Dave Harrison’s last feature makes total sense. As editor of Greenhouse Canada Magazine since February 1996, he returned to an operation that he’s visited many times:  Beverly Greenhouses. That’s where Jan VanderHout has been farming fulltime for 33 years. He and his brother Dale specialize in 20 acres of cucumbers, aided by two acres of propagation.

Harrison pointed out that VanderHout plays a key role in several organizations.  He’s currently chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association as well as The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance.  He’s a longtime director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.   

As Harrison reported, volunteerism comes easily to the Waterdown, Ontario grower.

“Our family has always been involved on associations working for the common good of the industry,” said VanderHout. “If all we do is sit back and wait to see what happens, we’re probably not going to be happy with the outcome. As individuals we really can’t do it alone. We have to work collectively, especially if we’re going to interact effectively with government.

“And that’s become a large part of what organizations are doing. We’re talking to government about a variety of issues, such as cap and trade, electricity rates, and about opportunities to improve the infrastructure in the areas that are supporting horticultural operations, to name only a few.”

True to his quote, VanderHout was in Montreal in late January for the sixth round of NAFTA talks along with other industry colleagues. 

To read the entire feature, click here.