Greenhouse Success Stories Podcast sponsored by Harnois Greenhoues - Episode 1
In a recent feature by iGrow News, veteran grower Gabriel Forero shares his journey of building a greenhouse in Alberta, reflecting on leadership, staff development and adapting to change.
Having begun his career managing open-field crops in Colombia (potatoes, lettuce, carrots and more), Forero moved into Canada’s greenhouse sector nearly a decade ago. His early experience in cutting-edge environments, including the cannabis industry, taught him that while technology can aid operations, true success comes from people who understand plants and systems.
Key insights for building a greenhouse in Alberta
- People first: Forero emphasizes not just training staff how to do a task, but why it matters. By giving context to their work, including monitoring pH, irrigation, and valves, his team became more proactive and fewer alerts were required: “Three years ago, I had 25 calls every hour. Now I have one every eight hours.”
- Balance tech + intuition: Though automation and sensors are useful, Forero believes in trusting human observation: “The sensor said everything was fine, but when we pulled the plants, they were full of sponges. He argues that in the context of building a greenhouse in Alberta’s climate and market, this blend of tech and human insight is essential.
- Leadership and resilience: He says you can’t get comfortable in this industry. One proud moment: he left his team to go abroad and challenged them, “I don’t want to see a single dead plant when I come back.” They delivered, proving the power of trust and training.
- Adapting to local context: Moving from Colombia’s open-field crops to Alberta’s high-tech greenhouses was a shift. Forero highlights that, regardless of location or crop type, the fundamentals of plant science remain the same. For anyone thinking about building a greenhouse in Alberta, it underscores the importance of local conditions, crop knowledge and a well-trained workforce.
Why this matters for your greenhouse project in Alberta
If you’re planning to build a greenhouse in Alberta, the lessons from Forero’s experience are directly relevant:
- Invest in staff training and empowerment, not just technology.
- Combine automation with human expertise to manage Alberta’s environment, light, seasonality and market demands.
- Build a team culture that can respond to change, not just stick to routines.
- Recognize that transitioning to greenhouse production in Alberta requires plant science fundamentals, local adaptation, and strong leadership