At Great Lakes Greenhouses (GLG), farming is more than tradition—it’s an evolving science. As the largest grower of hydroponic cucumbers in North America, GLG has always been at the forefront of innovation. But with growing demands for sustainable production and razor-thin margins in agriculture, the team knew that leveraging data could be the next big leap in transforming how greenhouses operate day-to-day.
Challenge:
Modern greenhouses generate massive amounts of data—from energy usage to crop health and operational logistics. Yet, making sense of this information in real-time and translating it into actionable insights remains a significant challenge, especially in an industry where timing and precision directly impact productivity and profits.
Solution:
GLG partnered with student researchers at the University of Windsor to create intuitive, real-time monitoring dashboards. By analyzing patterns in energy consumption, crop yield, and operational data, the teams developed tools that help growers quickly assess performance and make smarter, faster decisions on the ground.
Impact:
The dashboards not only improve operational transparency but also empower growers with immediate feedback for continuous improvement. This data-driven approach boosts efficiency, reduces waste, and ensures that GLG can continue leading the way in sustainable, high-tech agriculture—one cucumber at a time.
This project was made possible by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, through the Niagara College-led Greenhouse Technology Network.
Visit Agriculture at UWindsor’s website to learn more about its resources and capabilities.
(Project #UW0010)
