AGGA Summer Newsletter 2023

July - September 2023

NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I would like to wish everyone a happy Canada Day and also a good start to summer. We had a different spring this year, it seemed to take a long time to arrive and then suddenly it was summer. So far this season the crops here in the south are doing well. The prices have been good and it’s been a good start to

the season. I attended our annual Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada meeting which was held in Prince Edward Island the first week in July. It’s good to be able to come together in person a couple times a year and it feels more productive than zoom meetings. Angie and I took advantage of being

on the East Coast and are in Quebec as I am writing this. We are touring the Gaspé Peninsula. As you can see in the picture we are in Percé checking out Percé Rock. Its been nice to experience a different part of Canada. The AGGA board is going to have our meet and greet on August 29th and 30th in Olds, at the College. We will have a tour on the 29th and members of the AGGA are welcome to join us. It’s always a good time to meet other growers and share ideas. I am going to refer you to Anna’s report for updates on some of the things that are of interest. I do not want to duplicate (Ha Ha) and she does a way better job then I would! Thanks again Anna. Have a great summer!

Albert Cramer

EDITORS’ COMMENTS

By Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza

Editors’ Comments

We daily read about climate change and the most recent examples close to home are the forest fires which started early in the spring this year and have consumed hundred and thousands of acres of forests. The smoke arising from these fires caused significant health issues, people have to leaves their homes and the mental issues it caused are numerous.

The Following news forced me to write on this subject because we are in the business of growing plants and we can play a major role in mitigating the climate change trends. Look at the following news :

“Tuesday appears to have been the hottest day ever recorded on Earth — and it broke the record set just one day before. July 4 appears to have been the hottest day ever recorded on Earth — and it broke the record set just one day before.

On Tuesday, the global average temperature hit 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine. It was the hottest day recorded since temperatures began to be documented in 1979 with satellite stock recording — and it’s believed to have been one of the hottest days in at least 125,000 years, according to The Washington Post.

As producers of plants including vegetables, ornamentals and tree seedlings we are fixer of carbon di oxide for photosynthesis purposes. Here are few facts:

• Carbon neutral greenhouses will become a reality by 2050.

• You have to examine all your energy inputs. You are already utilizing sun’s energy. Alberta greenhouses use sun’s energy equivalent to up to 5 Gigajoules of energy provided by natural gas

• 2017 data showed that a total CO2 produced annually = 250,589,500 kg. Total CO2 Fixed by greenhouse crops through photosynthesis = 14,884,323 kg. Percent carbon dioxide removed through photosynthesis = 5.94%.

• We are making progress by increasing our yields/m2 in vegetables and using combined heat and power for reduced carbon foot print.

I just want to emphasize that let us start paying more attention to energy use efficiencies and deficiencies.

GROWERS INPUT NEEDED

The AGGA board is seeking help from its members to provide a list of issues facing the industry so that we can better prepare ourselves for advocacy. When ever there is a new government, we prepare a brief highlighting strengths and the importance of our industry. We plan to do so again with new government. Our critical issues include:

• Energy prices both natural gas and electricity. Every newsletter has pages devoted to energy updates and predictions from Emmanuel Laate, senior economist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. This is one of the subject which we discuss at our board meetings.

• Labor is another issue

• Cost of inputs has increased significantly, how it is impacting our profitability

• Greenhouse classification as farming operation. We have been successful in making sure that all government departments know about it.

• Research and knowledge management. We produce a newsletter, we hold greenhouse chats, we have a Meet and Greet event, we have a green industry show and conference.

Please email me with any thoughts you may have at drmirzagreen@gmail.com or give me a call at 780-885-0652

MEET AND GREET

Date: August 29 and 30

Where: Olds College

The AGGA board is delighted to invite the AGGA members and spouses to join in this Meet and Greet event. Once a year we organize this event to meet the board members and see what is going on. A tour of the area is being planned.

Rob Spencer from Olds College and Simon Loewen from Terra Link are helping with the places to visit and general arrangements.

There is no cost to join. Details will be sent to the members soon and posted on our website as well.

By Christie Pollack, Christie’s Garden and Greenhouse Ltd. High Prairie

On May 5th black clouds began rolling over the greenhouse and we heard reports of a forest fire on the East Prairie Metis Settlement (30km from us).

I began snapping pictures and texting them to my family group chat. My brother-in-law (who works for CBC) asked if CBC could use my pictures on the news as they were trying to gather information on the wildfires around Alberta.

Little did we know as we went to bed that the fire had spread over 60km to even reach East Prairie and that over the evening, conditions would put us right in line with it as it moved further west and north.

At 2 am we heard shouting and knocking at our door. At first, I thought it might be someone looking for a place to stay from the fire. And then I saw the piercing lights of red and blue flashing through our windows.

When we finally came to our senses after waking up out of a deep sleep, we heard clearly what was being shouted through our door - “this is an evacuation notice, you have 1 hour to evacuate.”

