📺 Watch, Subscribe, Follow on YouTube & Spotify

Website - https://harnoisgreenhouse.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harnois.ghs/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

“You know what I'm really pushing for is actually a plant graveyard, because I feel like it'd be nice to know how many plants I've killed over time, and I feel like that's a little bit of fun, too,” says Tom Van Wingerden, sales director at Van Wingerden Greenhouses, who joins Greenhouse Success Stories to share a refreshingly candid—and often humorous—look at the realities of running a multi-generational greenhouse operation in the Pacific Northwest.

From childhood “oasis plug fights” among eleven siblings to the challenges of losing major retail accounts and the necessity-driven innovation behind their custom fundraising software, Tom Van Wingerden reveals how loving plants (and people) is at the heart of greenhouse success. Tune in for actionable business insights, real-world stories, and the evolving blend of tradition and technology that helps this family farm thrive.

1. Diversify your customer base—don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Proactively seek new wholesale and retail partners to safeguard your greenhouse’s future.
2. Streamline your operations with tech—build or adopt software tools like Plant Buy to simplify fundraiser management and scale effortlessly.
3. Leverage fundraisers for growth—collaborate with local organizations to attract new customers, expand reach, and strengthen community ties.
4. Focus on what works—hone in on a select range of products and customers so you can control quality and master your market.
5. Connect with people—relationships drive success. Invest in trust, nurture partnerships, and make every interaction count.

"I think it has to start with a love for plants. I don't think anybody gets into this industry because they want to make money. It's more about loving to grow plants and loving to be around plants, and if they make money doing that, that's the lifestyle we're looking for."

"We're trying to help people be successful with their plants at home, no matter what plant it is. You can buy a monstera and bring it home, and we'll help you take care of it—you’re not in this alone."

"You really need to love both plants and people to be in this industry. Plants and people—you need to love them both to succeed."

Tom's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-van-wingerden/

Wingerden LinkedIn -

📺 Watch, Subscribe, Follow on YouTube & Spotify

Website - https://harnoisgreenhouse.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harnois.ghs/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

“You can't run a business if you have to refund people for bad cucumbers,” says John Karwacki, founder of Inspired Go, who appears on Greenhouse Success Stories to reveal how fresh produce supply chains are truly the backbone of any food delivery operation—and why relentless focus on quality has driven Inspired Go’s explosive growth across North America.

From launching with office deliveries to pivoting during COVID and forging a deep partnership with Dominick DiMucci at Haven Greens, John Karwacki pulls back the curtain on the logistics and data that keep your salad fresh on day five, while Dominick DiMucci shares the real story behind controlled environment agriculture’s glossy image and the hard work it takes to build consistency customers crave. If you think greenhouse-to-buyer partnerships are simple or automated growing is a breeze, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew—and show what it really takes to deliver perfection from greenhouse to doorstep.

1. Don’t build a greenhouse and then search for a market—start relationships with buyers before you ever break ground.
2. Let quality drive your decisions. Obsess over your product, and put the plant’s needs first every single day.
3. Invest in the right people upfront—team strength and early collaboration fuel lasting success.
4. Make your operations customer-focused. Gather direct feedback, track retention, and adapt your offerings to what people actually crave.
5. Approach technology as a servant to the plant—not the master. Use automation and innovation only when it strengthens output and flavor.

Dominick's LinkedIn:

📺 Watch, Subscribe, Follow on YouTube & Spotify

Website - https://harnoisgreenhouse.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerresHarnoisGreenhouses

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harnois.ghs/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/serres-harnois-greenhouse/

“One of the things that we grow year round is actually celery. So I think we're going into the third or fourth year of growing celery nonstop year round. So a lot of people, you know, we kind of become known as the, you know, celery people at market,” says Andrew Phelps, co-owner of Phelps Farm in Guttenberg, Iowa, and this week’s featured grower on Greenhouse Success Stories.

After a career pivot from IT, Andrew Phelps and his wife Amy transformed her family’s farmland into a thriving, small-scale year-round vegetable operation—earning a reputation for consistency, niche innovation, and direct-to-consumer success. From overcoming devastating storms and infrastructure challenges to pioneering unique offerings like customizable CSA boxes and introducing farm-fresh beef, eggs, and honey, Andrew Phelps shares how strategic grants, tech tools, and a hands-on approach turned adversity into opportunity. Discover how this farmer’s market staple is setting a new standard for small growers aiming for year-round production and direct sales.

You want to build a thriving year-round farm business—take these actions to accelerate your greenhouse journey:

1. Start where you are—launch your farmers market booth or CSA with whatever you can grow now, and build from there. Progress and consistency beat waiting for perfect conditions.
2. Invest in robust infrastructure. Upgrade to stronger, automated high tunnels or greenhouses before extreme weather forces your hand—your crops and sanity will thank you.
3. Apply for grants and cost-share programs early and often. Tap into resources like USDA EQUIP to slash upfront costs and fuel your reinvestment cycle.
4. Prioritize education and mentorship relentlessly. Attend conferences, connect with extension specialists, and enroll in proven master classes—knowledge and support are your biggest growth multipliers.
5. Build a direct-to-customer sales strategy: Embrace CSAs, markets, and farm stores to control your margins, build your brand, and stay nimble as you scale.