About 70 commercial growers from British Columbia and other industry partners from as far afield as Seattle and Ontario, joined in another fabulous, second year, "ACT BC Grower Summit", reports Gary Jones, Program Manager, Industry Development, BC Greenhouse Growers Association. "Held on a gloriously beautiful spring day on April 24, 2025, at Northview Golf Club in Surrey, BC, it was tempting to head out onto the fabulously manicured PGA Championship golf course, but instead attendees were treated to a diverse and fascinating program hosted by the 'ACT Group'. (If you don't already know, ACT is a collaboration of four leading horticulture providers: Grodan, Philips Horticulture LED Solutions, Priva, and Svensson). This year's theme was 'Insights and Opportunities for a Changing World: From Growers. For Growers.' Who knew when planning this event months in advance, just how appropriate that focus would be!"
Attendees came to hear from the ACT industry partners, and from experienced local growers who have been or are considering using new technology to help enhance their greenhouse operations, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. One grower, Ron Van Marrewyk (Westcoast Vegetables), during the 'Conversations in Cultivation: Real Solutions for Efficient Growing' fireside chat also stressed the importance of using new technology to help to build a better work-life balance for all the workforce. No one can argue with that.
The free educational program gave current and next generation BC growers the opportunity to learn of the latest research and technology applications. This year's program kicked off with a stimulating and sometimes fun 'State of the Industry' keynote address delivered by Greg Palmer, VP of Trade and Market Development at Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA). Then followed a tech forum exploring technical updates on 'Optimizing Vine Crop Production through Root Management, Lighting and Screening', and a fascinating and honest grower panel chat featuring Ron van Marrewyk and other renown BC growers Ruben Houweling (Houweling's), Terry Pastorek (Hollandia Greenhouses), and David Ryall (Star Produce). Attendees had opportunity to hear these growers' unique stories and experiences of new tech in today's greenhouse world. Or as one attendee said 'the future is not over there, it is already here and now'. A second tech forum explored the ever changing and much discussed issue of autonomous growing in 'Empowering the Grower: Unlocking the full potential of greenhouse data for predictive and sustainable cultivation". Its hard to keep up sometimes.
To add icing on top of the cake, this year's summit began with a complimentary lunch buffet and concluded with a networking happy hour, allowing growers and suppliers to do what they love to do – chat, catch up, and learn.
For more information:
ACT Group
https://actsummit.com/