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June 17, 2022
Leamington, ON – The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) would like to recognize the recently approved by-law for greenhouse supplemental lighting. OGVG and the Municipality of Leamington had been engaged in discussions for the past several months to ensure an effective revised by-law that addresses community concerns while also providing greenhouse farms with the ability to utilize new technologies to stay competitive in a global marketplace.
“We are proud to work closely with our community, OMAFRA and the municipality’s administration to get to the most-right outcome for everyone. A big thanks to Chief Administrative Officer Peter Neufeld, Mayor Hilda MacDonald, and town council for their continued communication and taking the time to get this right” said George Gilvesy, Chair of OGVG’s Board. “This kind of collaboration sets us on a path for greater prosperity and well-being across the community and the region as a whole”.
OGVG worked together with the Municipality of Leamington to revise and update the By-law, incorporating key amendments that best satisfies the needs of the community as well as those of the farms.
“Supplemental lighting is a necessary practice to support the continual growth and development of vegetable plants, which in turn allows OGVG membership to grow and provide access to fresh and nutritious produce on a year-round basis,” maintained Joe Sbrocchi, OGVG Executive Director & GM. “Our membership is committed to doing the right thing, growing safe and nutritious food, and ensuring a robust domestic food supply. It is collaborations such as exhibited in this instance, as well as others yet to come, that is key to our future collective prosperity. Furthermore, it maintains our global leadership in greenhouse growing, and continues to contribute to the province of Ontario’s bright future.”
For further information and media inquiries, please contact:
Joseph Sbrocchi, General Manager and Executive Director
Ontario Greenhouse Vegetables Growers
T 519-326-2604 |1-800-265-6926
Email: j.sbrocchi@ogvg.com
The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) represents more than 200 greenhouse vegetable farmers growing more than 3,600 acres of fresh tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. The greenhouse vegetable sector has grossed $1 Billion in farmgate sales in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and continue to develop and implement energy efficient and environmentally sustainable technologies that enables the sector to grow year-round. Employing nearly 20,000 Canadians and being a significant GDP contributor to our communities and the Province of Ontario, the greenhouse sector is poised for future growth and successes to ensure a strong and secure domestic food supply system.