001: What a Broken Irrigation Valve Taught Luis-Gabriel Forero About Preventing Costly Greenhouse Mistakes

Greenhouse Success Stories

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Welcome to the very first episode of Greenhouse Success Stories! In this premiere, hosts Trina Semenchek sits down with Gabriel Forero, Head Grower at Sunterra Greenhouse in Alberta. Gabriel shares his fascinating 18-year journey from the flower industry in Colombia to large-scale field crops and eventually to greenhouses in Canada. He speaks candidly about the ups and downs of working in both food and cannabis cultivation, the importance of adaptability, and why growing both plants and people is at the heart of his passion.

You’ll hear Gabriel’s perspective on the challenges and realities growers face—like juggling high-tech systems with hands-on experience, the importance of strong teamwork, and the never-ending need to stay alert in a fast-paced agricultural environment. This episode offers invaluable insights into the human side of greenhouse management, highlighting not just technical know-how, but also the role that leadership and mentorship play in building successful teams.

Whether you’re an experienced grower, new to the industry, or simply curious about what it takes to run a thriving greenhouse, you’ll find plenty of practical wisdom and inspiration in this conversation. Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

00:00 From Tractors to Greenhouses

06:10 Passion for Food and Cannabis

09:53 Adapting and Improvising in Greenhouses

13:29 Striving for Excellence, Not Perfection

16:55 Mindful Data Collection Matters

18:34 Clear Communication in Agriculture

22:29 Consultants vs. Plant Scientists

25:59 Keep It Simple, Trust Manual Data

29:53 Plant Growth and Weather Forecast

31:18 Plant Care's Changing Triangle

33:43 Emphasizing Education in Horticulture

39:04 Training and Growth Process

40:32 Canada's Foreign Worker Program

46:13 Greenhouse Cable Breakdown Fix

49:15 Leadership in the Greenhouse

50:11 Family Distance and Stress Management

Memorable Quotes

“I always say, besides growing the crops, I like to grow people. I think I did well with my team—they’re now thriving here in Canada, in Europe, and the US. That’s what I keep from my time with cannabis: not only the plants, but the good connections and the growth of people.”

“When you train someone, you need to show them the whys. It’s not just about checking a box or putting a number on a piece of paper. If you understand why each step matters, you catch problems before they happen and build a stronger team.”

“In a greenhouse, the moment you get comfortable, something happens to shake things up. You need to train people to adapt, improvise, and always keep moving. Nothing stops—everything needs to continue, and that’s what makes this work so engaging.”

Connect With Luis-Gabriel

Luis-Gabriel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-gabriel-forero-4b434541/

Connect with Sunterra

Website: https://www.sunterragreenhouse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sunterragreenhouse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunterra-greenhouse/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunterragreenhouse/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunterragreenhouse/

Resources Mentioned

Philips (horticultural lighting): https://www.philips.com/agriculture

Bayer (crop science): https://www.bayer.com/en/crop-science

Connect With Us

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