Picture this.
It’s 3:14 AM. Rain lashes the roof like a thousand tiny hammers. The wind is howling. And in the middle of it all, the climate app that normally pings your phone with stats and alerts… has gone quiet.
This spring, the weather in Niagara has been downright unpredictable—power flickers, flooded back roads, and wind strong enough to rattle even the oldest barns. And if you run a greenhouse, you know better than anyone that when nature acts up, it’s not just the crops at risk. It’s your tech. And when your tech goes down, so does your control.
The Real Risk Isn’t Just the Storm Outside
Today’s greenhouses depend on fragile digital threads—CO₂ sensors, automated vents, mobile dashboards, and remote alerts. These tools are a gift on a calm day… and a potential point of failure when the power lines shake.
If your systems aren’t ready, here’s what can go wrong fast:
- Power Outages = No Visibility: If you can’t access your control dashboard, you’re flying blind during the most critical hours.
- Lost or Corrupted Data: Compliance logs, pesticide tracking, and crop records can vanish without a proper backup strategy.
- Sensor Silence: If network disruptions knock out environmental sensors, how will you know your vents or heating systems failed?
- Communication Gaps: Does your team know who to call and what to do if systems go dark?
Preparedness Isn’t Just About Flashlights and Generators
Most growers are ready with physical backups—diesel fuel, extra batteries, maybe even a gas heater in the shed. But few think about digital readiness with the same urgency.
Here's where real peace of mind starts:
Emergency IT Readiness Checklist for Greenhouse Operators
1. Off-Site Backups
Your crop and compliance data should be securely backed up outside your facility. If it’s only stored on one computer in the office, it’s vulnerable.
2. Printed Blackout Protocols
Have a one-pager that spells out what to do if systems go down. Include emergency contacts, manual override instructions, and access info for backup tools.
3. Test Your Alerts
Make sure your climate control system can still send mobile alerts during power outages—especially if it relies on Wi-Fi or local networks.
4. Generator + Internet Redundancy
Generators should cover more than the lights. Make sure your IT systems and internet connectivity are also on backup power.
5. Run a 15-Minute Scenario Drill
Once a quarter, walk your team through a “what if” storm scenario. You’ll discover gaps in your plan long before the next thunderstorm hits.
What Prepared Looks Like
When systems are truly storm-ready, you don’t panic when the wind howls. You know your backup kicked in. Your alerts are still working. Your data’s safe. And your team has a plan.
Prepared doesn’t just mean operational—it means calm. It means in control.
Is Your Greenhouse IT Weather-Ready?
If you’re not sure whether your systems would survive a serious storm or outage, we can help.
Book a FREE Greenhouse Emergency IT Assessment. We’ll walk through your current setup and highlight where you’re strong—and where there’s room to grow stronger. No pressure, no jargon—just real-world advice that fits how your operation runs.
Click here to schedule yours now: b4ag.ca. Because when the sky turns dark, you deserve to know your tech is standing strong.
