A New Dawn in Greenhouse Horticulture

Fruit & Vegetable Growers Are Adapting To Changing Conditions, Discover How They Are Leveraging Greenhouses

Welcome To Our Inaugural Newsletter

Hello there 👋 

For those who do not know me, my name is Corenthin.

I am a passionate agronomist with over a decade of global expertise in the greenhouse industry. I am thrilled to announce the launch of my newsletter in collaboration with iGrow News.

This newsletter aims to explore the latest horticultural practices, tackle challenges facing the greenhouse industry, and spotlight innovative projects and research shaping the sector today and tomorrow.

We aim to provide insightful content that informs and inspires growers, professionals, and enthusiasts about the ever-evolving greenhouse landscape.

STATE OF THE MARKET
Horticulture Trends and Challenges at the Start of Summer

As we kick off this inaugural newsletter, we delve into the current market trends and challenges facing fruit and vegetable growers at the start of the summer season.

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, particularly in regions like California, where the lettuce industry faces significant hurdles due to droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks. Indeed, since the start of the year, the state has faced an atmospheric river that has flooded many farmland and overwhelmed irrigation systems. It now fears record drought levels that could hinder the state’s production.

These challenges not only drive up prices but also pose serious environmental and supply concerns across the country and beyond.

LETTUCES
Canada's Lettuce Dilemma

Image provided by VegPro International

Importing lettuce from California to the Northeast, which hosts the highest population density in North America, exacerbates emissions and food waste due to long transportation times and premature disposal. The carbon footprint associated with long-haul transportation is significant, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation​ (Bay Nature). Moreover, long transit times often lead to spoilage and food waste, which further strains environmental resources​ (Yahoo).

Greenhouse technology offers a solution by enabling year-round cultivation closer to consumers, thus reducing the carbon footprint and preserving freshness. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) ensures optimal growing conditions, minimizing water usage and eliminating the need for harmful pesticides. CEA systems can reduce water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional farming methods (Barbosa et al., 2015).

Investing in advanced greenhouse systems can revolutionize lettuce production, providing locally grown, nutrient-rich greens while mitigating environmental impact. Greenhouse farming shortens the supply chain and ensures that produce reaches consumers at peak freshness, enhancing nutritional value and reducing waste.

Several companies are setting exemplary standards by investing in high-tech CEA greenhouse technology to supply fresh and consistent products to large urban centers across North America. Companies like BrightFarms, Gotham Greens, Little Leaf Farms, Mucci Farms (Cox Farms), and Local Bounti are leading this transformative wave.

A Case In Canada With VegPro International:

Despite extreme winters requiring more heating and light inputs in Canada, VegPro International is making strides with its carbon-neutral, top-of-the-line VERMAX greenhouse system to relocate part of its leafy greens cultivation to Quebec. VegPro is historically well-known for growing open-field leafy greens in North America (the largest vegetable producer in Canada). Their recent switch to high-tech greenhouse cultivation is showing that the market is migrating more and more to controlled environment agriculture.

SMALL FRUITS
Predictability and Consistency in Small Fruits Cultivation

Climate change poses significant challenges for open-field growers, especially those cultivating small fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Unpredictable weather patterns, extreme temperatures, and increased frequency of severe weather events can severely impact crop yields and quality. Just recently in the Quebec Province in Canada, soggy soil has impacted negatively strawberry open-field production by 12.7% (Statistics Canada, June 2024).

A cost-effective solution to these challenges is the use of low-tech gothic high tunnels. These structures provide an intermediate level of environmental protection and control, buffering against rapid climate variations (see illustration below). For instance, studies have shown that the harvest window for fall-planted short-day strawberries can be 4 to 6 weeks earlier and 6 to 8 weeks longer than open-field production. Above all, protecting crops from the outside climate improves production predictability, particularly concerning watering and fertilization frequencies.

Image provided by Harnois



Furthermore, high tunnels offer a relatively short return on investment period compared to higher-tech systems. According to research, raspberry and blackberry farmers can expect to recover their investment in a high tunnel structure within three to four years, making it an economically viable option for small fruit growers in the United States (High Tunnel Production Guide for Raspberries and Blackberries, 2019).

CEA WINE
Future of Grapes Cultivation: CEA and Agrivoltaics

The future of viticulture may lie in integrating CEA and agrivoltaic technologies. Companies like Sunti and Sun’Agri are pioneering dynamic agrivoltaic projects in vineyards in France.

Some of the Gard vineyards in Southeast France, severely affected by late frosts and increasingly violent heatwaves, have turned to innovative solutions to protect their vines from the excesses of the climate.

Growing grapes under solar panels or in greenhouses might become the new norm, offering a dual benefit of crop protection and renewable energy generation.

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TO READ
Complementary Sources:

🍓 Benefits of Low-Tech Gothic High Tunnel Greenhouses for Small Fruit: Explore the key benefits of using low-tech gothic tunnel greenhouses for small fruit cultivation compared to open-field growing. Horti Generation

🥬 Greenhouse Gold: How Kinghaven Farms’ Lettuce is Set to Change the Salad Game: Learn how Kinghaven Farms aims to improve Ontario's food system with efficient greenhouse technology, producing fresher, environmentally sustainable lettuce year-round. Kinghaven Farms

☀️ Nidolères Estate - Sun'Agri: Discover the world’s first agrivoltaic power plant at Domaine de Nidolères, combining sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. Sun'Agri

📝 Comparison of Land, Water, and Energy Requirements of Lettuce Grown Using Hydroponic vs. Conventional Agricultural Methods: The land, water, and energy requirements of hydroponics were compared to those of conventional agriculture by example of lettuce production in Yuma, Arizona, USA. MDPI

Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, practical advice, and cutting-edge updates that will empower and inspire the greenhouse community.