued it. He met with greenhouse growers whose valuable insights encouraged him to enroll in the agriculture program at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). Shortly after his second year, he stumbled across a posting for line supervisor at Qualitree.
“At first I thought that I didn’t have the experience and shouldn’t apply, but I went for it anyway.” He didn’t get the job. Instead, Qualitree hired him as a part-time assistant grower and brought him on full-
PHOTO CREDIT: MASTRONARDI PRODUCE
time after the semester’s end. “I was elated.”
“He rose to the occasion,” says human resources manager, Mayra Molsberry, “and within a few years he was Qualitree’s greenhouse grower, managing the crops in the new greenhouse facility.”
Having the freedom to explore and try out new techniques is one of Knezetic’s favourite parts about working at Qualitree. Among both successful and failed projects, the use of vapour pressure deficit (VPD) is perhaps one of his best comeback stories. Instead of using plastic sheets to root cuttings, the VPD technique relies on a high pressure fog system to regulate and stabilize the humidity.
“On our first attempt, we managed to lose about 50 per cent of our crop and swore off the fog unit to the point of almost decommissioning [it],” shares Knezetic. But the following season saw abnormally hot temperatures in the greenhouse bays. The team used the fog to help control the climate and saw exponential crop growth in the process, restarting Knezetic’s resolve to try the VPD technique in propagation.
Today, they use the VPD technique on 10 genera and counting.
“Switching to this method has increased crop yields, crop health and reduced labour and material costs,” says Knezetic. “It’s effective enough that we have commissioned almost all of the phase two section of our greenhouse with a fog machine.”
To engage the next generation of
horticulturalists, Knezetic gives guest talks at UFV, sharing advice, experiences and an excitement that comes with exploring unrealized possibilities in horticultural production.
“There is so much to learn. I know I’ll never stop learning, and I will never stop teaching.”
JUSTIN GEERTSEMA
Greenhill Produce Thamesville, Ont.
Even at a very young age, Justin Geertsema knew that he wanted to farm with his dad, Rob.
In 2000, Rob led Greenhill Produce to build their first six-acre pepper greenhouse. With Justin involved, the operation has since expanded to 127 acres with another 25 acres on the way.
It’s evident that Justin’s passion doesn’t just lie with the family business, but the team he works with as well. Not only does he manage daily operations and construction, he also checks in with teams on a weekly basis and prioritizes employee engagement.
“In this business, it’s as much about growing a top quality product as it is about working together with a ton of great people to create something even greater,” says Justin. “My coworkers push me to be better every day.”
For general manager Isaak Guenther who has been at Greenhill for 17 years, he’s witnessed Justin become the leader he
is today. “I remember seeing him when he came home for the summer (from college), and I was always amazed by his work ethic and his passion to help his dad, Rob, grow the family business.”
“On my first day working at Greenhill Produce, Justin made me feel welcomed and valued,” says Isaac Guenther, packaging manager at Greenhill Produce. “He strives to provide the market with the best quality produce, and he provides his team of employees with the best possible workplace.”
This sentiment is echoed by multiple employees supporting the nomination, citing Justin’s hardworking and driven, yet humble nature.
In addition to their rapid expansion, recent milestones include a state-of-theart pepper packaging hall, as well as their own in-house construction team. The crew tackles all aspects from land development, drainage and excavation, to construction of the greenhouse and warehouse.
“It’s been amazing to see what can be accomplished with a team who is dedicated to see it all through,” says Justin.
“You may not hear a lot of news about what is happening at Greenhill Produce, and that is in part due to the tremendous humility of the owners,” says Dave Enns, the lead on labour planning and relations at Greenhill. “Justin’s passion for the greenhouse industry, combined with his years of experience, make him the inspiring leader he is today.”
Chris Knezetic
Justin Geertsema
PHOTO CREDIT: URBAN FIG PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO
Growing media and the circular economy
Is it possible to find a sustainable growing medium that can be renewed or recycled?
BY DR. LAILA BENKRIMA
We are facing unprecedented times. The bleak reality is that climate change is going to disrupt all the agricultural sectors globally, and Canada will be also affected.
In order to satisfy the global demand for food in 2050, the world’s production must increase by 70 per cent to be able to feed an estimated global population of 9.8 billion.1 The greenhouse industry has a role to play in reaching the 2019 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.2 Major disruptive transformations will be necessary to reach these goals. Countries must change patterns of consumption and production to stop the environmental crisis and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Fortunately, emerging around the world is a shift towards a greener circular economy that promotes the reuse, recycling and reintegration of all materials. To transition to circular agriculture, greenhouse biomass residuals need to be treated as renewable resources and be reused or recycled –and that includes growing media.
