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.
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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!
Key Takeaways
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
Memorable Quotes“I always say, besides growing the crops, I like to grow people. I think I did well with my team—they’re now thriving here in Canada, in Europe, and the US. That’s what I keep from my time with cannabis: not only the plants, but the good connections and the growth of people.”“When you train someone, you need to show them the whys. It’s not just about checking a box or putting a number on a piece of paper. If you understand why each step matters, you catch problems before they happen and build a stronger team.”“In a greenhouse, the moment you get comfortable, something happens to shake things up. You need to train people to adapt, improvise, and always keep moving. Nothing stops—everything needs to continue, and that’s what makes this work so engaging.”Connect With Luis-Gabriel
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.
2: Why Mentoring Your Team Holds the Key to Sustainable Greenhouse Success with Laura Martin
“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.
5 Key Takeaways
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.
Memorable QuotesResources MentionedConnect With Us
3: What $7 Million in Unexpected Tariffs Taught Richard Lee About Resilience in Agriculture
“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.
5 Key Takeaways
Collaboration makes solutions possible—reach out to local municipalities, associations, and stakeholders to advocate for greenhouse-friendly policies before you build or expand.
Memorable QuotesConnect with RichardConnect with Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable GrowersConnect 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
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
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.
Collaborate with local communities and institutions—reach out to First Nations, universities, and trade schools to create a robust pipeline of future growers.
Diversify your approach to labor shortages—leverage grant funding, automation, and creative partnerships to keep operations running strong even in remote areas.
Advocate for hands-on learning—push universities and training programs to focus on real-world greenhouse experience and not just theory.
"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."
"I would like to make this nursery into a learning center. I hope to intrigue people to come out, learn here, and become growers so they can go out into the industry with the skills they need."
"My advice is to always mentor somebody to be your person. Have someone you're training to be the next in line, so you can start taking a holiday and eventually leave things running well."
Waste is opportunity in disguise. Audit your greenhouse packaging and waste streams, and connect with innovative recyclers to pioneer sustainable, circular solutions.
Fight for unified, fair regulations. Lend your voice to push for harmonized recycling, infrastructure, and trade policies that empower—not restrict—growers.
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.
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.
"You can't suck and blow at the same time. We're talking about keeping our elbows up by Canadian support, and then you have these draconian policies being implemented at all levels of government. Don't get me wrong, it's not just municipalities that aim to contradict any future investment in greenhouse."
"We need to be proactive, not reactive. We keep playing this game of whack-a-mole—something pops up, we whack it, we're just chasing issues. We know what the growth trajectory is, we know what we need to do to support that trajectory. The question now becomes, do you want to support it? That's at the municipal, provincial, and federal level."
"Controlled environment agriculture, greenhouse is the future of agriculture and is where we need to continue to put our resources. The future is going to be bright, but we need to be proactive to support it."
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."
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."
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