WHAT IS THE GTN?

Rita Sterne, PhD (Mgmt)
Manager
Greenhouse Technology Network

Rita Sterne is the Project Manager for the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a Niagara College-led consortium of academic research institutions supporting the research needs of greenhouse and related technology businesses through applied projects. Rita is responsible for recruitment and outreach as well as day-to-day operations of the network.​

Rita has managed businesses and research labs and has applied her management knowledge as a business strategy consultant to small businesses and social enterprises. She earned her MBA and PhD (Mgmt) from the University of Guelph. She was introduced to the greenhouse industry as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2017 where she researched value creation opportunities from the adoption of robotics in Ontario’s vegetable greenhouses.

Jesse Hayes
Network Project Assistant
Greenhouse Technology Network

Jesse Hayes is the Network Project Assistant for the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a Niagara College-led consortium of academic research institutions supporting the research needs of greenhouse and related technology businesses through applied projects. Jesse supports both network teams, concentrating most of her time on the reporting and administrative responsibilities of GTN. She also supports the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) during reporting periods and at times, helps with onboarding of new network members.

Jesse has worked in the consulting industry for the past 10 years, managing small-scale projects, providing quality management administration, and compiling technical reports within the construction aggregate industry. A Niagara resident, Jesse holds an Honours BSc from Brock University, as well as a Business Administration diploma from McMaster University. She is thrilled to work with everyone within the team and excited to apply her knowledge of quality management to projects.

CONTACT US 

Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, Niagara College

Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario

With growing environmental and ecological pressures, Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre team works with private and public sector partners to develop innovative solutions to address today’s challenges in precision agriculture, GIS, computer programming, sustainable food production, plant growth, horticultural practices, greenhouse operations, aquaponics, environmental management and renewable energies.

Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF), University of Guelph

Guelph, Ontario

The Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF) and its Space and Advanced Life Support Agriculture program are an essential part of Canada’s contributions to plant research and development for space and closed environment related activities. The CESRF provides a complete research venue suitable for measurement of plant growth, gas exchange, volatile organic compound (VOC) evolution, and nutrient remediation in a precisely controlled environment. The facility is comprised of 24 sealed environment chambers including 14 variable pressure plant growth hypobaric chambers capable of sustaining a vacuum. CESRF’s personnel have extensive experience in the fields of plant physiology, environment analysis and sensor technology. ​

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

Vineland, Ontario

The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is a uniquely Canadian results-oriented organization dedicated to horticulture science and innovation and to improving the economic viability, sustainability and competitiveness of horticulture in Canada. Vineland delivers innovative products, solutions and services through an integrated and collaborative cross-country network to advance Canada’s research and commercialization agenda.