THE PARADOX OF CHOICE
There is no such thing as the perfect universal soilless mix.
All around the world, growing media are in high demand and never before have we seen so many different ones available to growers.
ABOVE Few know that Canadian peat is harvested in a sustainably responsible manner. Global perceptions of peat harvesting methods have led to the rising popularity of coconut coir (inset photo), which is perceived as being an environmentally friendly alternative.
PHOTOS: B. STYLES
Coral
Blue
Pink
Pink Cosmo
Red
Sky Blue White
Selecting a growing medium depends on many factors, including physicochemical properties, crop growth and quality, safety, availability and price. How can we choose the right kind? With so many factors to evaluate, it’s no wonder many growers are overwhelmed – and now there is more to consider: the sustainability and global impact of the growing medium.
The main organic materials used in soilless cultivation worldwide are sphagnum peat moss, coco coir, wood (pine bark, sawdust, wood chips), rice hulls and composted organic wastes. The inorganic substrates include materials both natural (sand, tuff, pumice) and processed (stone wool, perlite, vermiculite, and expanded clay and zeolite). Of those, peat and coco coir are the most widely used organic soilless media, while perlite and rockwool are the most commonly used inorganic media.
A 2012 report on the life cycle of horticultural growing media assessed the use and disposal of peat, coco pith and green compost and their impact on four parameters: climate change, resources, ecosystem quality, and human health. It was difficult to clearly identify any among the growing media as having the least or the most impact across all these four indicators.3 Peat was found to have the greatest effect on climate change and resources, but media containing coco pith showed a significant negative impact on ecosystem quality. Processing and greenhouse gas emissions from green compost had a detrimental effect on human health.
In terms of crop performance, some studies have shown that coconut coir should be used carefully and that some plants tolerate certain coir brands better than others.4 However, many growing media used alone or in combination with peat are suitable for a wide range of plant types and growing styles.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF GROWING MEDIA
Sustainable cultivation of horticultural crops improve food security and nutrition all around the world.
Many studies have now demonstrated that soilless cultivation produces higher yield per unit area and allows more efficient use of water and fertilizers. However, environmental impact is becoming a central issue in the horticulture industry as consumers are increasingly demanding growing
ABOVE
Growing media can be adapted to new plants for new markets. This Banksia blechnifolia is shown on pumice, but grows in white sand in its native Australia.
and potting media produced in a more sustainable manner.5 However, few people actually know that Canadian peat is harvested in a sustainably responsible manner and that the horticulture industry is investing in innovation and use of renewable raw materials.
The waste disposal of soilless media is still a big concern. Growing media are usually discarded in the landfill and occasionally exploited as a raw material for other purposes. The protection of the environment has become a necessary consideration for intensive agriculture, but the environmental impacts associated with growing media is a complex issue with no easy answer.
Scientific studies on environmental and economic trade-offs have shown that the impact varies according to the composition and origin of the raw material.
In Canada, peat harvesting for horticultural purposes is subject to very strict environmental regulations. Producers have established responsible harvesting practices and are working with scientists to establish large-scale methods for peatland restoration.6 Canada’s peatland is estimated at 113.6 million hectares. Of this, less than 0.03% has
been or is currently used for horticultural peat production.
As the number one peat alternative, coconut coir is being labelled as the greenest and most sustainable growing medium on the market. This view is partly due to global peat exploitation, which has built a negative reputation of contributing to environmental degradation and global warming. Coco coir is a waste product from coconut plantations. Consequently, it is perceived by many as being more environmentally friendly than peat and its use is increasing. Coir is the third most common growing media used by nurseries in horticulture after peat and mineral substrates like vermiculite, perlite, rockwool, and others. However, according a Quantis study, its processing requires significant amounts of water. In terms of impact indicators like ecosystem quality and human health, it performs less favourably than peat.4
THE WASTE HIERARCHY: REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
Globally, the generation of waste is growing to unsustainable levels and could increase by 70 per cent by 2050.7
The potential for essentially all soilless
media to be recycled multiple times, generating significant environmental and economic benefits is theoretically possible. However, acceptance of reuse by growers is very low for fear of contamination and potential yield losses. Depending on the cultivation method, reuse of the growing medium is also not feasible due to the high costs of labour and lack of quality standards. Growers are faced with big challenges when trying to reuse their soilless substrates.8
All recycled growing media need to be
sterilized in order to remove pathogens. And, if the physico-chemical properties are modified by the sterilization process, recycled growing media can be mixed partially with new substrates as a bulking agent. Creating value-added product from recycled growing media will require some trials to evaluate crop response. There is a need to investigate novel, sustainable growing media adapted from waste or engineered to be reused over multiple cycles.
