Greenhouse Success Stories brings you weekly conversations with the growers, operators and innovators running commercial greenhouses around the world: which crops pay, how they manage energy, climate control and labor, what they'd do differently, and how they financed growth. Firsthand accounts from farms that are working, not theory. Hosted by Trina Semenchuk, founder of The Little Greenhouse That Could. Part of the iGrowNews podcast network.
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What shook up the world of precision agriculture in 2025? In this exclusive deep dive, Harry Duran sits down with Sepehr Achard, fellow co-founder of iGrow News, to explore the striking trends and surprising signals from the just-released 2025 Precision Ag Intelligence Report. From the surging impact of AI on product development—and the sudden vulnerability of software-only companies—to unexpected M&A moves like food giants buying robotics startups and why a drop in patent filings could predict a seismic shift, this episode connects the industry’s hidden dots.
Discover why $600 million in funding might no longer guarantee success, the mysterious surge of patents out of China (but almost none granted), and which countries are quietly emerging as ag innovation hubs. The guests grapple with the future of metrics like "compute cost per acre," the looming prospect of AI-taxation, and whether distribution—rather than technology—could become the true differentiator.
And in a world rocked by global tensions, could fertilizer shocks and input price spikes trigger the next wave of ag innovation—or stall it in its tracks? Don't miss this detailed yet fast-paced conversation pulling back the curtain on where precision ag is heading next.
Ready for the data points no newswire is covering? Press play.
5 Key Takeaways
In a rapidly evolving AgTech landscape, strategic awareness and rapid adaptation are critical for survival and growth. Take charge of your future with these decisive actions:
Monitor patent activity and social signals of key industry players to anticipate strategic moves and market shifts.
Diversify beyond pure software solutions—build or partner for hardware, own unique data, and prioritize distribution networks for defensible growth.
Prepare for increased M&A activity by strengthening your customer base, technology differentiation, and profitability to become acquisition-ready.
Rethink KPIs for the AI era by tracking new metrics like compute cost per acre and token usage to measure operational efficiency.
Keep a pulse on global events, such as geopolitical conflict and supply chain volatility, to anticipate their cascading impact on AgTech investments and strategic decisions.
Act now—evaluate your business model, data, and partnerships with these insights to stay ahead in precision agriculture.
Memorable Quotes"It's not a differentiator anymore to have fancy technology or AI you can create; the real differentiators are controlling the data, owning the hardware, and—most importantly—having the distribution.""The cost of developing new products is dramatically decreasing, but the cost of introducing these products to market is increasing; developing technology alone doesn't mean much anymore because it can be replicated quickly and cheaply.""China has a patent creation engine driven by universities, but once you look at actual granted patents and real technology, there are overlooked hubs like Korea, Japan, India, Israel, the Netherlands, and the U.S. producing innovations that are truly patentable and impactful."Resources Mentioned
“I think it is a little bit of a blind spot for us with respect to supply chains... the seed genetics being a key bottleneck or point of risk in Canada,” says Darby McGrath, Vice President of Research and Development at the Vineland Horticulture Research and Innovation Center, in this compelling episode of Greenhouse Success Stories. With an insider’s perspective on the future of Canadian food security, Darby McGrath exposes how the nation’s greenhouse sector is largely dependent on imported seed genetics not tailored to local climates, leaving growers vulnerable and highlighting a critical gap in innovation.
Tune in to learn why Canada risks losing control of its food supply without urgent investment in homegrown seed breeding, how Vineland works with both domestic and international partners to advance R&D, and what it really takes to bring resilient, high-yield crops to market. Whether you’re fascinated by genetics, the business of agriculture, or the future of food production, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
Key Takeaways
Don’t leave seed genetics to chance—demand Canadian-adapted crops and support initiatives building local breeding capacity now.
Memorable QuotesConnect with DarbyResources MentionedConnect With Us
11: Why Prioritizing Quality Materials Holds the Key to Long-Term Greenhouse Success with Harnois
“I'm doing something that helps people. So that's really rewarding—being a younger person in the industry, I get to help people, and I get to help people help other people,” says Christopher McIntosh, technical sales rep at Harnois Greenhouses, in this edition of Greenhouse Success Stories. From bridging French and Western Canadian cultures to orchestrating complex greenhouse installations in some of the country’s most remote communities, Christopher McIntosh reveals how Harnois’s relentless focus on quality, local materials, and community networking transforms both food sovereignty projects and commercial operations alike.
