Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Vegetable Greenhouses NEED new, young growers--but where are all the jobs?

Statistics Canada shows that most of the horticulture/greenhouse management is reaching retirement age, and that almost all of these management positions will turnover within the next 20 years, making the demand for young greenhouse growers very high.

 

This is great for me, because I am a young Greenhouse Technician, recently graduated from a 2 year program where I focused mainly on Greenhouse Vegetable Production.

-Entemology

- Integrated Pest Management

-Water, Media, Fertilizer Management

- Priva, Computerized Controls etc.

 

In addition, tomato and pepper greenhouses are starting a new crop RIGHT NOW,

 

The demand is there..so, why is it so hard to find a job?

 

I am very resourceful, and have pooled together all my contacts to maximize my chances of landing a contract in an Ontario vegetable greenhouses as soon as possible. I have been using forums, following up on all leads, and even revisited the Niagara/Chatham/Leamington area several times to secure a Grower position. I have contacted growers and consultants I know, which has given me good leads but I still have not secured a position and contract.

 

I have excellent references, and lots of experience... Help!

Any suggestions, advice or discussion  is greatly appreciated!!

You can find my resume on my website if needed: jamieboland.blogspot.com

 

Thanks!

 

 

Views: 1217

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Jamie, You will have to actually go to many of the greenhouses directly and let them meet you. There are several good operations outside of the areas you are currently looking in. Exeter has a couple large operations, Petrolia has a good one, St Thomas and Jarvis have top rated propagators, and there is a lot of individual greenhouses scattered around Delhi, Simcoe and Bradford.
You should also get a copy of Greenhouse Canada magazine since many job oportunities are posted there.
If you can switch over to bedding plants there are several oportunities in that field also. They should be listed in the same magazine.
Good luck,
Dave
Hey Dave,
Thanks for your reply to my discussion. I will definitely be checking out these operations in Exeter and I will also check out the propogators you mentioned. I have been checking greenhousecanada.com for job opportunities and have got some really great leads, do you think the hardcopy magazine has additional career listings separate from the ones on the website?

Thanks again for the tips, I'll let you know how it goes!
Jamie
Jamie, I think the hard copy may have jobs posted that may not be online as I see them frequently. Something to keep in mind is that these companies who are looking usually are attempting to find a seasoned grower. Having a new grower coming into the market is also a good thing as they can then train you to suit their needs rather than you changing them. Good luck.

Jamie Boland said:
Hey Dave,
Thanks for your reply to my discussion. I will definitely be checking out these operations in Exeter and I will also check out the propogators you mentioned. I have been checking greenhousecanada.com for job opportunities and have got some really great leads, do you think the hardcopy magazine has additional career listings separate from the ones on the website?

Thanks again for the tips, I'll let you know how it goes!
Jamie

Dave,

Thanks for the advice! I have now been working as Assistant Grower @ Veris in Exeter for 7 months.

Cheers!

Jamie



David Ritchie said:

Jamie, You will have to actually go to many of the greenhouses directly and let them meet you. There are several good operations outside of the areas you are currently looking in. Exeter has a couple large operations, Petrolia has a good one, St Thomas and Jarvis have top rated propagators, and there is a lot of individual greenhouses scattered around Delhi, Simcoe and Bradford.
You should also get a copy of Greenhouse Canada magazine since many job oportunities are posted there.
If you can switch over to bedding plants there are several oportunities in that field also. They should be listed in the same magazine.
Good luck,
Dave

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Harvest is 53 per cent complete, falling 20 per cent behind the five-year average

Harvest progress in Saskatchewan is behind both the five- and ten-year averages at 53 per cent compete, which is still a 12 per cent jump from last week. The five-year average is nearly three quarters complete at 73 per cent, while the 10-year average is 62 per cent. The Saskatchewan Agriculture weekly crop report attributes this season’s shortcoming to the impeding rainfall that many areas received between September 9th and 15th. In the race to finish combining, the southwest region is the furthest along with 66 per cent of crops harvested. The southeast region follows behind with 58 per cent of the crop in the bin. In the west-central and northwest regions 47 per cent of crops have been combined, and in the east-central region harvest is 46 per cent complete. Things are progressing more slowly in the northeast with 42 per cent in the bin. Although the rain slowed progress for many, it also improved soil moisture conditions. When it comes to which crops are off first specific

CRSB Certified recognized as AgriInvest risk assessment tool

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has announced that its CRSB Certified program is now recognized as an agri-environmental risk assessment (AERA) under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInvest program. This means that beef producers who are CRSB Certified and require an AERA to participate in AgriInvest can use their certification to meet that requirement for the government program. AgriInvest is one of the business risk management programs delivered under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), the federal-provincial-territorial framework that supports Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. CRSB Certification joins a list of eligible AERAs including an Environmental Farm Plan and Nutrient Management Plans. Risk assessment must be valid at some point during your fiscal year for which it is required.

Crop Report for the Period September 9 to September 15, 2025

Many areas of the province received rainfall this past week causing producers to briefly pause harvest. Harvest is currently 53 per cent complete, which is a 12 per cent increase from last week. The five-year harvest progress average for this period is 73 per cent, while the 10-year average is 62 per cent. Despite the rain slowing progress, it is welcomed by producers in dry areas as it will improve soil moisture conditions. The southwest region is the furthest along with 66 per cent of crops harvested. The southeast region currently has 58 per cent of the crop in the bin. Harvest is at the same stage in the west-central and northwest regions as 47 per cent of crops have been combined. The east-central region is currently at 46 per cent complete while the northeast has 42 per cent in the bin. Winter wheat and fall rye harvest is now complete. Field pea and lentil crops are very close to wrapping up at 96 and 91 per cent respectively. Triticale is at 75 per cent harvested. Leading

Buying Used vs. New Farm Equipment — What Farmers Need to Know

Daniel Stansbury of AG Revolution shares practical guidance on how farmers can decide between new and used equipment, with tips to minimize risk and maximize value.

Bayer releases new Raxil Rise cereal fungicide seed treatment

The product protects wheat, oats, barley, rye, and triticale

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service