Reusing peat and other soilless
media results in a clear reduction in CO2 emissions and a lower impact on the climate. For example, rockwool manufacturer Grodan facilitates new recycling solutions for growers, with best practices to recycle and dispose of used substrate. This valuable non-hazardous waste can be upcycled in several applications including in construction and in producing stone wool insulation that makes buildings more energyefficient.
ADOPTION OF NEW PRACTICES
The greenhouse industry has a huge potential for circularity. Successful, sustainable production of horticultural crops depends not only on the quality of the growing media but also on the proper management of irrigation, fertilization regimens adapted to the crop, and its production system within the environmental conditions.
It is unlikely that any single formulation exists to achieve the perfect soilless media, both performing for all crops and being environmentally sustainable. Addition of renewable materials like compost, wood fibre, rice husk and biochar can be blended with other potting mix substrates in different proportions. Recent studies have shown that biochar applications resulted in greater soil fertility, water holding capacity and increased crop yield.9 The other advantage is that it can be produced with various available feedstock from local industries and farms such as green waste, wood, straw and pine bark.
Greater focus should be placed on creating soilless media that can be easily recycled, that have their end-of-life built in, as well as markets and facilities in place to recycle all waste. Innovation will be key to improving the composition and life cycle of soilless media and to developing new recipes that can adapt them to a wider range of crops and production systems.
CIRCULARITY AND THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION: SUBSTRATES ARE NOT WASTE
Digital transformation in the horticulture sector is going to be an important enabler of our circular bioeconomy. Good practices and innovation will undoubtedly improve the sustainability of the greenhouse industry.
In a near future, advances in agricultural technology with the use of sensors, big data and artificial intelligence
will offer new opportunities to develop more circular systems to capture value from all waste biomass generated by the intensive production of greenhouse crops, rather than allowing them to become an environmental burden for future generations. The sustainable practices of refuse, reduce, and reuse must be promoted at every level to significantly decrease the production of waste and its alarming environmental impact.
Laila Benkrima, Ph.D, is Director of Program Development in Agricultural Technology at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. She can be reached at agritech@sfu.ca.
The author respectfully acknowledges that SFU is located on traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
REFERENCES
1 FAO. High Level Expert Forum—How to Feed the World in 2050; Rome, Italy, 2009.
2 The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019
3 Quantis. Report Prepared for EPAGMA January 2012.
ABOVE
Living lettuce grown hydroponically on peat plugs.
4 Holman, J. et al. (2005). https:// digitalcommons.usu.edu/cpl_hydroponics/1
5 Barrett, G. E., et al. Scientia Horticulturae 212 (2016): 220-234.
9 Agegnehu, G. et al. Applied soil ecology 119 (2017): 156-170.
The hunt for a new pink tomato
The Makari Pink tomato had a strong following in Quebec — now that it’s discontinued, businesses are looking for a replacement.
BY DOUG JOHNSON
Though the tomato was beloved in Quebec, the Makari has seen its last days. And now, the company that made the pink tomato, and the growers who supplied the province with it, are trying to fill the void.
According to Carlos Buzio, North America protected culture segment lead of strategic marketing at Bayer Crop Science, the tomato originally hit the market in 1994. De Ruiter, the company that bred the Makari Pink, stopped selling the seeds to growers and greenhouses early last year.
Though the product was popular in Quebec, demand for the Makari Pink tomato has waned in recent years, which is one of the reasons the company decided to cancel it, Buzio says. He also notes that consumer tastes change and evolve regularly, which could also contribute to the decline in popularity.
According to Claude Laniel, general manager for Les Producteurs en Serre du Québec, there were two major producers of the Makari in the
ABOVE
province – Excel Serres and Les Serres Bertrand. The latter grew around seven to eight hectares of it, then shifted most of their Makari acres towards growing cannabis. This would have markedly reduced the number of Makari tomatoes grown and caused an increase in their price which, in turn, could have caused demand to dip. Prior to its cancellation, Quebec grew around 3,000 metric tons, roughly five hectares, of the Makari, he says.
POPULARITY EXPLAINED
The Makari Pink tomato is very popular in Quebec, relative to elsewhere in the world. It’s also one of De Ruiter’s older running varieties. Its plants are quite short and have some cold weather tolerance, making it ideal for Canada, Buzio says.
According to a report by La Terre de Chez Nous, De Ruiter’s policy requires global annual sales of at least 100,000 seeds to continue offering the variety. “Quebec was the only consumer of the Makari in the world for 10 years and bought
As the Makari pink tomato quietly disappears from production in Quebec, producers are trialling alternatives to fill this gap.
