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: 1304

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Ritchie on December 2, 2010 at 3:03am
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
Permalink Reply by Jamie Boland on December 2, 2010 at 4:28am
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
Permalink Reply by David Ritchie on December 3, 2010 at 2:00am
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
Permalink Reply by Jamie Boland on December 7, 2011 at 7:16am

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

Equipment Technician Demand Reaches New Highs

A new report warns Canada will need thousands of equipment technicians in the next decade, with labor shortages affecting dealer growth, customer service, and industry revenue.

Canada Could Add $5.4 Billion by Food Processing in the Country

Shifting 10 per cent of Canada’s raw crop exports to domestic processing could boost the economy by $5.4 billion and create 34,000 jobs, according to a new report from EY.

New herbicide for soybean producers

Growers can implement Zidua Prime into their operations for the 2027 season

Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of September 21, 2026

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $292/cwt live, $2.50/cwt lower than the previous week. Fed cattle prices are at the lowest point since December 2025. Light trade was reported last week with dressed sales ranging from $486.50–$489.50/cwt FOB the feedlot. Cattle that traded were scheduled anywhere from early October to early November delivery. Western Canadian steer carcass weights have steadily increased this summer and are 2 pounds shy of their highs set back in January. Ontario was the bright spot for the Canadian fed market as their prices strengthened last week. Last week, the Canfax feeder steer and heifer price closed the week $8–$11/cwt higher. Despite higher prices, all classes of cattle are trading below last year. With good grass conditions across much of the Prairies, the yearling run has been slow to develop. Over the past week, there was a bigger offering of forward delivery calves with over 50,000 head marketed for fall delivery. In some cases,

U.S. August cattle placements fall to record low

U.S. feedlots placed fewer cattle in August than in any other August since the data series began in 1996, according to the latest Cattle on Feed report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite the decline, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more totalled 11.2 million head as of September 1, up one per cent from a year earlier. August placements totalled 1.62 million head, down nine per cent from the previous year. Net placements were reported at 1.57 million head. USDA data shows it was the lowest August placement total since the series began in 1996. The report was largely in line with pre-report trade expectations, which anticipated lower placements and marketings alongside slightly higher on-feed inventories. Marketings during August totaled 1.52 million head, down three per cent from the same month last year. It was also the lowest August marketing total since 1996. Other disappearance totaled

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service