PRESENTATIONS TO GROWERS AT WORKSHOPS SPONSORED BY AGGA

Profile of the Greenhouse Industry in Alberta

Executive Summary

The present size of the Alberta greenhouse crops industry is estimated to be 300 acres, 13.05 million ft2, 121.4 ha, or 1.23 million m2. The gross revenue estimated is at $ 150 million per annum, while investment revenue is around $ 270 million. It employs over 1,500 full-time and over 3,000 part-time people. It is a growth rate of 10.5% when compared to the last survey done in 2001. The land associated with greenhouse farming was 4,748.03 acres or 1,922 ha. The data is based on 328 growers which included 153 growers who responded to a larger survey, 47 growers who responded by phone to the shorter survey, and 128 growers whose data was gathered through general business information and directories. This is the most comprehensive survey of the greenhouse industry in Alberta. Institutional facilities of approximately 3.56 acres are not included in the total area.

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS SPONSORED BY AGGA

RESEARCH TOPICS PRESENTED/ATTENDED AT SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS SPONSORED BY AGGA

by Toso Bozic, P.Ag Woodlot Specialist/Agriforester
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Phone: 780- 415-2681 Fax : 780- 422-6096

On my recent holiday trip to Eastern USA and Canada, stopping by many small towns and farms I noticed, that almost every farm or even smaller town house has several cords of stacked wood or in many other cases storages of woodchips or wood pallets ready to use for the winter. The ice storm that had hit the eastern parts of Canada in 1998 must have been a wake up call for many, as to regard the use of wood for their energy needs.