PHOTO:
only 20,000 seeds per year.” De Ruiter reportedly offered to bring back the seeds three years ago, but Quebec’s producers would need to purchase 100,000 seeds each year, far surpassing their needs.
Flavour could also be a factor for the tomato’s popularity. Laniel notes that the flavour profile of the tomato is less acidic than many of its peers, which could contribute to Quebec’s appreciation of the fruit.
According to Buzio, it’s hard to pin down the flavour of any particular tomato, including the Makari Pink. What he can say is that the Makari is popular with some consumers in different parts of the world, including Quebec. “Makari has a good flavour profile for that area.”
Dominique Fortier, president of Excel Serres Ltée, a Saint-Damase, Quebecbased greenhouse producer, describes the tomato as “the sweetest one, and it has less acid — [that is] the difference between this and the red [tomatoes], and this and the other kind of pink [tomato].”
Excel Serres was one of the largest producers of the Makari pink tomato in Quebec. The company has been growing the tomato since 2013, when Fortier took over the reins of the business.
The company, which grows a wide variety of tomatoes, currently has 20,000 square metres of area to grow on. Fortier estimates that the company has produced around 70,000 kilograms of the tomato per year, for sale to wholesalers and various businesses in Montreal.
According to Fortier, the business has enough seeds to last about two more years. Previously, around 65 per cent of its area was allocated to the Makari.
SUITABLE REPLACEMENTS
De Ruiter is currently working on several new varieties of replacement pink tomatoes that are being trialed in Quebec. According to Buzio, the company hopes that these new varieties will have better flavours and growing characteristics.
One of the newest ones is known as Pink ID which has a stronger flavour and better disease resistance. The fruits are also larger. There are already trials for this one in Quebec. Another replacement pink tomato is called the Hakumaru, which has resistance to powdery mildew and yellow shoulder.
The company is also working on two pink tomato varieties with resistance against the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which has affected a lot of different greenhouse tomato varieties
ABOVE
For Excel Serres based in St. Damase, Que., the Makari Pink tomato used to account for 65 per cent of their greenhouse production area.
worldwide. The first is called Yarimaru, which is larger than the Makari by a good amount, says Buzio, and is slated for release later this year. The second has yet to be named. It will be trialed in Quebec this fall and made commercially available in 2022.
“The trick is combining all of that together with the right flavour profile to have a successful variety for specific consumer segments,” Buzio says.“We’re looking forward to seeing how growers and consumers in Quebec react to [them].”
After a few months of testing these new varieties out on the Quebec market, the company is happy with the results.
“Canadian growers with Pink ID trials have observed a more firm tomato with very good taste, better shelf life, producing larger tomatoes with higher yield compared to the Makari,” notes Martin Deslauriers from De Ruiter’s distributor, Norseco.
At Excel Serres, Fortier began trialing two of these new varieties last December: the Hakumaru and the Yarimaru. After trialing, the operation discovered some issues. While they had good flavour, the fruits were prone to falling off the plants in their greenhouse, resulting in losses. According to Fortier, the company will try other potential replacements in the future. She hopes that, whichever the replacement, it has a good mix of size,
ABOVE
De Ruiter has been working on replacements for the Makari, including one called Yarimaru pictured here.
flavour and shelf-life.
It will be interesting to see how these new varieties, or any other pink tomatoes developed, will do in the Quebec market. Laniel suspects that the shelf-life for the new varieties could be longer. But, he has also heard that many of these new pink tomatoes are less sweet than the Makari. These tomatoes might lose a bit of the market, he says, though this remains to be seen. “We don’t know how the new varieties will perform.
Doug Johnson is a freelance writer based in Montreal, Que.
Taking the pressure off young crops
Ensuring rootzone health at transplant is a critical first step to growing quality poinsettias and potted mums.
BY GRETA CHIU
Transplant is a stressful time for poinsettia and mum cuttings arriving in the summer. Not only are they adjusting to a new environment, but they’re also battling the heat, potential watering issues, and opportunistic pests and diseases.
WATER AND MOISTURE
When unrooted cuttings first arrive, the soil is only an anchor, says Guillermo Maldonado, grower advisor for Berger. Hydration of the cutting isn’t dependent on soil moisture just yet.
He recommends keeping relative humidity above 90 per cent, with enough mist to keep the cuttings hydrated but without oversaturating the soil. A medium level of moisture will allow enough oxygen and airspace for rooting to start.
“If you use excessive amounts of water, there
could be suffocation at the early stages. The plant has very little ability to overcome stress since it’s just establishing.”
