The Rural Voice, 2004-07, Page 47Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
I love plants. If you are a regular
reader of this column, you are
probably familiar with my gardening
exploits. Each year, I anxiously await
spring so I can dig the gardens, plant a
few more perennials and push those
pumpkin seeds into a mound of dirt.
Though I love watching my plants
grow, I'm really not very good at it.
My husband swears my success rate is
below 50 per cent, but I firmly believe
it to be higher. It doesn't really matter,
I enjoy the activity.
I am secretly envious of those
entrepreneurs who have created their
own home business, building a small
greenhouse in the backyard, and then
watching as the operation flourishes
and expands. They must be special
people indeed to tenderly nourish new
life each spring.
So, I went looking for tips on just
what is involved in starting a
greenhouse business.
Through the Canadian Business
Service Centre, bsa.cbsc.org/, budding
entrepreneurs can get step-by-step
instruction on the issues to be
considered when starting a greenhouse
operation or several other enterprises.
Instruction begins with basic start-
up decisions on options such as
franchising or home-based operations,
then helps with market research, the
preparation of a business plan,
choosing sole proprietorship or
partnership, financing, business
registration, tax considerations,
management and promotions.
One section deals exclusively with
on-line businesses and offers a link to
the Student Connect Program.
Business information is sorted by
province and the Ontario Zink takes
greenhouse searchers to the OMAF
site, www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/englis
h/crops/facts/greenbus.htm. The six-
page manual can be easily printed for
future reference and takes potential
AgriTech
Growing green on-line
operators through market identifi-
cation, location, capital requirements
and selection of product. Additional
resources are also provided.
Other information pertains to bed
and breakfasts, consulting, conven-
ience stores, restaurants, personal care
homes for seniors and farming.
For those already in the industry,
the very recently formed Ontario
Greenhouse Alliance (TOGA),
www.theontariogreenhouseallianc.co
m, is an organization focused on
dealing with collective issues of
concern to all greenhouse operators.
Officially created in June 2003 as
representatives for the vegetable,
pepper and flower growers'
associations in the province, the
alliance represents hundreds of
business owners in an industry that
provides thousands of jobs to
Ontarians.
The site provides updates on
current issues, links to other industry
websites, a floral Q&A page and
nutritional information on cucumbers
and tomatoes.
For more information on
greenhouse operations in Ontario,
check out www.hurontourism.on.ca,
www.niagaracanada.com or
www.leamington.ca, a region of the
province that is a hotbed for garden
crops and fresh produce.
At greenhouse.hort.port.com,
surfers can link into Greenhouse
Canada, a magazine produced in
Delhi. It offers lots of articles, buying
and selling opportunities, courses and
conferences and subscription
registration.
One aspect of the TOGA site that
looks like great fun for children would
probably be a good start for me.
In the virtual greenhouse, I can test
my tomato growing skills without the
cash outlay of more plants, the rabbits
won't nip the young shoots, the birds
and bugs can't feast on the ripening
flesh and I don't have to remember to
turn the sprinkler on (or off).
Happy growing this season.
Contact me at jlbecker@wightman.ca
or through The Rural Voice office,
with feedback or topic suggestions.0
How To Be In Eight Places At Once!
The Compact Radio
M1225
Very small compact size
4 or 20 channels
8 character Alphanumeric display on
20 channel model
X-pand technology
400 Huron St . Stratford. ON N5A 5T5
Office (519) 273-3300
Toll Free 1-800-565-9983
www.perthcomm com
MOTOROLA
Authorized Two -Way
Radio Dealer
JULY 2004 43