Grower Profiles

Horticulture Facing Many New Challenges

Veteran Ontario cucumber grower Jan VanderHout is up for any challenge in the greenhouse or farm association boardroom.

Major produce industry award to veteran grower

June 13, 2017, Chicago, IL – Thousands of produce industry executives are arriving in Chicago this week to attend the United Fresh Produce Association’s Annual FreshMKT & FreshTEC Expos and Convention (June 13-15).

Leadership By Volunteers In FCO Spotlight

FCO vice-chair Jan Van Zanten and Gina Marchionda

March April 2017 – A pair of longtime industry volunteers have been honoured by Flowers Canada Ontario during presentations at this year’s AGM.

FCO’s 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

John Valk is congratulated by Rob Bierhuizen.

Jan. 19, 2017, Jordan, Ont. – John Valk has added another accolade to his already highly distinguished career in greenhouse horticulture.

FCO’s 2017 award for ‘Outstanding Contribution’

FCO vice-chair Jan Van Zanten presents Gina Marchionda with this year's Outstanding Contribution award.

Jan. 18, 2017, Jordan, Ont. – A long-time volunteer has received this year’s Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award from Flowers Canada Ontario.

Top 10 Under 40 award winners share a passion for plants

November 2016 – They’re greenhouse vegetable growers, flower growers, specialty crop specialists or plant retailers, and they’re this year’s Top 10 Under 40 award winners. While they may have different crops or businesses, they all share the same passion for plants.

Meet Ontario's Outstanding Young Farmers

Sept. 21, 2016, Stratford, Ont. – Adrian and Jodi Roelands of Roelands Plant Farms Inc. have been selected as Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2016.

FCG pays tribute to industry leaders

Emmy and Leo Reus with Leo’s FCO Lifetime Achievement Award.

October 2016 – This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner of Flowers Canada Growers was a pioneer in North America in growing one of the most popular houseplants.

All In The Family With Praill’s Greenhouse

The Praill family of Sarnia has particularly deep roots in the flower industry.

Celebrating 96 Years of Success

Among managers are, from left to right, front row: Sharon Wallish Murphy, Nellie Wallish and Charlie Wallish; at back, Glen Wallish, Louise Wallish and Dan Murphy.

I hadn’t talked with Charlie Wallish for some time, so when I saw an advertisement in the Edmonton Journal earlier this spring noting the company was celebrating 96 years in business, I jumped on the opportunity to meet again with him and his family.

Clear Skies for Rainbow Greenhouses

Stan Vander Waal takes a closer look at some plants.

There is a future in flowers.

Industry Innovator Earns FCO’s Achievement Award

Robert Bierhuizen checks bench pot loading unit

In an industry know for commitment to life-long learning, Robert Bierhuizen has always been an eager student.

Hall of Famer

AARD Minister Verlyn Olson (at left), with Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza and his wife Aneesa

Nov. 28, 2014, Edmonton — Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza, a longtime greenhouse researcher and resource for Alberta greenhouse growers, has been inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Editorial: November 2014 - Leadership succession

One of the key issues in agriculture is succession planning. It’s usually a topic of discussion wherever growers meet. And the standard take-away advice is that you can never start too soon on the transition. Succession planning and successful planning are interchangeable terms.

Thirty-five years of growing

Dr. Theo Blom and Wayne Brown have been involved since its inception.

From lecture halls and hockey rinks on a university campus, to a state-of-the-art convention centre adjacent to one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, the Canadian Greenhouse Conference has certainly come a long way over the past 35 years.