When it’s time to spray the greenhouse, that’s exactly what you’re going to do, right? For many growers, it’s like clockwork. But what if you take a different approach, a data-driven approach to see exactly how much crop protection your plants need, and what kind? Foremost, one of the largest importers and producers of young plants in the US, has seen that data registration not only shrinks an operation’s environmental footprint but also drastically improves efficiency, safety, and bottom-line profitability. Through the MPS platform, they record their use of inputs, and the data tells them where there’s room for improvement.
Foremost is a powerhouse in the supply of tropical plants, bromeliads, and foliage, managing hundreds of varieties and millions of cuttings that find their way to customers worldwide. While their production facilities in Central America – such as Vita Farms in Guatemala and Sapo Verde in Costa Rica – have been MPS-certified for years due to European export requirements, certification was not an automatic choice for their US domestic operations.
Retailers here do not yet demand MPS certification. Nevertheless, Chris Rocheleau, General Manager of Phoenix Foliage (a Foremost production site in Florida), decided to pivot and consciously hold the operation to a higher standard: “We are the third farm within the company to use the MPS platform. In Central America, it’s mandatory because they sell to the EU. Phoenix Foliage had tried it before and abandoned it, but I wanted to hold us to a higher standard. So I wanted to find a way to work together within the company and with MPS to make this change.”
Breaking the ‘autopilot’ habit: The shift to biological crop protection
Before implementing MPS data record-keeping, pest control at Phoenix Foliage, like many large-scale greenhouse operations, often followed established calendar-driven protocols. “We had protocols, grew crops, and sprayed as part of the growing process. That was the standard here, as it is for most growers in the US,” Rocheleau explains.
The MPS data platform provided a reality check. Issues suddenly became visible on paper, which immediately turned into opportunities for operational improvement. The greenhouse made a massive shift toward Integrated Pest Management, introducing weekly releases of beneficial insects, such as predatory mites. The results have been eye-opening, Rocheleau says.
“The whole process affected us internally. Like many large-scale growers, we had established routines that treated broader areas. Now, because we monitor closely, we know a specific thrip or aphid only goes on one specific crop, so we treat it bench by bench. We have five crops we still spray regularly, but well over 100 crops that we don’t have to spray at all anymore. It took weeks and months, but we’ve done it.”
This operational shift brought an immediate commercial advantage as well. By significantly cutting down on copper and synthetic chemical sprays, the young plants no longer carry chemical residues on their leaves. “As a grower, seeing the product without the residue on it… I see that change, and no doubt the growers, our customers, will also see that positive change. The increase in sales is a testament to that,” Rocheleau notes.
Improving efficiency in a high-inflation market
At Foremost, sustainability and smart business operations go hand in hand. Especially now, with input costs like fertilizer prices on the rise, keeping track of the data helps eliminate waste. For instance, lines used to be frequently flushed, causing a significant loss of fertilizers. By analyzing their MPS data, Phoenix Foliage transitioned to a more efficient standard mid-point range. Where the nursery started with six different fertilizer formulations, they have successfully streamlined that down to just two.
In addition, the team is looking at innovative cultural practices to prevent disease without relying on chemistry. High relative humidity (RH) at night often triggers fungal issues, which previously required preventative spraying. The team is now changing this method by actively evacuating and refreshing the greenhouse air during key points of the night, thanks to the insights provided by MPS-recorded data.
Looking ahead to 2027, a new layout and space planning method are on the agenda. By placing plants in more isolated zones, scouting times will be reduced, logistics will become more streamlined, and interventions can be even more targeted. Rocheleau views this as a process of continuous improvement: “Reduce as you can carefully, constantly testing yourself. Nothing remarkably different, just small steps towards stability. And keep reevaluating. We want to keep getting better.”
Culture change and workplace safety
Stepping away from the spray rig initially caused some anxiety on the greenhouse floor. Growers had to learn to trust that the beneficial insects would do their job – especially during the hot summer months when pest pressure in Florida peaks.
“There was concern it wouldn’t work, but we had a lot of conversations. Going through the summer without the sprays will be the real test; it’s a culture change. But so far, nothing is going off the rails, and our graders are not seeing a massive difference in plant quality.”
While plant quality remains excellent, what the graders do notice is their working environment. For Rocheleau, that human element is perhaps the most rewarding driver of this entire initiative: “As General Manager, I know that the people are grading a safer product. That way, we are also protecting their families; they are working in a safer greenhouse now. I care a lot about our employees. They make modest wages and work hard in tough conditions. When my kids come visit, I don’t want to have to wash my hands of chemicals all the time. As a manager, as a company, and as a parent, this simply feels more responsible.”
Raising the bar across the supply chain
Phoenix Foliage currently holds an MPS-C qualification. This is a logical starting point, considering the past year was entirely dedicated to implementing massive cultural and operational overhauls. However, the ambition is to climb the scoring ranks quickly.
Beyond its own operation, Foremost is looking at how responsible production standards can create broader impact across the US market. As more major retailers, grocery chains, and national plant buyers begin to recognize and require responsible production practices, growers that have already made this investment will be better positioned to lead.
“If MPS can work with retailers and grocery stores in the US to begin requiring stronger production standards, it sets us apart from other suppliers. Then we can also support a fairer pricing model, because our products are grown with more care, more sustainability, and they protect our people, our customers, and the end consumer.”
Foremost is taking a pioneering approach in this and are more than happy to support their own customers as well. “We already have our expertise, and if our customers want to make the step toward MPS, we can help them because we now know exactly how to do it.”
The competitive edge of a cleaner plant
From a business standpoint, the move to data record-keeping with MPS has also created a clear strategic advantage. Reducing chemical inputs provides Phoenix Foliage with a massive strategic advantage over standard growers in the region. Due to its subtropical climate, Florida faces heavy, invasive pest pressure, leading to an industry standard of heavy chemical applications. This can make out-of-state buyers hesitant to source from Florida.
Rocheleau explains that this issue runs deeper than just reluctance to buy: “If you buy products that have been heavily sprayed with synthetic chemistries, you are inheriting pest resistance and tolerance. Customers then have massive problems controlling those pests in their own greenhouses. But because we work with beneficials, our products are cleaner and there is no risk of developing resistance. It sets us completely apart from the average grower in Florida.”
The Foremost grower of the future
When asked about the “Foremost grower of the future,” the conclusion is clear: data moves a grower out of reactive mode and into proactive management. It empowers teams to actively control energy, labor, and inputs.
“The most important thing is to think of a plan and understand what your goals are. This data moves growers from reacting to challenges into actively managing the variables they can control, like gas and electrical usage. By measuring it, you can talk to your team, lay out changes, and move forward. You grow safer, more efficiently, and more cost-effectively. It’s a constant balancing act between those three balls, while delivering even better quality to your customers.”