Discover how a blend of business savvy, family legacy, and youthful energy is shaping the next chapter of greenhouse innovation—listen in to find out why growers of all sizes turn to Harnois for top-tier structures, support, and connections.
Key Takeaways
Quality is everything—choose partners who source local, high-grade materials for lasting results in your greenhouse project.
Don’t navigate alone. Connect with experienced growers and suppliers through industry networks to gain hands-on solutions and best practices.
Memorable QuotesConnect with Chris & HarnoisConnect With Us
10: Why Embracing Family Legacy Holds the Key to Greenhouse Success and Longevity with Tom Van Wingerden
“You know what I'm really pushing for is actually a plant graveyard, because I feel like it'd be nice to know how many plants I've killed over time, and I feel like that's a little bit of fun, too,” says Tom Van Wingerden, sales director at Van Wingerden Greenhouses, who joins Greenhouse Success Stories to share a refreshingly candid—and often humorous—look at the realities of running a multi-generational greenhouse operation in the Pacific Northwest.
From childhood “oasis plug fights” among eleven siblings to the challenges of losing major retail accounts and the necessity-driven innovation behind their custom fundraising software, Tom Van Wingerden reveals how loving plants (and people) is at the heart of greenhouse success. Tune in for actionable business insights, real-world stories, and the evolving blend of tradition and technology that helps this family farm thrive.
Key Takeaways
Diversify your customer base—don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Proactively seek new wholesale and retail partners to safeguard your greenhouse’s future.
Memorable QuotesConnect with Tom and WingerdenResources MentionedConnect With Us
9: Why High-Quality Supplier Partnerships Hold the Key to Fresh, Reliable Salads
“You can't run a business if you have to refund people for bad cucumbers,” says John Karwacki, founder of Inspired Go, who appears on Greenhouse Success Stories to reveal how fresh produce supply chains are truly the backbone of any food delivery operation—and why relentless focus on quality has driven Inspired Go’s explosive growth across North America.
From launching with office deliveries to pivoting during COVID and forging a deep partnership with Dominick DiMucci at Haven Greens, John Karwacki pulls back the curtain on the logistics and data that keep your salad fresh on day five, while Dominick DiMucci shares the real story behind controlled environment agriculture’s glossy image and the hard work it takes to build consistency customers crave. If you think greenhouse-to-buyer partnerships are simple or automated growing is a breeze, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew—and show what it really takes to deliver perfection from greenhouse to doorstep.
Key Takeaways
Don’t build a greenhouse and then search for a market—start relationships with buyers before you ever break ground.
Memorable QuotesConnect with Dominick & Haven GreensConnect with Jon & Inspired GoConnect With Us
8: Why Year-Round Growing Holds the Key to Sustainable Farm Income With the Help of Harnois Greenhouses
“One of the things that we grow year round is actually celery. So I think we're going into the third or fourth year of growing celery nonstop year round. So a lot of people, you know, we kind of become known as the, you know, celery people at market,” says Andrew Phelps, co-owner of Phelps Farm in Guttenberg, Iowa, and this week’s featured grower on Greenhouse Success Stories.
After a career pivot from IT, Andrew Phelps and his wife Amy transformed her family’s farmland into a thriving, small-scale year-round vegetable operation—earning a reputation for consistency, niche innovation, and direct-to-consumer success. From overcoming devastating storms and infrastructure challenges to pioneering unique offerings like customizable CSA boxes and introducing farm-fresh beef, eggs, and honey, Andrew Phelps shares how strategic grants, tech tools, and a hands-on approach turned adversity into opportunity. Discover how this farmer’s market staple is setting a new standard for small growers aiming for year-round production and direct sales.
Key Takeaways
You want to build a thriving year-round farm business—take these actions to accelerate your greenhouse journey:
Memorable QuotesConnect with Phelps FarmResources MentionedConnect With Us
7: The Importance of Customer-Centric Thinking in Growing a Successful Plant Business
“My goal is not to be the biggest. My goal is to be the best houseplant vendor here, especially here on the west coast in the North Pacific Northwest,” says Andrej Suske, owner of Cascade Tropicals, who joins Greenhouse Success Stories to share how relentless focus on quality, efficient systems, and deep-rooted passion for plants fuels his thriving business. From selling cut flowers on Berlin street corners at age ten to leading a cutting-edge, lean-driven greenhouse operation, Andrej Suske reveals a journey filled with hard-won lessons, innovations in forecasting and logistics, and insights on surviving both booms and market contractions. For anyone curious about what it really takes to build a standout horticulture business—and why a sense of ownership and love for growing are the keys to long-term success—this episode is not to be missed.
