Leamington Grower Summit

Resilience in a High-Demand World: Energy, Efficiency, and the Future of Greenhouse Growing.

March 31, 2026 | Leamington, Ontario

This year’s theme, Resilience in a High-Demand World: Energy, Efficiency, and the Future of Greenhouse Growing, puts the energy challenge front and center. With energy costs rising, demand increasing, and infrastructure under pressure, growers are being asked to produce more with less predictable and more expensive energy.

The summit features education-driven sessions led by industry experts, each focused on a key lever for reducing energy risk and improving resilience. Sessions will explore climate control and predictive energy strategies, screening approaches that reduce heat loss and stabilize greenhouse climate, lighting strategies that balance energy use with crop performance, and root-zone and irrigation practices that improve overall system efficiency.

Together, these sessions are designed to help growers understand how integrated energy strategies across climate, lighting, and crop management can reduce exposure to energy volatility while supporting consistent production.

Energy decisions now influence nearly every aspect of greenhouse production. From infrastructure and climate control to water management and root-zone strategies, growers are balancing multiple systems that must work together to support both efficiency and crop performance.

This panel brings together experienced growers to share how they are navigating these interconnected challenges. Through real examples and open discussion, panelists will explore how energy availability, operational decisions, and crop management strategies interact across the greenhouse.

ACT is excited to welcome Amy Kouniakis from Greenhouse Canada as our panel moderator.

Registration for the Leamington Grower Summit opens at 11:45AM, and we will serve lunch for all attendees until 12:45PM.

Presented by Amos Bassi, Philips LED Solutions

Signify is nearing the conclusion of the third year of a trial at Botany in the Netherlands in collaboration with Grodan; the trial is focused on reducing energy consumption by more than 40%. Amos Bassi, senior plant specialist for the Philips LED team at Signify, will highlight trial protocol and results from the first two years of the study, and share information on the progress of the trial's third year under higher light levels (350 µmol/m2/s) and with the addition of Philips LED Interlighting.

Presented by Paul Arena, Svensson

Energy use and climate management are closely linked in today’s greenhouses. This session shares practical strategies growers can use to improve efficiency while maintaining stable growing conditions.

We will look at double screening strategies through real-world case studies and payback examples, along with local rebate programs that help reduce upfront costs. The session will also connect air movement, energy use, and climate stability, including how vertical airflow supports efficient heating and cooling.

For growers using LEDs, we will cover ways to manage light, heat, and airflow together. For those considering LEDs, we will discuss how to prepare your greenhouse for a smooth transition.

The goal is to provide clear, actionable insights growers can apply when planning energy and climate decisions.

Presented by Timme Hovinga, Priva

Energy volatility, LED electrification, and peak demand charges are reshaping greenhouse profitability — especially in regions like Leamington. In this ACT Summit 2026 session, discover how aligning your crop plan with intelligent energy management protects radsum, safeguards contracts, and stabilizes margins. Learn how resilient growers are turning energy from a cost risk into a strategic competitive advantage.

Networking coffee break with refreshments.

Presented by Dan Skinner, Grodan

Pepper wilting has emerged as a complex challenge for Canadian growers. Through collaboration with research institutions and commercial scale trials, Grodan has completed investigative research and developed a framework to address the underlying drivers of disease. This presentation will explore current hygiene practices, root-zone dynamics and fungal pathogens.

Moderated by Amy Kouniakis, Greenhouse Canada

Energy challenges don’t exist in isolation. This panel brings together growers to discuss how energy availability, infrastructure, climate control, water management, and root-zone strategies come together in modern greenhouse operations. Panelists will share lessons learned and insights on managing complexity while maintaining strong crop performance and operational resilience.

Our panel speakers include:

Juan Lopez, Great Lakes Greenhouses
Andrew Heinen, Niagara Propagators
Kassius Da Rosa, Truly Green Farms

Join us Happy Hour at the Roma Club, with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks courtesy of the ACT Group. Unwind, connect with peers, and continue the day’s conversations.