I thought to myself, “What? How can that be? The fires were far away from us. And what about our greenhouse and our crop?!”

The first thing I did was throw up. Once I got the stress out of my body, I was finally able to begin to make decisions.

Our family lives in a very small house which has forced me to be quite organized. All my family’s important documents are in one bin, and one Filofax. I grabbed our documents, my jewelry box, enough clothes for the kids and I for two days and was ready to go within 30 minutes.

Tanner (my husband) and I planned right then and there. If we had to choose, do we save the house or the greenhouse? We picked the greenhouse.

Next, we each chose a vehicle to drive and headed out north to where we farm and where Tanner’s parents live.

Once we settled the kids at the farm, I drove to the evacuation centre and registered our family. Tanner and his dad drove a truck and trailer with a water tank, hose, and pump back to the greenhouse along with a tractor so we could begin to rip up pasture to create a fire barrier.

By the time we got back to the greenhouse, it was nearly 4am and the wind shifted, now blowing from the east which sent the fire out of our direction.

The fire stayed south-west of us the remaining weeks as the winds blew and our community fought to save houses, shops, and structures.

What did I learn?

1. Have your documents in one area that is easy to grab and go in case of an emergency. Scan copies and keep them on an external hard drive that is stored off site or on a secure cloud.

2. Take pictures periodically of your site. Count your benches/other assets within your buildings and have updated records each season.

3. Have sentimental things like jewelry together or in a safe deposit box.

4. Scan in old photos and keep on a cloud server or off site.

5. Always have a case of drinking water at hand.

6. Make sure to register at the evacuation centre. You need your evacuation papers to be registered to access any benefits from the government.

7. Think about business interruption insurance - would it be worth it? Talk to your insurance company. I listened in on the Alberta Town Hall meetings for fire evacuees and learned that there are personal programs/benefits available, but there are no business programs/benefits from the government available. Something to consider when talking with your insurance company.

We honestly never thought we’d ever be in the middle of a forest fire considering we are surrounded by farms and fields, but the modelling of the fire put us in line with it and if the wind hadn’t shifted it would have hit us at 4:30am.

You never know and may as well have a plan.

Editor’s note: Christie, it is really appreciated that you took time to write this up. Very practical and useful information. Be prepared is the key message. We always think that accidents don’t happen to us. In the last issue I shared pictures from a greenhouse damage from heavy snow loads. BE PREPARED.

By Anna De Paoli, De Paoli & Associates

Advocacy Update, July 2023

July 1st marks the start of the summer season for me as I am the volunteer Chair of the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society board of Directors. One of our flagship events is the annual Canada day races where we attract crowds of up to 5,000 people from Calgary and the surrounding area. 2023 was the 118th running of the event and we were honoured to be joined by RJ Sigurdson our new Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation. RJ is a frequent visitor at the Millarville racetrack, in the spring he helped us with the construction of a new Agriculturally themed

playground and on July1st, joined us for our parade. I am delighted that he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and look forward to working with him in advocating for the greenhouse industry.

At the last AGGA board meeting, Dr. Mirza took an action to engage with AGGA members to see what topics are important to you so that we can recommence our advocacy efforts. Please let Dr. Mirza know where we can be of assistance to help grow and support your operations. With the new Cabinet roles announced, we will need to present your concerns to Minister Sigurdson and also Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities amongst other Ministers and MLAs.

A reminder that the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership has two grants that maybe of interest to you; Emerging Opportunities and the On Farm Value Added Program.

The news on Federal Bill C-234 An Act to Amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act is that it passed Second Reading in the Senate on June 13th and is now going to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry for review before it can progress to third reading. We were hoping to see this Bill pass through the Senate in this session as it includes an increase from 80 to 100% of the exemption to the federal carbon tax for eligible greenhouse producers. At the time of writing, I don’t know how long the process will take from this point forward.

Wishing you a happy and successful summer 2023 season! As always, if I can be of assistance, please reach out at anna@dpaconsulting.ca

CelebratingCanadaDayattheMillarvilleraces SuzanneOelFoothillsCountyCouncillor,RCMPSergentDonoftheTurner ValleyDetachment,RJSigurdson,MinisterofAgriculture&Irrigation,Barb Castell Foothills County Councillor,Brent Foster Races Chair & Anna De Paoli

“With the new Cabinet roles announced, we will need to present your concerns to Minister Sigurdson and also Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities amongst other Ministers and MLAs. ”

THE STORY OF TWIN ACRES GREENHOUSE, WHITECOURT, ALBERTA

By Vanessa Long

Dr Mirza asked me to share how growing flowers and greenhouse vegetables was working. So here is the vegetable side of my story— please laugh with me as you read!

This spring marked the start of my third season in the business of horticulture. The floriculture side of the greenhouse is a whirlwind and the wheels of the operation only became slightly loosened this year as the bumps in the road were navigated. A significant change I made this year was hiring older more reliable team members and giving them specific roles. I anticipated a hectic family life in the spring and I knew I would need a team who could run show without me if needed and not add any significant stress to my life. I love my team and they share the excitement for my long- term dream for the business.

