2026 TunnelTalk Virtual Grower Meetings
Back for another year, come check out Perennia’s 2026 TunnelTalk Virtual Grower Meetings! This series aims to provide a recurring virtual space for producers of all shapes and sizes to come together and discuss all things protected agriculture. The main topic for discussion will vary month to month, with outside expertise on relevant topics, grower roundtables, shared experiences with techniques and technology, and group troubleshooting. This series of meetings is intended to be driven by grower feedback, and questions were organized and moderated by Perennia’s protected crop specialist, Talia Plaskett. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming dates and tunnel topics.
Every month from January to December 2026!
Tunnel Talk – Strategies for pest prevention in high tunnels ft Samantha Willden
November 16, 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Samantha’s talk will feature recent research in the ongoing attempt to build better IPM programs for aphid management in protected environment spinach production. She will cover work they have done surrounding threshold-based action with aphids, the efficacy of biological control agents against aphid populations, as well as examine the impacts of mulch, and ultraviolet radiation on our target pests. Her team has also collected interesting data on general pest trends in high tunnels, as well as the use of biocontrol and companion planting/habitat enhancement for use against spider mites and thrips.
Guest Speaker
Samantha Willden
Samantha is an Assistant Professor of Entomology at Cornell University with a research/extension appointment in Controlled Environment Agriculture/ She has a strong background in community ecology and biocontrol. Her current program investigates how abiotic and biotic factors shape insect communities in CEA to develop more pest-resilient cropping systems.
Tunnel Talk – Farm Focus: Review of New On-Farm Practices in 2026
December 14, 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
There are many interesting things happening in protected spaces across the province when it comes to new-to-you practices, technology and production methods. This session is intended to provide a platform for producers to share short reviews of something new that was implemented in the tunnel/greenhouse this year. The intention is to facilitate the spread of success, while simultaneously preventing repetitions of the bad and the ugly. A handful of growers have been selected to talk about something they tried on farm, however, there will be space for general sharing here as well if anyone wants to add to the discussion.