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Cover-worthy captures: Greenhouse photo contest

The Greenhouse Canada team had its work cut out for them when it came to finding the perfect image for our January 2025 cover.

We received more than 20 breathtaking images of the Canadian greenhouse sector from across the country. Respondents have not only proven their talent with the camera, but also in reflecting on what this industry means to them and how they tried to convey that through imagery.

1. Submitted by Joanne Gervais from the University of Guelph.

Deciding on a winner was no easy task and was subject of much heated debated but we ultimately determined that the image supplied to us by Nilton Brotto, operations manager at Brookdale Treeland Nurseries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, would be our first cover of 2025.

2. Submitted by Sarah Borden of Terra Greenhouses in Hamilton, Ontario.

Brookdale is a long-established grower specializing in perennials and Christmas adornments, grown across approximately 40,000 sq. ft. of production space. In the image, workers from Loesen Inc. are installing 6-mm Poly over one of Brookdale’s greenhouses.

“There was a slight breeze happening in the end of the day that cause the poly to raise while the first layer was being installed,” Brotta said to explain why he captured this moment. “No issues occurred and the poly was installed successfully.”

The movement of the poly in the picture, and the workers’ efforts to keep the project from literally blowing away beautifully illustrates the eternal struggle of this sector in battling the elements largely out of their control. Additionally, the panel who selected this image felt it showcased one of those necessary, physically demanding and not-very-glamourous aspects of the business but how even in that mundanity there is greater purpose and beauty.

Here’s a look at some more entries from this year’s contest. Enjoy!

1. Submitted by Joanne Gervais from the University of Guelph. Here’s what she had to say about her entry: “What does being a part of the Canadian greenhouse industry mean to me? It means teaching the next generation of growers, crop scouts, sales reps and specialists to prepare them for an exciting career in one of the most dynamic industries. In the photo, students in the Associate Diploma in Horticulture program at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus are getting hands on experience in the campus greenhouse facility learning about biological control and integrated pest management practices.”
2. Submitted by Sarah Borden of Terra Greenhouses in Hamilton, Ontario. She shares that this shot is of a “Dahlia ‘Starsister’ Red+White in week 17. My favourite flower from all of 2024.”
3. Submitted by Dimitri Karakostas of St. George, New Brunswick. This image was hotly debated amongst our panel due to how unique it is amongst the entries we received. Karakostas describes the image as the “night view of stocking greenhouses.”
4. This image was also submitted to us by Dimitri Karakostas and it shows tomatoes being clipped in a greenhouse.
5. Submitted by Sonia Klinger of Del Fresco Pure in Kingsville, Ontario. We ALWAYS love bug photos and this was captured masterfully. Here’s what Klinger had to say about her image: “One of our greenhouse heroines, the ladybug, keeping our sweet bell peppers safe from the ‘bad bugs’.
6. Submitted by Sylvia Nonkes of Spring Breezes Greenhouse in Brussels, Ontario. Taken in May 2024, Nonkes says “my little grand neice came and saw this little watering can and decided she needed to water some plants.”
7. Submitted by Stewart Cameron of Bayview Flowers in Jordan Station, Ontario. It shows a crop of healthy succulents at one of the grower’s facilities in Ontario.
8. Submitted by Alison Lindeboom from Dunnville, Ontario. Lindeboom writes: “This photo displays the last stop of the flower before its departure from the wholesaler. This machine standardizes the flowers, making them ready for packaging and shipping. This photo displays the day-to-day use of the machinery.”
9. Submitted by Colleen Schenck of Schenck Farms in St. Catharines, Ontario. She writes of the shot: “Christmas at Schenck Farms! Featuring our beautiful 6” Red Poinsettias.”
10. Submitted by Henry Vangamere of Vineland Station. He says he captured “a beautiful August day visiting Ridge Farms in Leamington.”

Greenhouse Canada would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit a photo for this year’s cover photo contest. We love seeing the industry from your point of view!

Check out some of the top images from last year’s Greenhouse Canada cover photo contest here.

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