Key Takeaways
- Laura Martin, head grower at the Shackan Indian Band nursery in British Columbia, says labor—not technology—is the biggest challenge in greenhouse production.
- Martin stresses that growers should “always mentor somebody to be your person” to ensure continuity and prevent burnout.
- Remote location and niche focus on native species make recruitment difficult, pushing the nursery to consider training and internship models.
- A six-month, hands-on greenhouse learning program is being planned to attract students, First Nations community members, and future growers.
- The nursery is being rebuilt as part of broader community recovery efforts following past fire and flood events.
Grower's Role Extends Beyond Plants In Greenhouses
Speaking on the Greenhouse Success Stories podcast hosted by Trina Semenchuk on November 7, 2025, Laura Martin shared how three decades in the greenhouse sector have shown her that the work is demanding and often invisible. “Being a grower is incredibly hard work. You’re the first one in, the last one out, and when things go wrong… it all lands on you,” she said. Martin has led greenhouse operations in B.C. and Alberta and now oversees native species production for restoration and food sovereignty projects at the Shackan Indian Band nursery.
Labor Remains the Biggest Constraint Throughout The Greenhouse Industry
Despite having a 10,000 sq. ft. greenhouse in full production, Martin said finding qualified staff willing to relocate to a remote area has been “next to impossible,” noting she had job postings open for more than a year without a single fully qualified applicant. Because of that, she is training community members directly and combining hand watering with new irrigation automation to protect crop quality.
Building a Mentoring Pipeline
Martin said sustainable greenhouse management depends on succession. “My advice is to mentor somebody to be your person always,” she noted, adding that growers need someone capable of taking over so they can eventually take holidays or step back. She is working with local First Nations, WorkBC, and universities to create a six-month practical program that would expose trainees to seeding, propagation, biological controls, spacing, and overwintering—skills she says are not taught widely enough in current horticulture education.
Community-Driven Expansion
Beyond native species, the nursery is also adding market-garden and future hothouse vegetable capacity to support local food systems. Martin described the project as her “best success story” because community support made rapid rebuilding possible after earlier climate-related damage.
Supported by Harnois Industries
This episode is made possible with the support of Harnois Industries, a family-owned company with over 60 years of experience designing and installing professional greenhouse solutions. Harnois focuses on enhancing predictability, efficiency, and sustainability in agriculture through durable structures and advanced technology. Their range includes polyethylene greenhouses—TunnelPro Plus, Ovaltech, Luminosa—and the Canadian-made glass structure Vermax.
Discover more at serresharnois.com.
