Written by: Emily Floyd
Edited by: Alishba Khursheed
Designed by: Serena Sclippa
Published by: Andrew Jackson
We need farmers, as they play a huge part in our lives by planting, growing, and harvesting our food. But it isn’t just farmers ensuring we have food on our table. So, who else is?
A grower is a specialist who focuses on growing and planting crops, as well as monitoring their life cycle, the soil quality, watering, lighting, harvesting, and preparation. They may also be tasked with testing for diseases, grafting breeds, or cloning. This is to ensure that plants are getting the right amount of light, the soil is fertile, and the plants can grow healthily. Growers will often use technology to aid them in these tasks, such as a quantum meter. Quantum meters measure light using PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). If plants don’t get the right amount of light, it can hinder their growth.
Unlike farmers, growers prioritize the health and growth of their plants and crops, whereas a farmer’s attention is sometimes split between their own crops and often livestock.
Besides food, growers are beneficial to many different living things, but also to our Earth in general. Firstly, plants filter our air, taking the carbon dioxide we breathe out, and producing oxygen. This keeps our air clean and filtered. Secondly, plants provide a food source for lots of different animals, such as bears, rabbits, moose, and other living things, including humans. Lastly, nature is good for both our mental and physical health, as it has been proven to help with both depression and anxiety.
A grower can work in various environments, such as ones that are controlled like a greenhouse, or they may choose to work on a field. They don’t have to grow crops; they can choose to grow food or other plants like flowers, forage (animal fodder), cereal crops, and many more. It’s important that Canada, as a country, can grow its own food for many reasons. One being food security, as being able to grow and provide our own food means that everyone has access to fresh, healthy food. Finally, providing our own food helps combat climate change. When we get food from other countries, it has to be shipped by boat, truck, or airplane, which causes greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere, heating the Earth. By growing our own food, it doesn’t have to ship as far, therefore reducing greenhouse gases.
To conclude, having people who focus solely on growing plants and crops helps both Canada’s residents and the Earth. They focus solely on the growth of their own plants, often with the help of technology that monitors things like lighting and the soil quality, providing healthy, lush plants. Growers provide so many things and give to the Earth in many ways. So the next time you see a grower, be sure to thank them.
References
- 12 Careers in Agriculture to Explore (With Definition). (2024). Indeed Career Guide. https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/careers-in-agriculture
- Grower: What Is It? and How to Become One? (2025). ZipRecruiter. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Grower/What-Is-How-to-Become#:~:text=A%20grower%20is%20a%20large,%2C%20and%20ornamental%20plants%2Ftrees.
- T, R. (2020, June 10). green plants on white metal frame. Unsplash.com; Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/green-plants-on-white-metal-frame-yovhXPl8V1M
- ways. (2023, May 3). 3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health.
- Cultivating-Health; UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05
- Why growing our own food matters. (2022). Ofvga.org.
- https://www.ofvga.org/why-we-need-domestic-food-production
- Wild. (2024, February 12). Wild Interiors. Wild Interiors. https://www.wildinteriors.com/blog/get-to-know-your-plant-grower
Photo Reference
- Richard T. —Unsplash.com