He also recommends avoiding any extremes. “Drastic changes in climate, excessive amounts of water or extreme swings in dry down, will always impact them in a negative way.”
The average ratio is a half gallon (1.9 L) of fluid to one cubic foot (28 L) of mix for filling containers. After transplant, he recommends one last pass as growers start to see drips from the soil, close to saturation, before they move to the growing side. As the plants start rooting and growing, they can take higher volumes of water, followed by a slight reduction in water and fertilizer towards finishing. Sensors, weighing methods and other automated means can be used to achieve more uniform mois-
ABOVE Incoming cuttings of poinsettias and mums face a number of stressors at this time of year. Ensuring good rootzone management at this point helps set up the plants for success at finish.
ture across the crop.
“The way you manage watering frequency or irrigation will be very tightly related to the type of mix you are using,” he says. “Determine your mix first, then determine your watering schedule.”
When cultivating from unrooted cuttings, Maldonado generally advises on a light mix containing 70 to 80 per cent peat moss to allow for higher porosity. “Higher porosity mixes are more standard for northern climates for both poinsettia and mum production,” he says. “Plants grown in northern climates tend to be subjected to more dark, humid periods. The higher porosity helps ensure a good rooting environment.” In comparison, more southern and drier areas in the U.S. will want options that hold onto water for longer periods of time.
PESTS AND DISEASES
Overwatering doesn’t just impact rooting. It opens the door to pests and diseases.
“Fungus gnats and pythium are exacerbated by improper watering techniques, particularly as we move into the warmer months,” says Dr. Michael Brownbridge, biological program manager for disease control management at BioWorks Inc.
“Too much water creates ideal conditions in the upper layers of the soil for fungus gnats.” To counter this, he’s seen Ontario floriculture growers allow the top layer to dry down, creating conditions unfavourable for fungus gnat larvae, which in turn helps eliminate many of the issues associated with this pest.
Though they feed primarily on microbes in the growing media, fungus gnats may feast on young, transplanted material and attack the early rooting stages. Poinsettia cuttings can be decimated in extreme cases, but even small damages provide entry points for disease.
As he points out, diseases like pythium and fusarium are usually less severe pathogens. However, stressed plants are more susceptible to infection, and feeding wounds caused by fungus gnats and other forms of mechanical damage provide an easy route for these pathogens to enter and infect the plants. Underwatering can also lead to more fragile roots, which are prone to damage.
“It comes down to clean plant material, clean water and clean facility,” notes Brownbridge, “and creating conditions for healthy plant growth.”
As diseases are often transmitted by water, it’s important to use a clean supply and irrigation lines. “If growers are
ABOVE Fungus gnat larvae can do serious damage to poinsettia cuttings.
RIGHT A preventative treatment with beneficial microbes can lead to healthy roots. Here, a poinsettia has been treated with RootShield Plus, from early propagation when cuttings were rooted, then re-applied every six to eight weeks.
pulling from a pond, water quality is the worst in the summer because water levels have gone down [and] temperatures are raised.” It’s one of the most common sources of pythium and phytophthora.
“There are microbes that like to live inside pipes and form a biofilm. Biofilms may not be directly harmful, but they serve as hiding places for a lot of plant disease organisms,” he says.
Because adult fungus gnats can passively spread disease in a greenhouse crop, it’s important to take steps to control the larval stages. Nematodes are an ideal solution – a happy coincidence as the same nematodes are also used to control Western flower thrips on mums, says Brownbridge.
BENEFICIAL MICROBES
Biological fungicides and inoculants can be used preventatively at propagation, not only for disease prevention but to ensure better root health overall.
By colonizing the plant’s roots, these beneficial microbes help protect against pathogens, says Brownbridge. Some strains of Trichoderma promote the development of roots, particularly root hairs, which enhance access to and uptake of water and nutrients. “Trichoderma also help solubilize plant nutrients from the soils,” improving the bioavailability of these nutrients to the plant.
Most microbial biofungicides currently on the market are based on various strains of Trichoderma, Bacillus or Streptomyces. Each has its own unique characteristics, but generally, the active microorganisms are capable of bringing similar benefits to supporting healthy root development, says Brownbridge.
“Get it on while plants are rooting. Make sure it’s reapplied or present in the growing medium when the now rooted cuttings are transplanted [so] they’re there again to colonize the roots that develop.” The microbes also help plants tolerate transplant stress and better cope with environmental stresses brought on by the summer heat.
