Promoting Innovation at Niagara College: Our New Research Greenhouse

This month, we hear from Scott Golem , Research Facilities Manager with the Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre.

Construction continues on the Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) state-of-the-art research greenhouse and plant growth facility located at Niagara College Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This cutting-edge facility marks a significant leap forward in the College’s mission to advance agricultural research and innovation, particularly within the greenhouse-grown crop industry.

The new greenhouse facility will greatly enhance HESIC’s research capabilities, allowing us to explore a wider range of crops and growing environments, including benchtop systems, nutrient film techniques, highwire setups, and vertical grow systems. These advancements, coupled with our horticulture and postharvest laboratories, will enable us to provide even more detailed and valuable feedback to businesses on the effectiveness of their innovations. Our commitment to a business-friendly intellectual property (IP) model, where all IP remains with the industry partner, combined with our cost-effective research rates—supported by government funding and student involvement—positions HESIC as a leading partner in the horticulture industry.

As we ramp up for the opening of the new?research greenhouse, we’re actively seeking technology, innovation and product validation and development projects. Have a project idea? We want to hear from you. Contact David DiPietro to set up a meeting!

What sets HESIC apart is our unique ability to de-risk industry innovations through comprehensive research, validation, and development services. While many commercial growers are hesitant to conduct research trials within their production spaces, or lack the scientific expertise on their team, we provide a dedicated environment where companies—particularly those without their own growing facilities—can work with our experts to evaluate new products, technologies, and innovations in horticulture. Our broad experience working with a range of industry partners, from established corporations like Plant Products, Koppert, and Walker Environmental Group, to emerging companies such as GrowDoc, 4Plant, International Zeolite, and Seaborn Organics, showcases our expertise in evaluating innovations across diverse sectors. We take pride in our flexibility and responsiveness, enabling us to quickly adapt to the changing needs of our industry partners without the delays often associated with lengthy approval processes.

“The new greenhouse facility will greatly enhance HESIC’s research capabilities. What sets HESIC apart is our unique ability to de-risk industry innovations through comprehensive research, validation, and development services. We provide a dedicated environment where companies can work with our experts to evaluate new products, technologies, and innovations in horticulture.” - Scott Golem, Research Facilities Manager, HESIC

Five Specialized Research Bays

The new research greenhouse is divided into five advanced research bays, each equipped with cutting-edge technology to replicate real-world commercial greenhouse environments. These bays are meticulously designed to meet the specific needs of various crops, with each featuring individually controlled irrigation, temperature, humidity, CO2 and spectrum-adjustable lighting to ensure optimal growing conditions. This precision control allows for detailed studies on how different environmental variables impact plant health and yield.

The research bays include:

1. Expanded Metal Mesh Benches: These benches provide a sturdy, elevated platform with excellent air circulation and drainage, making them ideal for crops like lettuce, microgreens, and herbs, as well as floriculture crops such as orchids and chrysanthemums. The enhanced airflow and drainage help prevent waterlogging and reduce the risk of root diseases, ensuring healthy, robust plant growth.
2. Ebb and Flood Tables: Utilizing a flood-and-drain method, these tables periodically immerse plants in a nutrient solution before draining it away, promoting efficient nutrient uptake and oxygenation. This system is particularly effective for crops like basil, kale, and cherry tomatoes, as well as various floriculture crops.
3. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Systems: NFT systems involve a continuous flow of nutrient-rich water over plant roots housed in channels, making them highly effective for crops such as lettuce, basil, and strawberries. The system maximizes growth and productivity by providing a constant nutrient supply and maintaining high oxygen levels at the roots.
4. Highwire Bay: Designed for vining crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, this bay supports vertical growth along wires or trellises, optimizing space utilization and improving light exposure and air circulation. This method not only enhances yield per square foot but also facilitates easier pest management.

Additionally, the facility includes an indoor vertical grow room dedicated to exploring vertical farming innovations. Vertical farming systems are renowned for their resource efficiency, maximizing space, and maintaining controlled environments for light, temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. This setup enables the year-round cultivation of crops such as leafy greens and strawberries, with benefits including higher water and nutrient use efficiency, reduced pesticide use, and minimized environmental impact. Vertical farms, often located in urban areas, also reduce transportation costs and carbon footprints by bringing production closer to consumers.

Our state-of-the-art horticulture and postharvest labs equip industry partners with advanced tools to validate and compare the impact of innovative products. We assess key quality attributes like colour, texture, size, shape, and ripeness—critical factors in determining a crop's freshness, visual appeal, and optimal harvest timing. Additionally, we employ advanced analytical techniques to evaluate the chemical and nutritional aspects of plants, such as sugar content, titratable acidity, and tissue components. This data is essential for growers to understand how new products and technologies affect final crop quality, ensuring that flowers, fruits, and vegetables not only meet but exceed quality standards, maintaining their integrity from harvest to consumer. This holistic evaluation empowers growers to adopt innovations confidently, knowing how they can enhance their ability to produce top-tier crops.

With the launch of our dedicated HESIC research greenhouse and laboratory in 2024, Niagara College is set to become a leader in horticultural research and innovation in Canada. This state-of-the-art facility will not only enhance our research capabilities but also play a crucial role in building the next generation of researchers through active student involvement. As we prepare to open this new facility, we invite industry partners, researchers, and students to engage with us and explore the exciting opportunities it offers. Together, we can push the boundaries of agricultural science and contribute to a more sustainable and productive future for greenhouse-grown crops. HESIC stands as an unparalleled partner in the horticulture industry, offering unique opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Do you have a project idea? Intake is ongoing and we’re here to chat!

Explore the HESIC website, or contact David DiPietro, Manager, Business Development, at [email protected].