Leamington-based Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) has been recognized with the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for Sustainability, an honour the organization says reflects the work of greenhouse producers across the Chatham-Kent region.
Chatham-Kent is home to one of Ontario’s largest greenhouse clusters, with vegetable farms in the area representing more than 550 acres of production. That footprint makes it the second-largest concentration of greenhouses in the province and places local growers at the forefront of controlled-environment agriculture and sustainability efforts.
“This award is really a reflection of the growers in Chatham-Kent and across Ontario,” said Richard Lee, executive director of OGVG. “Growers in this region have made significant investments in technology and sustainable practices, while continuing to support their local communities. Their leadership is helping shape the future of food production.”
Greenhouse producers in the region have increasingly adopted practices aimed at reducing environmental impact while maintaining year-round production of fresh vegetables. These include water recirculation systems, improvements in energy efficiency, and integrated pest management approaches designed to limit chemical use while maintaining crop health and productivity.
The organization says those advancements are not only environmental in scope, but also carry economic and social benefits locally, supporting employment and contributing to broader economic activity across both rural and urban parts of Chatham-Kent.
OGVG noted that much of the sector’s progress is driven by multi-generational farming families and agricultural entrepreneurs who continue to invest in innovation and long-term sustainability.
OGVG works with growers, researchers, government partners and industry stakeholders to support sustainable growth in the greenhouse sector while maintaining a steady supply of locally grown vegetables.
“This recognition belongs to our growers and to the Chatham-Kent community that supports them,” Lee said. “Their shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community is what makes achievements like this possible.”
OGVG expressed appreciation to the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce for the award and acknowledged the ongoing role of greenhouse growers in strengthening the region’s agricultural sector.
