Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2011



I had a great time at the Conference. There are several days you can attend, but most growers working full-time will choose one day to attend that best suits their interests, but minimizes their time away from the greenhouse.

 

Speaker Talks are 1/2 - 1 hour long



The day that I chose, I was able to meet up with some affiliates of mine, co-workers, and professors from College and other alumni, it worked out perfectly. The speaker sessions are always featuring really great leaders in the industry, and I always find something that interests me. 


Nicole Stewart of Crop Defenders with
their display of biologicals



New varieties of tomatoes



The Dramm Booth

 

Hangin out with Rijk Zwaans Vegetable Lady!

Growing Greenhouse Flowers

 

Growing Begonias and other flowers in Hanging Baskets



Me and co-worker (and friend!) Katie, hand-watering petunias and impatiens.
 As you can see from the pictures we enjoyed working at Jeffreys and always
made sure to have a little fun too

During my last year at college I began working as a Junior Grower of Greenhouse Flowers under Albert Grimm, it was great! I took part in the production of over 60 types of annuals, as well as potted vegetables and herbs. In my time there,I learned a lot and was able to work with an entire team of growers. Learning to "grow" doesnt come over night, but it helps to be surrounded by other knowledgable people and to get your feet wet! Previous to this I had grown other crops, but was limited in my knowledge of flower production.



Its a beautiful mess after packaging for shipment!

Flower production is challenging sometimes because it is crucial to how the entire plant looks-not just the fruit will be harvested-these crops will be judged by their stems, leaves, and flowers. Often, time is the biggest pressure, since there are deadlines to meet and holidays to conquer!

Getting ready to ship flowers for Independance Day! This train is 20+ carts long!

 My job as a Junior Grower was to manage a few greenhouse compartments. This meant analyzing water moisture content and deciding how to manually water the plants that day. The goal is to direct the plants growth the way you want it. I also mixed fertilizers, distributed biological controls, took soil samples, cared for seedlings, rooted cuttings etc.

 The Head Grower @ Jeffreys Greenhouses was very knowledgable. He often speaks publicly at Greenhouse Events (This year he spoke both at Grower Day in Brantford, as well as at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference Niagara Falls) and writes articles for magazines such as Greenhouse Canada.



To read more, click below:

Interpretation of Nutrient Analysis: By Albert Grimm, Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2003

Growers Toolbox: By Albert Grimm,  Greenhouse Canada, July 2010

Our Experience with IPM: Greenhouse Canada Introduces Albert Grimm, 2008

                                                                *All photos taken by Katie Job**Thank you**

ON to Tha Franch Day 1-3

Scott and I getting our caffeine!

Enjoying some samosas and curry dishes...except Bri.
 Shes just faking. :) Notice how the rice is the only thing eaten off her plate?

Day 1: Canadian Greenhouse Conference in Niagara Falls for the day, Fine Indian Cuisine by night, St Catharines!

Day 2:  Starting the morning with some fresh, organic and fair trade Dark Roast coffee @ the St. Catharines, Market Square :)

Then a long drive ahead of us to Chapeau, Quebec. Woo!!!

Little House on the Prairie revisited?

We found this mini Trading Post (pictures below) posing as an artistic depiction of an old Saloon town, complete with "Big Liz'z Boarding House", an "Ambulance", Barber shop, an Indian village, a cemetary and even an "Under Takers".  From the road, we actually thought it was real!

It was somewhere off of Highway 41, just South of Pembroke.

Inside, you will find a real store, selling your usual native goods such as; mocassins, dream catchers, deer antlers etc.

View of the Ottawa River from Sarahs front door!

Bonfire @ Sarahs, beautiful night.
 Sarahs Cousin playing a travel guitar...!

Day 3: Day at Sarahs Organic Vegetable Farm in Chapeau Quebec, then an hour drive to camp in Gatineau Provincial Park!

I LOVE this pic :)

Sarah harvesting

Fresh organics by Sarah

Some black aphids on corn.

 Just arriving at Provincial Park du Gatineau, Secteur Lac La Peche

After 3 days of driving, conferencing, exploring, and a night partying in Cheapeau, QB, we are over tired, and giddy with our second wind when we realize we have reached our destination! 

We packed the canoe, equipped with whatever we needed for the trip and started making way to our paddle-in only campsite across Lac La Peche. It was an extremely warm day for October, about 26 degrees Celsius! And as we arrived, the sun was on its way down...:)

I was pleasantly surprised to find a completely isolated campsite on a peninsula awaiting us. It was the cleanest campsite I think Ive ever seen. It was very well-treed, no gravel (ew),had immediate access to the water, and was well stocked with fire wood and even had its own outhouse, which was also the cleanest Ive seen. Ever. My experience at Lac La Peche was awesome, and I when I left I wished I could just stay a liiiiittle bit longer. I would definitely recommend this campground. It is phenomenol. Check it out!  Map of Gatineau Park, Secteur: Lac La Peche

Sundown @ Lac La Peche

Thats one tall tent!