Our largest greenhouse (~4000sqft—tiny for many in the industry) is our main retail space for the flowers. The second 2000sqft greenhouse pulls double & triple duty to push my dream forward as much as possible with what we have. The dream: expand the business into other areas of agriculture that will cause more people to know the business and come to us for their plant and food needs.

So how did all this happen…

I love growing plants— especially vegetables but I don’t like canning, freezing or processing them. Weird, right! I am excited to see seeds sprout, seedlings grow, and flowers turn to fruit. I like to grow different vegetables— last year it was artichoke. They grew very well in our abnormally

long season, but I failed to process one into something edible.

I “retired” from a 17-year career in education in 2022 and realized I could now attend the mid-week, mid-day market as a vendor. Maybe I could sell the produce! I have these beautiful greenhouses that are great hailstorm protectors — why not use them to grow vegetables in the summer! Sounded logical to me. (I am from Vancouver Island where it does NOT hail or snow from April to November!!)

My first year, while still teaching, I grew hanging cherry tomatoes that I started on May long weekend from seed. I also added in a whooping 25 greenhouse cucumber plants, 50 garden pickling cucumbers and 40 garden variety tomatoes. I learned far more than I ever wanted too! I quickly found out there is a difference between garden and greenhouse variety tomatoes, cucumbers and spider mites are really good friends, and cucumbers don’t like a high EC. I also grew everything in the largest container I had and hand watered everything. The greenhouse cucumbers died quickly, followed by the pickling cucumbers. However, I was amazed at how quickly they grew. I over fertilized the tomatoes so much that I only had green leafy plants with few tomatoes. I also found out my twins LOVE to pick tomatoes.

My second year, now retired from teaching, I excitedly grew “proper” greenhouse varieties! My crop was MASSIVE with 112 tomatoes & 103 cucumber plants. They grew alongside the flowers and I barricaded them so that customers couldn’t take them or eat the fruit. I spent hours on a ladder tying up the tomatoes and cucumbers, mixed Dr Mirza’s fertilizer recipe one 20L bucket at

a time and watered every plant with a measuring cup. I was determined not to kill the cucumbers and at least have tomatoes to sell. Of course, I learned more— this time about thrips and cucumbers, took the dive into bio control and saw that it did in fact help, realized bees would be necessary as my hand pollination skills were severely lacking. The cucumbers were not pretty but I didn’t kill them. Also found out my twins will eat cherry tomatoes until they throw up.

However, the most important lesson came when I wanted to sell my lovely ‘matoes. Customers really loved the product but didn’t have easy access to enough people to buy my produce at the small local market and I was up against BC vegetables and those that buy from “the big guys” (our large Alberta greenhouse producers) to resell at the markets.

So myself and twins drove 90 mins away to another farmers market in an attempt to sell what I was growing and I forced myself to process the tomatoes and sell that product too. At the end of that season, I had a lot of pasta sauce to make and wasn’t sure if I’d try this endeavour again.

I’m a newbie so I try to go to everything the AGGA offers including the meet and greet & Green Industry show. One of the main reasons I wanted to go to the Green industry show was the Doefs greenhouse tour— I really wanted to see this new greenhouse or any greenhouse they had! It was amazing to see but overwhelming and so far away from where I am in my dinky non-tech little greenhouse. However, because I went to these events I met 2 encouraging people named Albert & Nadine, and they inspired me to continue on— also December just makes me want to plant everything!!

My 2000sqft greenhouse is home to the produce this year. The tomatoes and peppers were transplanted in early March along with 3000 perennials and 640 hanging baskets. Once the perennials were kicked outside in May, the cucumbers were transplanted. It was a bit of a nightmare getting the hanging baskets down without breaking off the tomatoes. I got bit smarter too— I water everything with our irrigating system now and “trained” one part time staff member to be dedicated to the produce. It might be the blind leading the blind in the training area. I have a lovehate relationship with cucumbers and have to keep the twins out of the greenhouse so we have some tomatoes & cucumbers to sell— they aren’t pepper fans so I might have to move in that direction next year!

I am currently growing 200 cucumbers, 50 peppers, and 300 tomatoes. And praying I can figure out how to make the hydroponic lettuce system work so I will have 90 heads of lettuce a week plus other fun vegetable and herbs in midAugust in our rearranged retail greenhouse. My market garden friend and I approached our local chamber of commerce last fall to start a Saturday farmers market to help build horticulture & agriculture in our area. Our new market is averaging 600 people each week (about 6% of our areas population). But most exciting, the produce is selling — and I’m not having to process it! The lettuce fiasco of last fall-winter, has helped consumers realize they need a local sustainable food source. It is my dream to move in this direction.

