Ag minister announces a $10M investment for the construction of a world-class greenhouse

Sep 24, 2014

Ontario is investing big bucks for the creation of a 3,700-squre-metre state-of-the-art greenhouse at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. The province is infusing $10 million towards the greenhouse that will make it the largest facility of its kind in Canada. Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was on hand to make the announcement.

The province says that the new complex will be more than twice the size of any other research facility in the country. The research facility will be a boost for the area, as it will focus on developing new technologies aimed at helping get more local food out to the market faster.

“The Ontario government is proud to support the new greenhouse facility at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre,” Minister Leal said in a release. “Investments in research and innovation are critical to growing our horticultural sector and will create jobs in the agri-food industry across Ontario.”

Some other research areas will include developing crops that are more adaptable to Ontario weather conditions and looking at making better horticultural production systems, such as automated pest-management systems. The technology centre will also consider gaining insights from consumers to support the development of new products, like different varieties of fruits, vegetables and wine.

Jim Brandle CEO of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre calls the new greenhouse a “significant opportunity for the horticulture industry,” adding that the facility will encourage collaboration with industry stakeholders.

The research complex will support the ongoing research already occurring at Vineland. There are plenty of recent successes, including the introduction of Pixie grapes, ornamental dwarf grape vine, and the sundown pear.

(Contributed photo: Minister Leal with the Vineland Board of Directors cutting the ribbon on the new greenhouse).

(Contributed photo: Minister Leal making the funding announcement about the new Vineland greenhouse).

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.