Of the Bacillus products, most include not only the Bacillus spores themselves, but the metabolites produced during their fermentation which have anti-microbial activity. “These metabolites work quickly to suppress diseases in the soil and the bacteria will slowly colonize plant roots. Trichoderma strains typically grow much faster and more effectively on the roots than Bacillus strains,” he says, based on his observations.
Gaining a better idea of how these different microbials work together may be grounds for future development. “Because there are subtle differences in what they can do [and] what they can bring to the plant, how can we capitalize on the
PHOTO:
benefits brought by both?”
Sometimes a chemical fungicide is needed, but it’s best planned beforehand. “It’s a matter of looking at the program holistically, looking at which chemistries can be used with which biological agents…. It can go a long way to alleviating issues,” he says.
It’s important to leave a section of the crop untreated for comparison. Biofungicides and biostimulants help the plant better tolerate biological and environmental stress in part because they improve the plant’s general well-being, says Brownbridge. This way, the plant can bounce back much faster when conditions are more favourable. It’s a benefit that isn’t clearly visible unless there’s a control.
The case for wood fibre
Mixes with up to 25 per cent wood fibre have been used successfully at several sites in North America for poinsettias and potted mums.
Compared to a peat-perlite mix, Berger’s studies have shown that mixes with wood fibre have less drainage but a greater ability to
PLANT NUTRITION
Nutrition is a key step to starting quality poinsettias and potted mums.
Once crops have been transplanted, growers should keep a close eye on nitrogen, particularly the percentage of nitrogen coming from nitrate versus ammonium sources.
To ensure bract quality and good leaf expansion, Maldonado says the nitrogen from ammonium sources should not exceed 30 per cent of the total nitrogen fed. It can go lower, but no higher. “After that, close to flowering, you want to switch that ratio to almost no ammonium and concentrate on nitrate, so that you end up with a nice, compact plant.”
Phosphorous is another nutrient that
hold water while still allowing for adequate airspace.
There have been concerns that wood fibre can tie up nitrogen, but the supplier’s research suggests that any effect is made negligible in mixes containing less than 30 per cent wood fibre.
can damage or diminish the quality of these crops, particularly if it’s supplied in excess. “Phosphorous will tend to make the plant stretch more than necessary and have elongation that is not ideal,” says Maldonado. While deficiency is also a concern, the most damage occurs when levels exceed 30 ppm in the mix.
From his experience, one of the main culprits of quality issues is the ratio of calcium to magnesium. Generally, the goal is to maintain a ratio of 2:1, which equates to “about 100 to 180 ppm of calcium and 25 to 50 ppm of magnesium.”
Since calcium is an immobile element within the plant, uptake into developing plant tissue depends on transpiration, which is dictated by the greenhouse climate. “If the climate isn’t active, very little calcium will reach the tip of the plant, and no matter if you add it or have it in your mix, your plant won’t be able to take it up,” says Maldonado.
For both poinsettia and potted mums, general pH targets should land between 5.8 to 6.2. During the rooting phase or shortly after rooting starts, EC should measure between 0.7 to 1.0, or 1.2 at the highest, using a saturated media extract (SME) test. During the flowering phases, EC should clock in between 1.5 to 2.5.
While it’s well-documented that plants have different nutritional needs as they mature, “what’s changing is how microbial biostimulants can change that equation,” says Brownbridge. These organisms can make the nutrients more readily available as a result of conversion through microbial activity, lowering the volume of fertilizer inputs needed.
More work is being done to understand how these new inputs promote plant health. For example, there’s evidence to suggest that an amino acid-based feed, applied by drench or foliar spray, enhances carbohydrate production in the plants and promotes uptake of key nutrients like calcium. “That means they’ve got more energy to put into things like root development and the resources they need to build healthy cell walls. That helps young plants to grow, resist infection and tolerate environmental stresses,” he says.
There’s much to take note of, but as Brownbridge emphasizes, it’s important to take a holistic view of plant production. “What does the whole plant need? It’s not just one piece at a time ….because they’re all connected.”
ABOVE Watering and water quality are critical to a healthy rootzone. Too much could create an enticing environment for fungus gnats.
GREENHOUSE WORK SHOULDN’T HURT
Working in the greenhouse? Here are four areas of focus to prevent strain and discomfort on the job.
BY KRISTIN HOFFMAN
Greenhouse work can be physically demanding. Lifting heavy trays, pushing carts, gripping tools, bending, reaching and spending long periods of time sitting or standing, can all be culprits of worker strain and discomfort. Moreover, these daily tasks can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
WHAT ARE MSDs?