Thank you for reading my story. Hopefully, you had a good laugh! Maybe you are inspired to use your greenhouses in a new way. Dream big— that’s partly how “the big guys” got where they are today.

UPDATE ON ENERGY PRICES

Emmanuel Anum Laate Senior Crop Economist, Economics Section

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI)

Article submitted for publication in the July-September 2023 Issue of AGGA’s Newsletter

In Alberta, you can choose a regulated or competitive retailer to supply energy to your home or business. Energy prices in the province are mainly a function of market supply and demand. Key factors on the supplyside that affect prices include production, net imports, and storage levels while those on the demand-side include weather, economic conditions, and petroleum prices.

At the time of writing this article (July 4, 2023), the weather forecasts predict a high probability for “above normal” Alberta summer. For example, according to The Weather Network, temperatures will be above normal, and precipitation will be near normal. In their November 2022 to October 2023 Weather Forecast for the Prairies, The Old Farmers’ Almanac indicated that summer will be warmer than normal, on average, with the hottest periods in early and late August. September and October will be warmer than normal, on average, with precipitation slightly below normal in the east and above normal in the west.

Warmer than normal temperatures during summer increase the demand for cooling which usually results in higher energy prices. On the other hand, a mild summer tends to lead to weaker demand which helps moderate prices. Figure 1 shows how average monthly natural gas prices during the first half of 2023 compares with 2022, 2021 and the average of the past five years (2018-2022 average).

Figure 1: Monthly Natural Gas Prices in Alberta

As shown in Figure 1, natural gas price (farm use, excluding service or delivery charge) is estimated at approximately $2.45 per gigajoules (GJ) in June 2023, down 64 per cent from June 2022 and down 32 per cent from the 2018-2022 average. According to TC Energy’s July 2023 “Power Market Update”, Alberta benchmark

Source: Alberta Farm Input Prices, Statistics and Data Development Section, AGI.

natural gas price (AECO) will average $2.16 per GJ in July, $2.15 per GJ in August, $2.51 per GJ for the remaining months of 2023 and $2.94 per GJ in 2024.

According to Deloitte Canada’s June 2023 price forecast, the seasonally high natural gas storage levels in Europe combined with lower demand due to warmer than expected winter weather, have pushed down natural gas prices and reduced demand for liquid natural gas imports. Figure 2 shows how average monthly bulk liquefied propane prices in 2023 compares with 2022, 2021 and the average of the past five years (20182022 average).

Figure 2: Monthly Propane Prices in Alberta

In June 2023, bulk liquefied propane is estimated at $82.80 per 100 litres, a decrease of 19 per cent compared to June 2022 and up seven per cent compared with the 2018-2022 average.

Albertans on regulated rate plans can expect a significant spike to their electricity bills this summer, with an expected surge in power prices. Figure 3 shows how average monthly electricity prices during the first half of 2023 compares with 2022, 2021 and the average of the past five years (2018-2022 average).

Source: Alberta Farm Input Prices, Statistics and Data Development Section, AGI.

“According to Deloitte Canada’s June 2023 price forecast, the seasonally high natural gas storage levels in Europe combined with lower demand due to warmer than expected winter weather, have pushed down natural gas prices and reduced demand for liquid natural gas imports.”

Figure 3: Monthly Electricity Prices in Alberta

As shown in Figure 3, electricity price (farm use, excluding service or delivery charge) is estimated at $18.43 per 100 kWh in June 2023, up 70 per cent from June 2022 and up 149 per cent compared to the 2018-2022 average. According to TC Energy’s July 2023 “Power Market Update”, on-peak electricity prices will average $285.95 per MWh ($28.60 per 100 kWh) in July, $322.50 per MWh ($32.25 per 100 kWh) in August, $236.62 per MWh ($23.66 per 100 kWh) for the remaining months of 2023 and $114.13 per MWh ($11.41 per 100 kWh) in 2024.

Growers who are currently under a variable-rate contract in Alberta (be it residential or commercial), are encouraged to use information from the Utilities Consumer Advocate website (www.ucahelps.alberta.ca) to proactively examine their energy sourcing in order to manage future price exposures.

“According to TC Energy’s July 2023 “Power Market Update”, on-peak electricity prices will average $285.95 per MWh ($28.60 per 100 kWh) in July, $322.50 per MWh ($32.25 per 100 kWh) in August, $236.62 per MWh ($23.66 per 100 kWh) for the remaining months of 2023 and $114.13 per MWh ($11.41 per 100 kWh) in 2024.”

Source: Alberta Farm Input Prices, Statistics and Data Development Section, AGI.

SEEKING GREENHOUSE TO PURCHASE FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

Editor’s note: Please call me if you want to talk about this project. I have known Joey for a longtime and his interest in a greenhouse production is remarkable. Genuinely interested to expand their footprint in Alberta.

Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza Knowledge Educator Alberta

Agriculture Hall of Fame 2014 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780-885-0652

Friday, June 23, 202

Joey Hundert Founder & CEO Sustainitech Inc.

