2024 Grower Outlook: Renato Zardo of Great Lakes Growers
May 3, 2024 In our 2024 Grower Outlook series, we’re talking to greenhouse produce operations about their biggest challenges, achievements and plans for 2024. CEAg World recently interviewed Renato Zardo, Director of Growing at Great Lakes Growers, the Midwest’s premier hydroponic grower of lettuces and herbs.
Renato Zardo
CEAg World: Could you talk about the biggest achievements for Great Lakes Growers in 2023, and how you plan to build upon those this year?
Renato Zardo: We were more selective of our crops in 2023. We reduced our portfolio, so the focus on higher quality and profitability heightened. We also added a couple new technologies, so it was an interesting year. We measured those outcomes which took longer than expected—there was a lot of turning on, watching results, turning off, comparing results, turning on again—because every time you do that, you have a lot of outside influence.
Even though we’re [growing in] CEA, the outside weather plays a big role. And here in Ohio, you go from both extremes in a matter of six months. We have our numbers that measure efficiency for harvest. And it was very nice to see the trend was leading their growth. So, [the numbers] haven’t plateaued yet. That means we still can grow, as far as efficiency, for the greenhouse.
The greenhouse environment is tough because plants never take vacation, and plants don’t [care] if it’s a Saturday or a Sunday. So, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Otherwise, the crops stretch, bolt and you lose the crop.We have quality food that is ready to eat. So, we have very high standards of how we manage and handle crops.
CEAg World: As far as goals for 2024, I know you said you’re going full speed ahead. Could you talk about some of the specifics there?
Renato Zardo: I’m very excited to see how everything is coming together, from how we space the plants to the biostimulants, water treatments and plant enhancers we use. We’re going to expand in 2024. We’re going to add [a new greenhouse with] a young plant area, probably more finished growing area as well, and we’ll do it because we need it for our capacity. I’m excited about that as well.
CEAg World: Do you know how large those new areas will be, or is that still being decided?
Renato Zardo: The young plant area will probably be a third to a quarter of an acre, and the finished area will be one acre. The production space will be 260,000 square feet in total, including offices.
CEAg World: Are there any challenges that you foresee this year? How do you plan to deal with those?
Renato Zardo: Our main challenge is keeping production consistent in quality and speed, despite the season, which is difficult when you go from almost less than eight hours of sunlight to close to 16 here in Ohio.
But that’s part of growing. That’s why I’m glad for those challenges because that’s why I have a job. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be needed, [so] getting the crop through those weather changes is the grower’s job. We put ourselves to a higher standard last year. We must keep ourselves there for product quality and yield – we either have to improve or maintain, so that presents itself as a challenge.
CEAg World: Are there any new technologies or growing techniques that you’re hoping to implement this year?
Renato Zardo: We’re going to add more technology to our new greenhouse because once you’re building, it’s easier to add when you don’t have plants planted yet. Nobody likes to work on top of the plants, so as we build, we’re probably going to get one or two more technologies, I’d say.
CEAg World: What are you most excited about for 2024?
Renato Zardo: I cannot tell you [exact details]. There’s one change I did on the plug that really increased our yields, but I’d rather not say that publicly just because we have too many competitors that are popping up, and it took us a while to figure out.
CEAg World: Is there anything else that you’d like to add about plans for 2024?
Renato Zardo: AI is something I want to do on the expansion because once we’re financed. So, to add to our current greenhouse, you need one or two years to build data. And because our crop moves a lot, I’m not sure if I will see the return on investment right away.