How Technology Helps Greenhouse Growers Streamline Production, Increase Efficiency
January 16, 2024 
Photo: Garden State Growers
In Greenhouse Grower’s 2023 Top 100 Growers survey, almost 80% of respondents said improving efficiency was the biggest factor causing them to invest in new technology, while another 76% cited the cost of labor. Moreover, 90% of respondents said they plan to invest in new structures, retrofits, or other expansions in the coming year.
As we move into 2024, here’s a closer look at how two different growing operations approach technology adoption.
At Garden State Growers in New Jersey, the focus is on both expanding and improving efficiencies at the same time, according to Jan Nielson, Director of Operations at Garden State, with the ultimate goal being streamlined production.
“Before we make a decision on new technology, we want to see it in action first, or we want to make sure it comes from a supplier we’ve previously worked with and has been proven elsewhere,” says Mike Prol, VP Production and Lean Manager at Garden State Growers. Nielson also notes that while Garden State may not be the first to do something new, it is certainly right behind that first wave, especially when it comes to technology that may be developed and proven in Europe, but has yet to become established by growers in the U.S.
“On the other hand, something that has proven itself in Europe may not be the best solution in the U.S., given the difference in growing operations,” Prol says. “You don’t necessarily want to recreate your business to make something fit.”
Above all else, Nielson says Garden State doesn’t necessarily look for what works for other growers.
“It’s more about how it might work best for us, and how we can use it to meet our own goals,” he says.
One other factor beyond efficiency is consistency in plant quality, Nielson says.
“When we first added ISO planters, labor was the biggest factor,” he says. “One of the things we never factored in was the consistency of the quality of the output of those machines. It was 100% all the time, and our growers came back to us raving about its effectiveness.”
Wenke Greenhouses Increases Efficiency
Wenke Greenhouses in Michigan takes a slightly different approach to technology investments.
“We are not early adopters for equipment and facilities that take time to purchase and install and integrate,” says Lisa Ambrosio, co-owner of Wenke. “But we are the first to use computer tools that make it easier to get the work done and make it easier to do business. Our sales manager says it like this: ‘If it can save me time so I can do more of the things I enjoy, I’ll figure it out.’”
Wenke Greenhouses is in the process of completing an expansion that started almost two years ago.
“We added onto our plug production range so that we could have the plugs and liners together in one location. We are using new technology for the booms, fertilizer injection system, and lighting. This new technology will help us a lot,” Ambrosio says. “At the same time, we’re the most excited about a humidification system in propagation that we are now able to fully implement. It’s not really new technology, but the facility limitations prevented us from fully benefiting. Sometimes you just have to commit to making the system work rather than trying to make do.”
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