115 Wolseley St. Toronto, ON M6J 1K1 Ph: 1-780-982-0334

http://sustainitech.com

Re: Seeking greenhouse to purchase for vegetable production

Dearest Dr. Mirza,

I would first like to thank you for your many years of guidance and mentorship both personally & corporately. We are just one of the many groups lucky enough to receive your sage advice. I fondly recall the time, years and years ago, when you taught me how to mix hydroponic solution (for my lettuce plants) in a yogurt container. You have been such a vital and trustworthy champion of the sector and its many participants. As always, thank you.

Sustainitech is expanding, again. After building a number of successful lettuce & herb growing operations, we are looking to increase our Albertan footprint. We would like to purchase an existing greenhouse from a good operator. We are totally open to keeping leadership & teams intact at the target facility, as the people are often times even more important than the facility. While we would likely bring in our head grower, there’s no reason that folks can’t be retrained to work with our crops.

With regards to size and specifications, we are interested in facilities ranging from 2 hectares up to 10 ha. (eg. 5 to 25 acres). As you know, as it relates to climate control, taller is better. So while we’d love to find something at 7m to the gutter, we’d be open to heights down to 5m. Similarly, while glass is preferable to our purposes, we are also open to a well-built plastic greenhouse. It would be nice to find something with pad + fan cooling as well as high pressure fogging, however, we’re also open to retrofitting those pieces. Artificial light will be a must for us, so if there are already lights installed, that would be a plus. While we are most likely to replace the fixtures, knowing that the mechanical and electrical elements are already in place would be good. However, yet again, if there are no lights at the moment, we’d still be interested in hearing about a facility.

As it relates to logistics, it would be very good to find a greenhouse that already has a table system. We’re preferential to 19’ x 5’ (or close to that size), however, this is not a show stopper for us. We can look to install a table system or change an existing one if required. Therefore, if there is no table system, that is fine as well.

We would want to know about the history of operations of the greenhouse and get to know the owners / operators (often the same team). There may be a way to work together, which is always nice. Geographically speaking, we are open to the whole province (as well as BC).

In any case, hopefully this is a useful description of what we’re looking for. Please feel free to distribute to your friends in the industry.

Best Regards,

Joey Hundert Founder & CEO Sustainitech Inc.

Background

The slogan “prevention is better than cure” attributed to the Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus in 16th century is true for plants as it is for humans. Maintaining plant health is very critical to obtaining optimum plant growth and yield. It is always better to use preventive measures as the first line of defence, before resorting to pesticides. But what happens when disease infection is not noticed in time, subtle or overcomes the preventive measures as is often the case for new or virulent pathogens or strains?

Today, the cannabis and hemp (Cannabis sativa) industry is faced with an unprecedented threat of growing viral infections and a ‘silent killer’ a viroid, Hop latent viroid (HLVd) that has tested to the limit, the observance of good agricultural practices (GAPs) to achieve optimum plant health, especially in greenhouse production systems. Most viral infections express obvious symptoms that are easily noticeable by growers, such as yellowing of leaves, mosaic, mottling, necrosis, stunting, curling, and reduced yield and potency. However, Hop latent viroid infections are initially asymptomatic (photo - left) and require much attention to distinguish or they can easily be confused with healthy plants (photo - right). Unfortunately, the typical HLVd symptoms like impaired growth, small flowers, reduced resin glands and low levels of terpenes and cannabinoids express much later after economic damage has already been caused to the plants. But the biggest challenge arises from mass propagation and distribution of HLVd infected clones that are assumed to be healthy.

What is the problem?

First, more than twenty-four (24) viruses (including 2 viroids) are known to infect cannabis and hemp worldwide with significant economic loses. However, available commercial test kits are only able to detect twelve (12) virus species and the two (2) viroids: Hop latent viroid (HLVd) and Hop stunt viroid (HSVd). Using high throughput sequencing (HTS), eight (8) more viruses were detected in cannabis and hemp that still lack commercial test

kits. Therefore, there is a high chance that some unknown or undetected viruses are unknowingly being distributed in clones and tissue culture plantlets to growers, which can cause significant yield loss and reduced product (cannabinoids and terpenoids) quality and value.

Second, most of the valued clones (industry standards) have probably undergone multiple cycles of propagation and have accumulated several viruses/viroids (including unknown viruses and other pathogens), and hence serve as ready sources of infection.

Third, to control the spread of HLVd and the viruses, some growers are resorting to destroying infected plants and mother stocks, which risks losing valued elite cultivars/strains, income, and many years of business investment.

Lastly, diagnosis of virus/viroid infections requires expert knowledge, skills, and equipment, which are lacking among many breeders, commercial nursery operators and growers.

Well, not all hope should be lost! Virus/viroid infections can be cleaned, and the plants restored to perfect health and productivity. We at InnoTech Alberta are here to help!

