Bill MacDonald, Horticulture professor at Niagara College reports that progress is going well in the Dominican Republic where Niagara College has been working with the local coffee association, ASOCAES, in the town of Los Cacaos. Coffee production has declined significantly due to coffee rust and there is a great need to diversify the local economy.
Growing hydroponically in a greenhouse is not a recent innovation but for some growers it represents a change from the comfort of growing in soil. If one was to poll greenhouse vegetable and flower growers you would find that the majority in fact are growing hydroponically, and those who are growing in soil are hesitant to change from what they are confident in.
Structure maintenance and planning involves more than just new construction projects and a focus on expansion. Often the best dollar value for a grower is in retrofitting and modernizing existing greenhouse structures.
Many years ago I was in the retail business managing a staff of 30 plus people. The grocery chain that I worked for had just been bought by a larger company and things were drastically changing. I had been considering a career change anyway and since I was still fairly young, I decided that it was time. Not knowing what direction I wanted my career to go I answered a newspaper ad for “Greenhouse Labourers”. I thought it would be a nice change while I sorted out my next career move...
Three weeks ago the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced a $333-million investment for new research infrastructure through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Fund.