MSDs are injuries of:
• muscles
• tendons
• ligaments
• bones
• nerves Symptoms of MSDs include:
• pain
• swelling
• decrease in range of motion
• tingling
• numbness
Symptoms can occur suddenly or develop gradually over time. Some examples of common MSDs include back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
MSDs develop as a result of:
• excessive force
• repetition
• awkward posture
• other hazards
HOW TO PREVENT MSDs ON
THE JOB
The good news is, you can prevent MSDs by devoting attention to four key areas: postures, movement, material handling, and stretching.
1. Check your posture
Sitting or standing for long periods can have negative effects on your body, so alternating your body posture is extremely important. Moving from sitting to standing helps enhance circulation and minimizes fatigue.
A workstation that can be adjusted to ensure proper posture is ideal; however, simple ergonomic principles can be applied to the most basic workstation set-up too.
• position forearms horizontal to the ground; elbows at approximately 90 degrees
• keep wrists straight
While standing (e.g. operating a potting machine or packaging vegetables)
• keep legs straight or one foot on a footrest intermittently
• position torso, neck and head straight (not twisted) and upright
• set shoulders in a natural position; back and down
• keep upper arms vertical alongside the torso, with elbows close to the body
• position forearms horizontal to the ground; elbows at approximately 90 degrees
• keep wrists straight
The postures noted above can apply to most activities; however, not all jobs are created equal. Postures may need to change depending on the tasks being performed by the worker and equipment being used. This is especially true when force or precision is needed.
2.Follow the 20-8-2 rule
ABOVE Check your posture
While sitting (e.g. taking cuttings or operating a planting machine)
• keep feet flat on the floor; ankles at approximately 90 degrees
• keep upper legs horizontal to the ground; knees at approximately 90 degrees
• position torso, neck and head straight (not twisted) and upright
• set shoulders in a natural position; back and down
• keep upper arms vertical alongside the torso, with elbows close to the body
Greenhouse jobs can often be repetitive; requiring you to sit and/or stand for long periods of time. Maintaining these static postures can result in body fatigue and discomfort. An easy way to combat this is to get up and moving! Use the 20-82 rule as your guide. If you sit for 20 minutes, get up and stand for 8 minutes, and move or gently stretch for 2.
If implementing the 20-8-2 rule is tricky, consider these options:
• go for a walk in a safe environment using a wireless headset while you’re on the phone
• hold walking meetings, in person or virtually
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Watch a quick video to learn more about the 20-8-2 rule.
• stand when you’re reading notes or when on the phone
• avoid eating at your workstation, which leads to more sitting
• change postures during your breaks: if you’ve been sitting, then stand up; if you’ve been standing, then take a seat; better yet, if possible go for a walk
3. Move and handle items safely
Manual material handling is fundamental to most greenhouse jobs. This is when you move or handle things by lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, etc. Eliminating the need for manual material handling is ideal for relieving strain on the worker, but not always possible. So do your best to reduce the
LEFT
When moving or handling by lifting, be sure to warm up, test the load weight and get help with awkward or heavy loads.
need. Make use of assistive devices (when and where available) and practise safe manual material handling techniques. Tips for using material handling devices (carts, hand trucks and wheelbarrows):
• keep devices in good condition
• do not overload
• load heavy objects before the lighter ones
• keep view unobstructed
• maintain a controllable speed
• avoid moving loads up and down slopes
Get more information on safe use of specific material handling devices at WSPS.ca. These include hand trucks, conveyors, powered industrial trucks and cranes.
• push rather than pull and only one load at a time Tips for safe manual material handling:
• warm up your body
• wear appropriate clothing and comfortable, safe footwear
• test the load weight
• get help with awkward or heavy loads
• ensure the load is free to move
• ensure the path is clear
• position your feet shoulder-width apart to establish a wide base of support
• grip the load securely
• tighten your abdominal muscles and tuck your chin
• bend your knees, lifting with your legs not your back
• lift smoothly
• keep the load close and centred to your body
• do not twist; move your feet to turn
• avoid carrying with only one hand
Learn more tips and tricks for preventing lifting and overexertion injuries at WSPS.ca.
4. Remember to stretch
In the greenhouse, static postures and repetitive work can cause muscles to shorten and tighten. This leads to worker discomfort and difficulty moving and working. Prevent this discomfort by stretching. As an added bonus, stretching can increase body awareness and promote relaxation.
Tips for stretching success:
• stretch often throughout the day
• warm up your body before stretching
• focus on the parts of the body that are involved in repetitive
LEFT
Repetitive work can lead to muscle tightening. Be sure to stretch throughout the day, focusing on areas involved in repetitive work or static postures.