Photo: Showing a cannabis plant infected with Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) (left) and a healthy plant (right). Source: Dark Heart Nursery: https://darkheartnursery.com/hop-latent-viroid/. Notice the lack of clear symptoms in HLVd-infected plants, which makes it very difficult to diagnose by untrained eyes.

What is the solution?

• Always grow clean seedlings (clones or tissue culture plantlets) that have been checked for virus/ viroid infections.

• Practice all the good agricultural practices (GAPs) to maintain production facilities free from viral/ viroid diseases.

• Seek help from experts in virus/viroid testing, cleaning, certification and germplasm regeneration and conservation.

How can we help you?

• InnoTech Alberta is offering the following specialised and customised services to solve the unique challenges faced by clients in cannabis and hemp plant health (virus/viroid) management, and germplasm regeneration and conservation.

• The optimised techniques and services have immediate and commercially relevant applications in the cannabis industry, and high relevance to hemp breeders, bioscience tissue culture nursery operators, growers, and government regulatory agencies.

Services we can offer now:

• Conduct diagnostics for detection of known viruses/viroids using available commercial test kits on the market.

• Screen for new or unknown viruses/viroids using high throughput sequencing (HTS).

• Design new qPCR-based diagnostics for detecting new viruses in (2 above).

• Virus cleaning using thermotherapy - optimised for different virus and plant/crop species.

• Germplasm conservation for seed and clone-raised hemp and cannabis, and other industrial crops/ornamentals.

Planned services:

1. Hemp and cannabis tissue culture regeneration and micropropagation. This is currently constrained by renovations of the tissue culture facilities.

2. Germplasm conservation using tissue culture (for the same reason in 1 above).

• Furthermore, the optimised techniques and services have wide applications in other clonally produced industrial/horticulture crops and ornamental species.

Institutional Statement: InnoTech Alberta

• InnoTech Alberta offers a diversified range of scientific, engineering, and technological applied research and testing services, coupled with the associated facilities and supporting technology focused on assisting a range of clients overcome operational and technology development hurdles.

• As such InnoTech is well positioned to provide the much-needed solutions to address the challenges facing stakeholders in the cannabis and hemp space,

since it possesses an institutional Health Canada cannabis license, facilities, space, and over 20 years of expertise to conduct research and development of industrial hemp and cannabis.

The Team

Earl Jenson – Division Director

Ralph Lange – Team Lead

Jan Slaski – Expert Researcher (Breeder - Cannabis and Hemp)

Peter Sseruwagi – Senior Researcher

(Plant Virologist - Cannabis and Hemp)

Contact: Peter Sseruwagi. PH: 780 920 3559

403 993 4972

Greenhouse cleanliness is crucial to achieving a productive growing season. As our AGGA members embark on the forthcoming quarter, it is important to remind ourselves of the importance of a meticulous end-of-crop cleanout. Successful crop production begins with a spotless greenhouse, so let’s take a few minutes to review some cleanout action points as well as some of the products used to accomplish them.

Our sanitation journey begins with Organic Matter Removal, casting out old plants, debris, and soil that harbor pests and pathogens.

This crucial step also involves the removal of contaminated mobile equipment, strings, clips and other miscellaneous items, setting the stage for a sanitized, efficient environment for future growth.

Water Line Cleaning is the next step, where we first tackle mineral

build-up in irrigation lines with an acid cleaner, followed by a rigorous biofilm removal using products containing hydrogen peroxide, each flushed out with fresh water1

Next, we apply Detergents via spraying or foaming, which include potent surfactants that provide excellent penetration, aiding in the breakdown of biofilms and minerals and enhancing the upcoming disinfection process2. A rinse step is needed at this point, after which it is important to ensure all surfaces are reasonably dry and ready for the next steps in our cleanout program. Remember, while these cleaners exhibit some germicidal activity, they are not disinfectants.

Time for Hard Surface and Structure Disinfection. This is where the heavy-hitters come in: Bleach, peroxide chemistries, and quaternary ammonia3. These agents each possess an arsenal effective against a wide range of pathogens, ensuring that our greenhouse becomes a fortress against these harmful invaders. Notably, vegetable growers in particular should carefully select disinfectants considering their specific

Simon Loewen- TerraLink Alberta

“Successful crop production begins with a spotless greenhouse, so let’s take a few minutes to review some cleanout action points as well as some of the products used to accomplish them.”

challenges, like green mottle and rugose, which are classified as nonenveloped viruses and may not be controlled with bleach. After this thorough sanitation, an optional yet highly recommended fourth step follows, which involves a second layer of sanitation, (either through spray or fogging) ideally rotating in a different chemistry than was used in the first disinfection.

Keep in mind that these annual cleanout efforts go hand in hand with the use of an efficient incrop sanitation program. It is recommended that growers use a diluted peroxide/peracetic acid mix throughout the crop cycle to ensure lines and drippers remain free of biofilm4. Also worth considering is installing floor mats at greenhouse entrances to ensure pathogens are not vectored inside by staff and other visitors.

