Recent Grads Help Grow Business for GoodLeaf Farms
Dalhousie University grad Ben Shulman is helping GoodLeaf Farms take its vertical farming to new heights.
The company produces local, ultra-fresh greens without using pesticides though the relatively new practice of growing indoors in stacked layers. The innovative method uses advanced engineering, horticulture and data analytics, making it a perfect place for the bright minds of recent grads.
That’s where Ben, an industrial engineering graduate, came in.
“For the first year, I was the engineering lead, primarily focused on designing the new farm in Ontario and supporting our farm in Bible Hill,” says Ben, “I have a range of responsibilities, but I focus on high-level process design, working with vendors, and managing our external engineers.”
Ben has recently been joined by Trevor Grandy, the Director of Engineering, who says he’s floored by Ben’s impact on the company.
“One of the things Ben did, is onboard me,” says Trevor. “The vertical farming industry is relatively new, so an engineer with the most up-to-date training and knowledge like Ben takes us outside the box.
“Ben came in, learned, and trialed by fire. Now, I would put his knowledge up against any other professional working in this field.”
Trevor believes newer grads are more willing to get outside their comfort zone and show what they can do.
“This is why you always want to have folks early in their careers on your team,” he says.
Hiring innovative young talent was easier through the province’s Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) program, which is supporting three recent grads at the company. GTO offers 25% of a grad’s first-year (35% if the grad is from a designated diversity group) and 12.5% of a grad’s second-year salary to small businesses, start-ups, social enterprises and non-profits.
“The economics of the GTO program are fantastic,” says Trevor. “To be able to bring someone in and have that amount of the salary subsidized, why not take advantage of that?
“There is the cultural impact of bringing in younger people with new ideas and energy, and then there is the practicality of succession planning and futureproofing your business by hiring the next generation.”
Devon Chisholm a recent St. Francis Xavier University grad, joined GoodLeaf as the sole Business Analyst, and Najja Gallion, a recent grad of the Dalhousie Agricultural program, works at the Bible Hill facility as an Assistant Grower.
“Freshly graduated people come with the most current education available in their field,” says Ben. “There is something to be said for experience, but current academic knowledge is a major asset. I know I have come here with tools in mind that no one else would have known about.”
“And young people bring a lot of value in terms of how they view the world,” adds Devon. “We have a long-term view because one day this will be our world to inherit.
“We are generally building sustainability into our lifestyles. Young people spark positive change in how business is run.”
The GTO program can help bring this type of value, energy and talent to a small business while helping to create opportunities for recent grads.
“This extra funding means creating jobs and making employee training possible,” says Trevor. “We believe in ourselves as a Nova Scotian business, so why wouldn’t we give folks from here, studying here or wanting to live here, a chance to stay? It is up to us as employers to create the opportunity.”
