Jacquie Trombley joined the Leamington, ON-based Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers in the capacity of marketer liaison officer, a newly established position. Trombley will be the primary liaison between licensed marketers and the OGVG board and management, the OVGV announced in a May press release.

The release stated that through this new position, the OGVG’s objective is to positively work with the marketer community with the intent of optimizing the market value for Ontario greenhouse vegetables and maximize returns for producers, while enhancing the overall consumer image of Ontario greenhouse vegetables and adhering to trade requirements.

Trombley graduated from St. Clair College’s advertising, marketing and communications management program in 1997. She has a diverse 18-year background in advertising, marketing, corporate communications and project management. She has worked with a large advertising agency, and has experience in financial and corporate marketing at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions in Toronto. She has also overseen a variety of marketing and advertising campaigns at a local marketing company.

Most recently, Trombley taught marketing at St. Clair College in Windsor, ON.

The OGVG is also celebrating its new website, www.OGVG.com, which was launched Jan. 14. The new site targets consumers and other potential users of Ontario greenhouse vegetables. Key features include a cleaner and more attractive design and enhanced search and navigation capabilities that provide a more engaging user experience.

The organization’s objective was to design a site that would be a definitive resource and guide for people seeking information about Ontario greenhouse vegetables. It provides a fresh and simple look with easy navigation to social media pages. And it features how to select produce, nutrition tips, storage of produce, consumer tips, print or download recipes, videos, contact information and optimization for mobile devices.

“We’re excited about our new website which targets consumers of our members’ best in class produce,” said George Gilvesy, general manager of the OGVG. “It is providing the public the information they are looking for to make Ontario greenhouse vegetable products top of mind when making their produce selections.”

Gilvesy added that support for the development of the new site came from the Province of Ontario through the Local Food Fund.

On Dec. 19, the Ontario government announced the new Greenhouse Nutrient Feedwater Regulation under the Nutrient Management Act. The development of the regulation is an example of the positive outcome that results when sector representatives and government ministries collaborate.

The process was facilitated through the Ontario Greenhouse Environmental Strategy task force. Its representatives are drawn from the greenhouse sector, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change.

The common goal was to develop and implement a streamlined solution that is protective of the environment and cost effective for the sector.

“On behalf of Ontario’s greenhouse sector, we thank Premier Wynne, Minister Leal and Minister Murray for their continued commitment to this kind of open, consultative process” said Jan VanderHout, chair of the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance, in a press release. “This process is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working together to improve and streamline regulations. The result will enable increased productivity and growth across the entire agri-food value chain.”

 The new regulation will help greenhouse growers better comply with environmental standards by reducing costs and uncertainty of approvals. It will promote reuse and facilitate the recycling of greenhouse nutrient feedwater while providing farmers with a new source of irrigation water and nutrients for their field crops.