What’s new in the world of greenhouse sanitation? Leveraging the power of hydrogen peroxide stabilized with silver chelate, Intra Hydro Pure ensures biofilm-free, clean water for crops, enhancing yields and reducing pesticide use. By effectively removing biofilm from irrigation systems, it guarantees homogeneous water quality, reduces production loss, and increases oxygen levels in the water. Additionally, it maintains a balanced pH, minimizing nutrient deposits and crop protection product usage, making it an approved tool for organic farming and a revolutionary new active ingredient for greenhouse sanitation.

In conclusion, the journey to a clean, green, and thriving greenhouse is a step-by-step process. From a thorough initial cleanout to rigorous surface sanitation and meticulous line cleaning, every action counts. Remember, the products that we use are as important as how and when we use them. As we step into the new season, let’s embrace cleanliness, armed with knowledge and the right tools. Stay green, stay clean, dear AGGA members! Here’s to a promising, fruitful season ahead.

1. Use Strip-It Pro (Pace Chemicals) @ 1:50 dilution (19.5 mL / L), holding for 1-8 hours before flushing. Then, use Sanidate 5.0 (Biosafe Systems) @ 10mL / L, holding for 3-12 hours before flushing.

/ L by pressure washer, foam applicator, or backpack sprayer, and rinse. OR Biosolve Plus (Vetoquinol) @ 8-16mL / L.

3. Use Virkon (Vetoquinol): 1% = 10 kg dissolved in 1,000L soln OR Chemprocide (Pace Chemicals): 8ml per L OR Advance 2% Soln 12A Bleach at 1 part to 9 parts water OR Fogging Sanidate 5.0 @ 2.5 mL / L

4. Use 1 L ZeroTol Broad-Spectrum Algaecide/Fungicide (Biosafe Systems) per 10,000 L of water (1:10,000) OR 35% Food Grade peroxide, applied @ 3ppm on constant dosage (~0.6 mL / 100L)

5. Use Hydro Pure (Intra horti) @ 40 ppm (40mL /1,000L) during crop cycle with every watering OR 1-3% soln for end of season line cleaning, held overnight before flushing.

PICTURES FROM THE NEW BLOOM EVENT AT DEB’S GREENHOUSES

By Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza

The New Bloom event was held on June 30th. It is always exciting to participate, meet and greet growers, presenters, provide information about our association and benefit from new blooms coming up for 2024 season. Here are few pictures with a short note. I tried to take pictures with the tags on them so that our readers know what they are.

This is the snap shot of the program. One can see the name of the companies which contributed materials and some funds to the event. I was able to make a short presentation about our greenhouse industry and explain the benefits of becoming a member.

Very attractive begonias. Good flower holding and deep bright colors. The trailing begonia on the right attracted lots of attention

PICTURES FROM THE NEW BLOOM EVENT AT DEB’S GREENHOUSES

Debbie Foisy welcoming the participants and explaining about the details of New Bloom

PICTURES FROM THE NEW BLOOM EVENT AT DEB’S GREENHOUSES

PICTURES FROM THE NEW BLOOM EVENT AT DEB’S GREENHOUSES

AGGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OTHER CONTACTS

PRESIDENT — Albert Cramer

Rolling Acres Greenhouses Ltd.

Box 1252

Redcliff, AB T0J 2P0

Ph: 403-504-3339

PAST PRESIDENT – Debbie Foisy

Deb’s Greenhouse

25505 Sec Hwy 642

Sturgeon County, AB T8R 2A3

Ph: 780-939-9690

VICE PRESIDENT – Christie Pollack

Christie’s Gardens and Greenhouses Ltd.

Box 1562

High Prairie, AB T0G 1E0

Ph: 780-536-0204

SECRETARY – David Hoekstra

Big Marble Farms

PO Box 287, Redcliff, AB T0J 2P0

Ph: (403) 525-1475

TREASURER – Paul Doef

Doef’s Greenhouses Ltd.

Site 1, Box 14, RR 3

Lacombe, AB T4L 2N3

Ph: 403-782-2704

DIRECTOR — Dietrich Kuhlmann

Kuhlmann’s Market Gardens & Ghs Ltd.

1320 - 167 Avenue NW

Edmonton, AB T5Y 6L6

Ph: 780-475-7500

DIRECTOR – Michiel Verheul

High Q Greenhouses Inc.

55431 RR 262

Sturgeon County, AB T8R 0W7

Ph: 780-939-7490

DIRECTOR – Robert Spencer

Spencer Horticultural Solutions

6008 - 50A Avenue, Stettler, AB T0C 2L2

Ph: (403) 323-2572

DIRECTOR – Simon Loewen

TerraLink Horticulture Inc.

