Our New Year's resolution for the greenhouse industry in 2026

The new year arrives with an expectation of change. On the first day of January, gym memberships balloon, vices are pushed aside for healthier habits and people around the world resolve to be better. Of course, two weeks later, Quitter’s Day arrives.

Quitter’s Day is observed on the second Friday of January. It was first recognized by the people behind the fitness tracking app Strava who noticed that user-logged activity plummeted after the second week in January.

I get it. Trying to do better, perhaps to be better, can be a slog. When I quit drinking alcohol five years ago, every day felt like a fresh new challenge. But I learned very quickly that I couldn’t think about the future. I had to think about the present moment. In other words, it was less about making a bold resolution to give up booze and hope for a better future, and more about becoming resolute to make a better now.

There’s a difference there. The resolution marks the moment of deciding. But being resolute — determined, purposeful, unwavering — requires ongoing active participation in all the moments and decisions that come after.

I think sometimes we celebrate making a resolution but forget to be resolute. So, when we stumble, that ideal future looks further away and harder to reach.

But if we choose to be resolute, we can note the places where we might stumble even as we reach them. And if we stumble anyway? Well, our intentions are still in the moment. We can look at what made us stumble, recognize stumbles as part of our path and learn to avoid them in the future. In that way, we celebrate where we are and the determination we have, rather than lamenting our distance from an unrealized future.

Difficulties become opportunities for the resolute. And this month, we address the difficulty of the spring season and offer tools to help you turn it into an opportunity for your business. We offer insights into weather, logistics, greenhouse sanitation and preparation, and employee retention. And it’s my sincere hope the stories help you build your resolve to conquer the season.

This month, we also have a profile of Horticultural Industries Leadership Awards Class of 2025 winner Susie Raker, who has been resolute in pursuit of success in the horticultural industry. Our profile looks at the dogged determination and unwavering purpose she used to become an industry leader.

Whatever you want to do or whoever you want to be in 2026, I hope that you’ll join me in being resolute. Deciding to be better is one thing, but making that decision every day is where we become successful.

Patrick Alan Coleman

Editor | pcoleman@gie.net