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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

00:00 From Tractors to Greenhouses

06:10 Passion for Food and Cannabis

09:53 Adapting and Improvising in Greenhouses

13:29 Striving for Excellence, Not Perfection

16:55 Mindful Data Collection Matters

18:34 Clear Communication in Agriculture

22:29 Consultants vs. Plant Scientists

25:59 Keep It Simple, Trust Manual Data

29:53 Plant Growth and Weather Forecast

31:18 Plant Care's Changing Triangle

33:43 Emphasizing Education in Horticulture

39:04 Training and Growth Process

40:32 Canada's Foreign Worker Program

46:13 Greenhouse Cable Breakdown Fix

49:15 Leadership in the Greenhouse

50:11 Family Distance and Stress Management

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