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“You know what I'm really pushing for is actually a plant graveyard, because I feel like it'd be nice to know how many plants I've killed over time, and I feel like that's a little bit of fun, too,” says Tom Van Wingerden, sales director at Van Wingerden Greenhouses, who joins Greenhouse Success Stories to share a refreshingly candid—and often humorous—look at the realities of running a multi-generational greenhouse operation in the Pacific Northwest.

From childhood “oasis plug fights” among eleven siblings to the challenges of losing major retail accounts and the necessity-driven innovation behind their custom fundraising software, Tom Van Wingerden reveals how loving plants (and people) is at the heart of greenhouse success. Tune in for actionable business insights, real-world stories, and the evolving blend of tradition and technology that helps this family farm thrive.

1. Diversify your customer base—don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Proactively seek new wholesale and retail partners to safeguard your greenhouse’s future.
2. Streamline your operations with tech—build or adopt software tools like Plant Buy to simplify fundraiser management and scale effortlessly.
3. Leverage fundraisers for growth—collaborate with local organizations to attract new customers, expand reach, and strengthen community ties.
4. Focus on what works—hone in on a select range of products and customers so you can control quality and master your market.
5. Connect with people—relationships drive success. Invest in trust, nurture partnerships, and make every interaction count.

"I think it has to start with a love for plants. I don't think anybody gets into this industry because they want to make money. It's more about loving to grow plants and loving to be around plants, and if they make money doing that, that's the lifestyle we're looking for."

"We're trying to help people be successful with their plants at home, no matter what plant it is. You can buy a monstera and bring it home, and we'll help you take care of it—you’re not in this alone."

"You really need to love both plants and people to be in this industry. Plants and people—you need to love them both to succeed."

Tom's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-van-wingerden/

Wingerden LinkedIn -

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“You can't run a business if you have to refund people for bad cucumbers,” says John Karwacki, founder of Inspired Go, who appears on Greenhouse Success Stories to reveal how fresh produce supply chains are truly the backbone of any food delivery operation—and why relentless focus on quality has driven Inspired Go’s explosive growth across North America.

From launching with office deliveries to pivoting during COVID and forging a deep partnership with Dominick DiMucci at Haven Greens, John Karwacki pulls back the curtain on the logistics and data that keep your salad fresh on day five, while Dominick DiMucci shares the real story behind controlled environment agriculture’s glossy image and the hard work it takes to build consistency customers crave. If you think greenhouse-to-buyer partnerships are simple or automated growing is a breeze, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew—and show what it really takes to deliver perfection from greenhouse to doorstep.

1. Don’t build a greenhouse and then search for a market—start relationships with buyers before you ever break ground.
2. Let quality drive your decisions. Obsess over your product, and put the plant’s needs first every single day.
3. Invest in the right people upfront—team strength and early collaboration fuel lasting success.
4. Make your operations customer-focused. Gather direct feedback, track retention, and adapt your offerings to what people actually crave.
5. Approach technology as a servant to the plant—not the master. Use automation and innovation only when it strengthens output and flavor.

Dominick's LinkedIn:

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“One of the things that we grow year round is actually celery. So I think we're going into the third or fourth year of growing celery nonstop year round. So a lot of people, you know, we kind of become known as the, you know, celery people at market,” says Andrew Phelps, co-owner of Phelps Farm in Guttenberg, Iowa, and this week’s featured grower on Greenhouse Success Stories.

After a career pivot from IT, Andrew Phelps and his wife Amy transformed her family’s farmland into a thriving, small-scale year-round vegetable operation—earning a reputation for consistency, niche innovation, and direct-to-consumer success. From overcoming devastating storms and infrastructure challenges to pioneering unique offerings like customizable CSA boxes and introducing farm-fresh beef, eggs, and honey, Andrew Phelps shares how strategic grants, tech tools, and a hands-on approach turned adversity into opportunity. Discover how this farmer’s market staple is setting a new standard for small growers aiming for year-round production and direct sales.

