History RCS Greenhouse Roy & Candice Kontzie

What a history we have had since 1980. In the early 1990's we were farming near Waskada, Manitoba, Canada. The farming industry was changing and the

smaller farmers either had to seek outside employment on top of farming or expand their farm operation. Back then obtaining more land wasn't an option.

So we started thinking outside the box. We were young and not afraid of new ventures. Lots of ideas were bounced around and we did a lot of research but the one we

landed on was greenhouse production with tomatoes.

We soon discovered that the greenhouse industry in the 1990's was a very tight group of people. In Manitoba nobody had a full tomato greenhouse which was

hydroponic drip system. We were really fortunate we connected with a gentleman in Ontario that was willing to take us on and help us through the process. He

opened doors for us that we could not have done on our open. We were invited to travel to Ontario into the greenhouse world and visit with owners and growers

on various crops. With the connection we had we learned more than any greenhouse book could tell you. We then travelled to Alberta and again was invited

into greenhouse operations to learn more knowledge.

The computer systems for greenhouses was still very new to the industry but that was the direction we were going to head into. It was mind blowing how things

in the greenhouse could be monitored. Back in the 1990's the internet system that was available was only dial up through the telephone companies. So extremely

slow! Now we have wifi and fibraoptics.

There were a few sides to establishing the business. We had the greenhouse production, greenhouse facility, marketing, staffing and financing.

Moving forward in 1995 we were ready for the big move. The big deposit was placed on the greenhouse structure coming from Ontario.

We had decided on one acre of greenhouses, all environmentally controlled, and full computer system for each area, weather station, shading curtain, propagation area, and packing and sorting area.

We are proud to say with the help of an older gentleman from Europe who was raised in greenhouses and mentored us we were able to out-produce other provinces during

that period of time. We grew from seed 13000 tomato plants in our propagation area. What a sight it was.

So thankful for all the individuals who came and helped us build and start the production in the greenhouse. There were alot of good memories and laughter.