Key Takeaways
Know your customer and forecast demand relentlessly—success hinges on meeting needs at the right time with the right product.
Prioritize lean principles—train your team to eliminate waste and boost efficiency, so every hour and every square foot counts.
Memorable QuotesConnect with AndreConnect With Us
6: How Jake Holley Discovered the Secrets of Spinach Germination for Reliable Crop Success
“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.
Key Takeaways
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.
Memorable QuotesConnect with JakeConnect with CSU College of AgricultureConnect With Us
5: Why Growing Year-Round in Manitoba Holds the Key to Local Food Security with Cormac Foster
“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.
5 Key Takeaways
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.
Memorable QuotesConnect with CormacConnect with Vermillion GrowersConnect With Us
4: Why Year-Round Strawberry Production Equals Sustainable Local Food Systems with Vertiberry's Olivier Paulus
“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.
5 Key TakeawaysMemorable QuotesConnect with Olivier + VertiberryConnect With Us
Break research silos—reach out, collaborate, and leverage networks like Vineland to accelerate real-world horticulture solutions.
Take control of your supply chain—identify vulnerabilities and advocate for investment in domestic R&D and greenhouse innovation.
Harness new tech—explore advanced solutions like pathogen labs and digital tools to future-proof your greenhouse operation.
Act on knowledge gaps—access Vineland or similar organizations for support, and bring your unique challenges forward to drive sector-wide progress.
"Breeding doesn’t operate on funding cycles, and the way that we invest into these things is through competitive granting, and that doesn’t work because breeding extends beyond those funding cycles that are connected to policy frameworks."
"If we want to invest in breeding, it can’t be based on competitive funding alone. Not that I’m saying that doesn’t have its place for encouraging innovation and developing new tools, but it’s got to be a strategic decision that we say, no, this is worth it and we’re going to invest in it and here’s why."
"I think our job is to support the sector, identify where there are market gaps, and develop new practices, processes, and products for horticulture in Ontario."
When planning your greenhouse, hash out crop types, design needs, and future flexibility early—customize your structure to grow with your vision.
Leverage your equipment provider’s expertise and resources; ask about turnkey solutions, in-house engineering, and connections for ongoing support.
Take the first step now: reach out, ask questions, and get advice from your greenhouse manufacturer—they’re ready and willing to walk the journey with you.
Quality is everything—choose partners who source local, high-grade materials for lasting results in your greenhouse project.
Don’t navigate alone. Connect with experienced growers and suppliers through industry networks to gain hands-on solutions and best practices.
When planning your greenhouse, hash out crop types, design needs, and future flexibility early—customize your structure to grow with your vision.
Leverage your equipment provider’s expertise and resources; ask about turnkey solutions, in-house engineering, and connections for ongoing support.
Take the first step now: reach out, ask questions, and get advice from your greenhouse manufacturer—they’re ready and willing to walk the journey with you.
Streamline your operations with tech—build or adopt software tools like Plant Buy to simplify fundraiser management and scale effortlessly.
Leverage fundraisers for growth—collaborate with local organizations to attract new customers, expand reach, and strengthen community ties.
Focus on what works—hone in on a select range of products and customers so you can control quality and master your market.
Connect with people—relationships drive success. Invest in trust, nurture partnerships, and make every interaction count.
"I think it has to start with a love for plants. I don't think anybody gets into this industry because they want to make money. It's more about loving to grow plants and loving to be around plants, and if they make money doing that, that's the lifestyle we're looking for."
"We're trying to help people be successful with their plants at home, no matter what plant it is. You can buy a monstera and bring it home, and we'll help you take care of it—you’re not in this alone."
"You really need to love both plants and people to be in this industry. Plants and people—you need to love them both to succeed."
Let quality drive your decisions. Obsess over your product, and put the plant’s needs first every single day.
Invest in the right people upfront—team strength and early collaboration fuel lasting success.
Make your operations customer-focused. Gather direct feedback, track retention, and adapt your offerings to what people actually crave.
Approach technology as a servant to the plant—not the master. Use automation and innovation only when it strengthens output and flavor.
"Our job is to provide the plant what it needs to succeed and thrive, not try to force it down a different path for our own reasons. At the end of the day, the plant comes first."
"I think it’s important that we’re transparent about the industry. Controlled environment agriculture is often wrapped up in a nice bow, but it’s a lot of work and difficult to execute on a daily basis. Despite things being controlled and sterile, it’s not hard to unsuccessfully operate a greenhouse."