You want to build a thriving year-round farm business—take these actions to accelerate your greenhouse journey:

1. Start where you are—launch your farmers market booth or CSA with whatever you can grow now, and build from there. Progress and consistency beat waiting for perfect conditions.
2. Invest in robust infrastructure. Upgrade to stronger, automated high tunnels or greenhouses before extreme weather forces your hand—your crops and sanity will thank you.
3. Apply for grants and cost-share programs early and often. Tap into resources like USDA EQUIP to slash upfront costs and fuel your reinvestment cycle.
4. Prioritize education and mentorship relentlessly. Attend conferences, connect with extension specialists, and enroll in proven master classes—knowledge and support are your biggest growth multipliers.
5. Build a direct-to-customer sales strategy: Embrace CSAs, markets, and farm stores to control your margins, build your brand, and stay nimble as you scale.

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

“My goal is not to be the biggest. My goal is to be the best houseplant vendor here, especially here on the west coast in the North Pacific Northwest,” says Andrej Suske, owner of Cascade Tropicals, who joins Greenhouse Success Stories to share how relentless focus on quality, efficient systems, and deep-rooted passion for plants fuels his thriving business. From selling cut flowers on Berlin street corners at age ten to leading a cutting-edge, lean-driven greenhouse operation, Andrej Suske reveals a journey filled with hard-won lessons, innovations in forecasting and logistics, and insights on surviving both booms and market contractions. For anyone curious about what it really takes to build a standout horticulture business—and why a sense of ownership and love for growing are the keys to long-term success—this episode is not to be missed.

1. Know your customer and forecast demand relentlessly—success hinges on meeting needs at the right time with the right product.
2. Prioritize lean principles—train your team to eliminate waste and boost efficiency, so every hour and every square foot counts.
3. Obsess over top quality—if your plants aren’t best-in-class, level up or step out; average isn’t good enough.
4. Embrace mistakes as growth—screw up, learn fast, and adapt, but never repeat errors. Progress comes from curiosity and self-ownership.
5. Make ordering and fulfillment seamless—streamline your system until retailers think of you first, every single week.

Andre on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrej-suske-22060a201/

Cascade Tropicals LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cascade-tropicals/

Website - https://www.cascadetropicals.com/

Instagram -

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

“What that means is that when you grow successive spinach cycles, the root exudates are being released into the water that build up to a point where spinach's own root exodus become toxic to itself,” explains Jake Holley, manager of the Metro Ag Research Center in Denver and pioneering researcher in controlled environment agriculture.

On this episode of Greenhouse Success Stories, Jake brings rare insight into the world of hydroponics—from tackling spinach’s infamous autotoxicity to advancing water quality monitoring with cutting-edge ORP probes. Drawing from 15 years of hands-on experience across academia and industry, Jake reveals how product validation, public education, and innovative trials at Metro Ag are lighting the way for growers worldwide. Discover why this researcher’s practical wisdom and drive to make science accessible have him shaping the future of urban agriculture, one experiment at a time.

1. Grow your confidence—and your crops—by testing new products risk-free in R&D settings before you invest. Seek third-party validation for solutions and experiment boldly.
2. Build hands-on experience with hydroponics at any scale. Try growing lettuce or spinach at home—simple setups and DIY methods can feed your household year-round.
3. Collaborate and connect with local and global growers, educators, and innovators. Share your knowledge, tour facilities, and help raise awareness about CEA in your community.
4. Tackle tough crops head-on. Use strategic variety selection, light management, and germination techniques, like vernalization, to overcome the frustrations of growing spinach and other challenging plants.
5. Monitor and optimize your systems relentlessly. Integrate affordable new tech, like ORP probes, to predict issues and automate water quality management—stay ahead to boost yields and save time.

LinkedIn -

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“People often look at Manitoba as a place that they say it's too cold...there's no way you can grow year round in Manitoba...It's freezing, which is a fair point. And a lot of people think that, but that actually isn't true, and we've proven that now,” says Cormac Foster, VP of Engineering and Development at Vermillion Growers, who joins Greenhouse Success Stories to share how his team shattered the myth that year-round, large-scale greenhouse farming in one of Canada’s harshest climates is impossible.

