Why We Need the Greenhouse Technology Network
Note: This blog post was written by Dr. Rita Sterne, Project Manager with the Greenhouse Technology Network and posted on OnFloriculture.com.
Success for a greenhouse business comes from many things, including balancing systems, constant vigilance, and the use of technologies across complex production activities. From tools, equipment, and machines, to methods, systems, and techniques, new and improved technologies must help growers run profitable businesses in a world where there are increasing demands from society, environment, and economy.
Technological advancements often develop in response to a challenge, but research and development is a costly undertaking for many small and medium sized businesses and some persistent challenges require research expertise that is hard to access. This is where the Greenhouse Technology Network can help.
What is the Greenhouse Technology Network?
The need for new and improved technologies is the driver behind the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a consortium of three research-focused institutions. GTN members leverage their research expertise in greenhouse technologies with greenhouse and related technology businesses to help grow innovation in Ontario’s greenhouse industry.
Powered by funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, GTN members help businesses de-risk innovation activities and help new and improved technologies get to greenhouse growers faster where they will help business thrive and grow.
GTN members include three heavyweights in the greenhouse research space:
- The Agriculture and Environmental Technologies Centre at Niagara College, home of Ontario’s first Greenhouse Technician program where curiosity in real-life research projects is grown and future horticulturalists emerge.
- The Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility at the University of Guelph, home to cutting-edge growing chambers where experts measure anything related to a plant or the growing environment.
- The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to horticulture science and innovation with strengths in genetics, automation, and IPM.
Together, GTN members create value for growers and greenhouse-related technology businesses by leveraging knowledge, experience, equipment, and facilities to solve challenges for business partners. Members also successfully plan and execute research projects and access GTN funding to de-risk innovation activities for the business. GTN members create value for growers and greenhouse-related technology businesses by extending their research and development activities. Finally, each GTN member is also experienced in collaborating to find solutions for complex challenges.
Continue reading here.
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