105-18 Highland Park Way NE, Airdrie AB

(403) 993-4972

NEWSLETTER EDITOR, CONSULTANT

Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza

Edmonton, AB

Ph: 780-885-0652

Email: drmirzagreen@gmail.com

AGGA AWARD NOMINATIONS RECOGNITION

The Herb Knodel Award is bestowed upon a distinguished Alberta greenhouse grower for their contribution to the Alberta Greenhouse Grower’s Association. If you know of a grower that has served the industry well over the years, nominate them for this prestigious award.

The Grower of the Year Award recognizes active grower members for their innovation, enterprise, hard work and accomplishment in the field of greenhouse production and retail. If you know of a colleague or co-worker that is deserving of recognition, please consider nominating them.

The Meritorious Service Award is presented to individuals for their excellent service, contribution and dedication to the Alberta greenhouse industry who are not growers, but who have contributed to the industry, primarily in the area of research.

SCHOLARSHIP

Do you have a child entering or continuing at a post-secondary institution this fall? The Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza Educational Scholarship Foundation funds two $1,000.00 bursary’s every year to the child of an AGGA member attending a college, university or institute of technology in any discipline.

Deadline for applications is October 31, 2023

For a scholarship application form check on the AGGA website or contact the office at: member_services@agga.ca.

If you would like to a nominate a member for an award, please contact the president or any of the board members by October 1st.

Greenhouse Resource Extension Assistance Team

• Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza - lead, AGGA

• Dr. Ken Fry, Olds College

• Emmanuel Anum Laate, AAF

Advertising Rates

Classified Ads

Grower Members: Free

Non-Members: $10.00 per ad. (up to 25 words)

Display Ads

Members

Non-Members

1/2 page $100.00

Full page $180.00

Prices are for camera ready artwork only in word format Non-camera ready ads will be extra

EDITOR

Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza drmirzagreen@gmail.com

Ph: 780-885-0652

AGGA

18051-107 AVENUE NW, EDMONTON, AB T5S 1K3

Ph: 780-489-1991 ext 2 Toll Free: 1-800-378-3198

Direct line: 587-200-4043

Information in this newsletter is provided in good faith and no liability is assumed or implied.

“The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter.”

- Jen Selinsky

AGGA Newsletter is published quarterly by the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association (AGGA).

MAILING ADDRESS: 18051-107 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5S 1K3

Ph: 780-489-1991, 1-800-378-3198 or Direct Line: 587-200-4043

Email: member_services@agga.ca  Website: http://agga.ca

 NEW GROWER MEMBERSHIP (first year or part thereof) $155.00 + $7 75 GST = $162.75

 Grower: Business growing commercial crops in a controlled environment, including garden centers.

 Allied Trades: Business involved in the sale of products or services related to greenhouse crops.

 Associate: Individual who represents an educational, research, extension or government agency.

 Individual: Individual involved in or has an interest in horticulture, who is not employed by a company that is eligible for membership.

 Student: Person studying horticulture full -time at a post-secondary institution (Registration required each year )

GROWERS

GROWERS REQUIRED INFORMATION

*Required fields.

*Newsletter email:

*Type of Operation:  Wholesale  Retail

*Greenhouse Area in sq. ft.

*Operation Schedule:  Year Round  Seasonal Year established: ______________________________

*______ Approx. # Employees High Season

* Approx. # Employees Low Season

*RedHat Co-op member?  Yes  No

CROPS GROWN – Please Complete

WEB SITE INFORMATION

Have your company information listed on the AGGA website: http://agga.ca

 List Web Site Address

 List on Retail Map (Growers Only)

 List in Wholesale Buyers Guide

 Feature my greenhouse on the AGGA Facebook page

For Retail Map – brief location description

Produce: Garden Plants: Floral:

 Cucumbers  Annuals  Cuttings/Seedlings  Cut Flowers

 Tomatoes  Perennials  Other

 Peppers  Shrubs

 Trees

COMPANY NAME:___________

 Potted Flowers

 Tropical Plants

Make cheque for donations payable to the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association.

CanwecountonadditionalsupportforourFoundations?Yes,I would like todonate tothe:

ALLIED T RADES ONLY

Email address for Newsletter:

 List Web Site Address

 List in Wholesale Buyers Guide

Please list the products or services you provide to growers:

CONTACT: (First & Last name) _______________________________________________________________________

(Please Note: Only one name per company will be entered into our database.)

MAILING ADDRESS:____________________________________________

CITY:______________________________________ PROVINCE:___________ POSTAL CODE:_____

TELEPHONE:__ FAX:_______

EMAIL:________________________________

WEB SITE:______________________________

 VISA  MasterCard  Cheque (payable to the AGGA)

Card number _ Expiry Date__ /

Name on card (print) Signature _____

Email receipt to: ____________________

By submitting your application for membership, you hereby authorize and expressly consent to the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association (AGGA) collecting, using, or disclosing your personal information as permitted pursuant to relevant privacy laws, and to provide such information to third parties as required in the operation of the Association. A copy of the Association’s privacy policy is available by contacting AGGA at 1-800-378-3198. GST # 119402196

Grower rates after first year based on square footage.