"Investing in the team early is something that, at least for Haven Greens, I think has led to us having so much velocity in year one. People are the drivers for your business, and putting the right people in the right places early really sets you up for success."
Start where you are—launch your farmers market booth or CSA with whatever you can grow now, and build from there. Progress and consistency beat waiting for perfect conditions.
Invest in robust infrastructure. Upgrade to stronger, automated high tunnels or greenhouses before extreme weather forces your hand—your crops and sanity will thank you.
Apply for grants and cost-share programs early and often. Tap into resources like USDA EQUIP to slash upfront costs and fuel your reinvestment cycle.
Prioritize education and mentorship relentlessly. Attend conferences, connect with extension specialists, and enroll in proven master classes—knowledge and support are your biggest growth multipliers.
Build a direct-to-customer sales strategy: Embrace CSAs, markets, and farm stores to control your margins, build your brand, and stay nimble as you scale.
"We invest quite heavily in education and learning new things. If you’re a new greenhouse grower, figure out your local resources—whether that’s a university extension, conferences, or online master classes. Having someone in your toolbox who can help with problems is a huge asset."
"One of the things that we grow year round is celery. I think we're going into the third or fourth year of growing celery nonstop. A lot of people, we kind of become known as the celery people at market—we've always got it."
"So we have two children, they're five and six, and we bring them to the farm with us. They're learning how to grow, seed start, and transplant vegetables. Teaching them that you can grow food is probably our proudest moment as growers and as parents."
Obsess over top quality—if your plants aren’t best-in-class, level up or step out; average isn’t good enough.
Embrace mistakes as growth—screw up, learn fast, and adapt, but never repeat errors. Progress comes from curiosity and self-ownership.
Make ordering and fulfillment seamless—streamline your system until retailers think of you first, every single week.
"My goal is not to be the biggest. My goal is to be the best houseplant vendor here, especially on the west coast in the North Pacific Northwest. When a store needs houseplants, the first thing I want them to think of is, 'I place an order with Cascade, and I have it by Friday before the weekend.'"
"I found out when I was a kid that I love growing plants and I love looking at plants. If I can do what I like doing, then I'm already having a big piece of being successful."
"Screwing up is something that needs to happen—if we do a lot of work, we’ll also mess up a lot. We shouldn’t be making the same mistake over and over, but otherwise it’s okay to fail, learn, and get better."
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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 exudates become toxic to itself."
"My job is to advance and support urban agriculture, not just within Denver, but nation and worldwide. In that effort, my job really has three somewhat distinct categories: facility management, supporting academic research, and conducting trials to advance knowledge of hydroponic systems and controlled environment agriculture."
"I think providing stuff that growers can actually use and saves time and energy has been really cool for me—to see actual impacts and not just research that ends up tucked away in a journal."
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.
Prioritize humidity and climate control—extreme weather demands experimental thinking and robust systems. Test new solutions, monitor closely, and adapt rapidly.
Advocate for your industry—push for updated regulations, utility classes, and incentive programs that support greenhouse agriculture. Take the lead in driving policy changes.
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.
"And people often look at Manitoba as a place that’s too cold, like there’s no way you can grow year-round here. 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."
"My work really was focused on the design and then actually trying to see how can we get this design permitted and approved for use in Manitoba. How do we bring this technology that’s approved maybe in Europe or in other jurisdictions in North America here, and how did this work in our area?"
"Our official mission at Vermillion Growers is to grow high quality produce, healthy people, and sustainable communities. There’s a lot to unpack there, but that’s our mission as a company—we really do have big vision and big goals."
Every greenhouse breakthrough starts with bold action—here’s what to do next:
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.
Forget shortcuts. Quality crops always come first—focus relentlessly on plant health and let technology and profit strategies follow afterwards.
Scaling takes grit and real relationships. Reach out to industry leaders, invite feedback, and collaborate—connection and transparency accelerate your progress.
The market loves reliability. Build systems for consistent, repeatable results—use quick trials, learn from mistakes, and measure success by customer satisfaction.
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.
"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, you're in trouble."
"The most important advice is really work on that lean and mean mindset. Pull that mindset into becoming a good grower or finding a good grower. Do not lie to yourself—the plants will tell the truth. You cannot hack it. Make sure you get a good crop, whether it's lettuce, herb, or strawberry. Start with that."
"We've been doing this for eight years and I still feel there is so much to learn, so much to improve on so many fronts. That's the challenging but also the motivating part."
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