Greg Devries with Chatham-Kent's Truly Green Farms says there is more innovation needed in the greenhouse sector.
"We only have so much land. We're not making any new land anymore," says Devries, speaking to BlackburnNews.com after being recognized with the Agriculture Innovator of the Year Award as part of Chatham-Kent's 69th Annual Rural Urban Dinner.
Devries says greenhouses need to continue to find better practices to meet demand.
"When we look at what we can do in the greenhouse environment, we can take that same area of land and produce upwards of ten times the amount you could in outside production," says Devries.
Truly Green Farms was recognized for its practice of taking CO2 waste from the GreenField ethanol plant and using it to improve yields up to 5%.
Other industry leaders have taken notice.
"We're aware of other projects that have come out and there's been some contact with others as to how our project came together," says Devries. "I think it's been a great learning experience."
Devries says the company is hoping to become one of the most environmentally friendly greenhouse operations in North America by eventually powering the greenhouse using the CO2 waste.
Chatham-Kent native Ron Anderson, who passed away in March, was awarded posthumously by the chamber’s Agriculture Committee as Agriculturist Of The Year.
BlackburnNews.com reporter Simon Crouch has also been recognized during the dinner with the Friend Of Agriculture Award.