From navigating daunting permitting obstacles and innovating solutions for extreme humidity and temperature swings, to pioneering new utility models and helping carve a path for future greenhouse engineers, Cormac Foster details the journey of building Manitoba’s first commercial vegetable greenhouse. Behind the fresh tomatoes now appearing in local stores lies a story of technical ingenuity, global collaboration, and a bold vision to turn the province into an ag-tech powerhouse. Want to know how they made it happen—and what’s next? Don’t miss this episode.

1. Challenge the “it’s too cold” myth—innovative greenhouses can thrive year-round even in extreme climates like Manitoba. Start exploring what’s possible in your region.
2. Build your dream team—seek out the best global experts, consultants, and growers to turn your greenhouse vision into reality. Don’t settle, connect and collaborate widely.
3. Prioritize humidity and climate control—extreme weather demands experimental thinking and robust systems. Test new solutions, monitor closely, and adapt rapidly.
4. Advocate for your industry—push for updated regulations, utility classes, and incentive programs that support greenhouse agriculture. Take the lead in driving policy changes.
5. Own your learning journey—expand your skills in biosystems engineering, project management, and communication to unlock new opportunities in controlled environment agriculture. Invest in yourself and share your expertise.

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

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“You cannot afford to make a mistake. It needs to be perfect the entire time because your whole yield figures, your business plan, your financing is based on this full production. So if halfway it fails and you have to restart, well, you’re in trouble,” says Olivier Paulus, owner and founder of Verteberry, who shares his journey transforming from engineer to strawberry innovator on Greenhouse Success Stories.

After pioneering one of Belgium’s earliest vertical farms and transitioning to Quebec, Olivier Paulus reveals the complexities of year-round berry production, the pivotal role of plant quality, and the razor-thin margin for error that defines modern greenhouse entrepreneurship. His hands-on, “biology first” approach, strategic partnerships, and candid insights into the challenges of R&D, scaling, and commercial viability make for an episode packed with actionable wisdom for anyone eyeing success in controlled-environment agriculture. Curious about the future of strawberries in snow and why lean, honest growing sets the foundation for breakthrough results? Don’t miss this episode.

Every greenhouse breakthrough starts with bold action—here’s what to do next:

1. You don’t need a farming background to succeed. Dive into research, ask questions, and let curiosity fuel your first grow—starting small is better than not starting at all.
2. Forget shortcuts. Quality crops always come first—focus relentlessly on plant health and let technology and profit strategies follow afterwards.
3. Scaling takes grit and real relationships. Reach out to industry leaders, invite feedback, and collaborate—connection and transparency accelerate your progress.
4. The market loves reliability. Build systems for consistent, repeatable results—use quick trials, learn from mistakes, and measure success by customer satisfaction.
5. Stay lean and honest. Get your hands dirty, keep costs tight, and regularly check your work—your plants will always tell you the truth, so listen and adapt.

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

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“You can’t suck and blow at the same time. We’re talking about keeping our elbows up by Canadian support. Canadian. And then you have these draconian policies being implemented at all levels of government,” says Richard lee, Executive Director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, who joins Trina Semenchuk on Greenhouse Success Stories to expose the mounting obstacles faced by greenhouse growers in Ontario.

With decades of experience blending entrepreneurial spirit and environmental advocacy, Richard shares how everything from waste management to property taxation threatens the Canadian greenhouse sector’s growth and sustainability—and why municipalities might be driving innovative producers out of the country. His first-hand accounts reveal both crisis and opportunity, making for a provocative conversation anyone interested in the future of food, farming, and Canadian innovation shouldn’t miss.

1. Collaboration makes solutions possible—reach out to local municipalities, associations, and stakeholders to advocate for greenhouse-friendly policies before you build or expand.
2. Waste is opportunity in disguise. Audit your greenhouse packaging and waste streams, and connect with innovative recyclers to pioneer sustainable, circular solutions.
3. Fight for unified, fair regulations. Lend your voice to push for harmonized recycling, infrastructure, and trade policies that empower—not restrict—growers.
4. Don’t wait for disaster—secure your business. Work with associations to advocate for payment protection, business risk programs, and fair access to trade markets now.
5. Build strong relationships with community leaders. Schedule ongoing meetings, invite them on greenhouse tours, and celebrate shared successes to strengthen support for your operation’s future.

LinkedIn: