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“What that means is that when you grow successive spinach cycles, the root exudates are being released into the water that build up to a point where spinach's own root exodus become toxic to itself,” explains Jake Holley, manager of the Metro Ag Research Center in Denver and pioneering researcher in controlled environment agriculture.

On this episode of Greenhouse Success Stories, Jake brings rare insight into the world of hydroponics—from tackling spinach’s infamous autotoxicity to advancing water quality monitoring with cutting-edge ORP probes. Drawing from 15 years of hands-on experience across academia and industry, Jake reveals how product validation, public education, and innovative trials at Metro Ag are lighting the way for growers worldwide. Discover why this researcher’s practical wisdom and drive to make science accessible have him shaping the future of urban agriculture, one experiment at a time.

1. Grow your confidence—and your crops—by testing new products risk-free in R&D settings before you invest. Seek third-party validation for solutions and experiment boldly.
2. Build hands-on experience with hydroponics at any scale. Try growing lettuce or spinach at home—simple setups and DIY methods can feed your household year-round.
3. Collaborate and connect with local and global growers, educators, and innovators. Share your knowledge, tour facilities, and help raise awareness about CEA in your community.
4. Tackle tough crops head-on. Use strategic variety selection, light management, and germination techniques, like vernalization, to overcome the frustrations of growing spinach and other challenging plants.
5. Monitor and optimize your systems relentlessly. Integrate affordable new tech, like ORP probes, to predict issues and automate water quality management—stay ahead to boost yields and save time.

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“People often look at Manitoba as a place that they say it's too cold...there's no way you can grow year round in Manitoba...It's freezing, which is a fair point. And a lot of people think that, but that actually isn't true, and we've proven that now,” says Cormac Foster, VP of Engineering and Development at Vermillion Growers, who joins Greenhouse Success Stories to share how his team shattered the myth that year-round, large-scale greenhouse farming in one of Canada’s harshest climates is impossible.

From navigating daunting permitting obstacles and innovating solutions for extreme humidity and temperature swings, to pioneering new utility models and helping carve a path for future greenhouse engineers, Cormac Foster details the journey of building Manitoba’s first commercial vegetable greenhouse. Behind the fresh tomatoes now appearing in local stores lies a story of technical ingenuity, global collaboration, and a bold vision to turn the province into an ag-tech powerhouse. Want to know how they made it happen—and what’s next? Don’t miss this episode.

1. Challenge the “it’s too cold” myth—innovative greenhouses can thrive year-round even in extreme climates like Manitoba. Start exploring what’s possible in your region.
2. Build your dream team—seek out the best global experts, consultants, and growers to turn your greenhouse vision into reality. Don’t settle, connect and collaborate widely.
3. Prioritize humidity and climate control—extreme weather demands experimental thinking and robust systems. Test new solutions, monitor closely, and adapt rapidly.
4. Advocate for your industry—push for updated regulations, utility classes, and incentive programs that support greenhouse agriculture. Take the lead in driving policy changes.
5. Own your learning journey—expand your skills in biosystems engineering, project management, and communication to unlock new opportunities in controlled environment agriculture. Invest in yourself and share your expertise.

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“You cannot afford to make a mistake. It needs to be perfect the entire time because your whole yield figures, your business plan, your financing is based on this full production. So if halfway it fails and you have to restart, well, you’re in trouble,” says Olivier Paulus, owner and founder of Verteberry, who shares his journey transforming from engineer to strawberry innovator on Greenhouse Success Stories.

After pioneering one of Belgium’s earliest vertical farms and transitioning to Quebec, Olivier Paulus reveals the complexities of year-round berry production, the pivotal role of plant quality, and the razor-thin margin for error that defines modern greenhouse entrepreneurship. His hands-on, “biology first” approach, strategic partnerships, and candid insights into the challenges of R&D, scaling, and commercial viability make for an episode packed with actionable wisdom for anyone eyeing success in controlled-environment agriculture. Curious about the future of strawberries in snow and why lean, honest growing sets the foundation for breakthrough results? Don’t miss this episode.

Every greenhouse breakthrough starts with bold action—here’s what to do next:

1. You don’t need a farming background to succeed. Dive into research, ask questions, and let curiosity fuel your first grow—starting small is better than not starting at all.
2. Forget shortcuts. Quality crops always come first—focus relentlessly on plant health and let technology and profit strategies follow afterwards.
3. Scaling takes grit and real relationships. Reach out to industry leaders, invite feedback, and collaborate—connection and transparency accelerate your progress.
4. The market loves reliability. Build systems for consistent, repeatable results—use quick trials, learn from mistakes, and measure success by customer satisfaction.
5. Stay lean and honest. Get your hands dirty, keep costs tight, and regularly check your work—your plants will always tell you the truth, so listen and adapt.