Want to stretch but don’t know where to start? Free stretching resources are available on WSPS.ca:
CANADA
CLASSIFIEDS
Work WarmUp, Stretch and Flexibility Guide
Before Work Warm-Up
During Work Stress Releasers
At Home Flexibility Stretches
work or static postures such as the back, neck, shoulders and hands
• hold each stretch for 15 to 30 seconds and go at your own pace
• stop stretching if you feel uncomfortable, dizzy or experience any pain
• consult your doctor before starting any new physical activities, especially if you have any health-related issues
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SPOT AN MSD HAZARD AT WORK
The first step to resolving a hazard is recognizing one. Everyone at a workplace – employer, supervisor or worker – has a role and responsibility in this. Report any potential MSD hazards and symptoms to your employer so that they can be properly investigated and remedied through effective controls.
MORE MSD RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Have questions not answered here? Access free downloadable ergonomic resources and other agricultural safety information at WSPS.ca.
Kristin Hoffman is a Registered Kinesiologist, Registered Massage Therapist and Health & Safety Consultant with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS); a health and safety association responsible for over 171,000 member firms and 4.2 million workers across Ontario’s agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors. Kristin has a passion for occupational safety and agriculture. Her years of experience include hazard identification, assessment and control activities and dynamic training for businesses.
To contact a WSPS safety expert, visit http://wsps.news/contactus
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GARY JONES | Gary.Jones@kpu.ca
Enabling the next generation
In April, I joined 27 others in the latest webinar hosted by the Greenhouse Research Education & Training Institute (GREAT): Grand Challenges/ Opportunities in Controlled Environment Agriculture (‘CEA’). The objective was that “GREAT Stakeholders will lead a spirited discussion to create an inclusive list of challenges/opportunities that should be tackled in the next 5 years to radically advance Canada’s CEA Sector”.1
The session began with an overview from Drs. Lindsay Miller-Branovacki and Rupp Carriveau (both U. of Windsor) of the challenges and opportunities facing our sector. Topics such as labour, training, research/development projects/ investment, tech adoption, sustainability, costs v. margins, food security (10 per cent of Canadians are food insecure) and ‘the unexpected’! But it was noted that ironically these challenges also provide abundant opportunities for improvement, such as developing greenhouse crop flavour and nutrient density, reducing energy/waste/water inputs, reducing costs, increased automation, and developing training programs. A live participant poll highlighted that labour, automation, and energy are perceived as the top three issues.
There then followed a panel discussion with representatives from research, grower associations and large-scale greenhouse producers. On a positive note, growers suggested that there are huge opportunities for automation in our sector, and with government support to incentivize ‘green’ energy, there could be ways to increase energy efficiency through local ‘micro-grids’ sharing power between neighbouring facilities. Growers reiterated that securing enough quality labour is indeed a huge issue, but that’s no surprise. In conversation afterwards, Peter Quiring (president and CEO, South Essex Fabricating Inc. and Nature Fresh Farms Inc.) tells me that “I believe in hard work. It doesn’t matter where [labour] comes from or who they are, as long as they have a good work ethic and the desire to learn and excel in their work, then we give them an opportunity to become a part of our team.” Employers like Peter are indeed creating GREAT and endless opportunities for young people to enter and excel in our industry.
...securing enough quality labour is indeed a huge issue...
Like many professional organizations, the (UK) Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH), requires members to annually complete a minimum amount of continuing professional development (CPD) hours. In the latest edition of their journal The Horticulturist, Dr. David Elphinstone presents the new framework which CIH is developing “to show clear vocational and professional pathways for horticulturists to acquire relevant skills and knowledge to develop the industry and themselves”.2 This framework is based on that developed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and identifies three main areas of activities (Thinking, Influencing, and Performing) which embrace eight core competencies. Among others, these ‘competencies’ include problem solving, leadership, communication, horticulture systems, and technology management. While many university courses already embed ‘employability skills’ in their learning outcomes, we (Canada) must be more intentional about elementary and secondary students’ having a deep understanding of fundamental math principles and communication skills in order to be successful further up the education ladder and then in industry. Undoubtedly, the Canadian education system does many things right, and the pandemic has highlighted just how hard our teachers work for the benefit of students. Perhaps re-focusing on educational basics (math, English/ communication, problem solving, critical thinking), and applying competency skills (such as the eight of the CIH/EIT) specifically to our sector at the post-secondary level, may better prepare graduates to seize the opportunities in our very diverse and rewarding workplace. It may also help address some of the crucial labour issues our industry has repeatedly identified as the number one challenge.
1 https://www.environmentalenergyinstitute.com/great-institute 2 Elphinstone D., (2021) ‘Continuing Professional Development’ The Horticulturist, vol. 30 (1) p. 24-26.
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.
