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Microgro International Research Inc.

Microgro International Research Inc. MIR celebrated its official opening of Micro Grow Nurseries of Biggar with Economic Development Minister Dwain Lingenfelter and Agriculture Minister Darrel Cunningham presiding on February 15, 1995. The opening of the laboratory and greenhouse corresponded to celebrations for National Science and Technology week in October of 1995. Microgro was developed using micropropagation for the horticulture industry. Micropropagation is a type of cloning using tissue culture which can reproduce thousands of plants with the same characteristics of the mother plant. This provided the nursery and horticultural industry with breeding techniques for both ornamental and horticultural plants for export locally and internationally. MIR is owned by Ag-West Biotech Inc, Prairie Malt Ltd., the Biggar and District Venture Coporation and fifteen others in the province's horticultural industry.

The facility had an estimated cost of $1.5 million which was shared between Biggar Venture Capital Corporation, Ag-West Biotech Inc, the Saskatchewan horticultural industry, and lenders were the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Saskatchewan and the Biggar Credit Union. Microgro was a one-acre greenhouse which had its inception drafted by Dr. Wayne Craig, Senior Research Scientist with the Saskatchewan Research Council. According to a government study, 90 more acres of greenhouses would need to be constructed just to meet demand in Canada.

In 1997, MIR trademarked "Northern Vigor" with the Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association SSPGA for a potato developed for its yield and hardiness. Between 1995 and 2003, Saskatchewan seed potato production rose dramatically from below 40 000 tonnes in prior years to 60 000 in 1995 and over 180 000 tonnes in 2003. Hugh Skinner who was awarded the 2002 Prairie Garden Award for Excellence had worked for Micro Gro Nurseries.

"Microgro represents a key part of a promising future for the province's horticulture industry, advances in biotechnology and research, and growth in Saskatchewan's economy as a whole." said the Honourable Dwain Lingenfelter "There is tremendous potential to replace imports and to expand into U.S. markets," says Microgro's CEO Paul Fowler.

"Microgro represents a key part of a promising future for the province's horticulture industry, advances in biotechnology and research, and growth in Saskatchewan's economy as a whole." said the Honourable Dwain Lingenfelter "There is tremendous potential to replace imports and to expand into U.S. markets," says Microgro's CEO Paul Fowler.

In the spring of 1996, Sask Water advocates a potato industry and meets with Lake Diefenbaker Potato Corporation LDPC to grow potatoes in a crop sharing development. By the summer of 1996 there is potential for a Lamb Weston French Fry plant in the Lake Diefenbaker area, however the potatoes turned black when fried in hot oil SaskWater establishes SPUCO in the winter of 1996 and the Crown Investment Corporation CIC approves the inital production plans and agrees to expand the storage facilities. In 1997, Saskatchewan Opportunites Corporation SOCO makes arrangements for investments in potato sheds. Graham Dorn and Nestor Budney were involved with the start up of Microgro and had met with Saskatchewan Potato Utility Development Company, SPUDCO officials in the spring of 1998. Crown Investments Corporation Minister Berny Wiens met with Microgro officials at this time. A five year agreement was signed to supply see potatoes to SPUDCO. The Biggar greenhouse was expanded to meet the expected demand from SPUDCO and 200 were employed in the growing season. Both Microgro and SPUDCO would supply seed potatoes to Lake Diefenbaker Potato Corporation LDPC, and Microgro was also supplying stores such as Canadian Tire with seed potatoes and making a profit. During this time Lamb Weston decided to set up a French Fry plant in Alberta. In the fall of 1998 potato prices fall drastically, however contracts were signed until 2003. SPUDCO terminated any crop sharing with Microgro at the end of 1998 which Sask Water vice-president claimed would stop Microgro's dependence upon SPUDCO. In 1999 LDPC went bankrupt. In the spring of 1999 Microgro was ready to sell a fresh batch of seed potatoes for the new planting season, however payments from their creditors had not arrived. SOCO and banks requested payments from Microgro for loans extended to Microgro for their expansion. In 2000 SPUCO also goes bankrupt, all of SPUDCO is transferred from Sask Water to CIC, and the government establishes Saskatchewan Valley Potato Corporation SPVC. A 2004 Order of the Legislative Assembly was sent to Sask Water asking for accountability regarding the potato inventory produced by Microgro, and an accounting for the funds for CIC to construct a storage facility at Biggar, and if seed potatoes from Microgro resulted in revenue to SPUCO and if Microgro was paid for their stock. Microgro went bankrupt. In 2006 former SPUDCO investors put forward $50 million dollar plans for an ethanol plant which would make use of the waste potatoes. Micro Grow Nurseries of Biggar were acquired by Milner Greenhouses Ltd.

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