Greenhouse Grower to Grower

Ep.82 - Perspectives on Becoming a New Green Industry Business Owner, Featuring Amy Ryan

Earlier this year, Amy Ryan assumed ownership of Stonehouse Nursery, a Southwest Michigan-based wholesale grower of native and classic perennial liners. Amy’s roots at Stonehouse Nursery go back nearly 30 years when she first joined the summer potting crew. She earned her degree in Nursery and Greenhouse Production and Management from The Ohio State University, and after gaining additional industry experience, she returned to Stonehouse Nursery in 2016 as the nursery manager. In this conversation, I caught up with Amy Ryan to talk about how her background helped prepare her for this new role, how the transition process at Stonehouse Nursery took place, and why she’s excited about the future. Here’s our conversation. 

Ep.81 - Innovations in Plant Pathogen Testing, Featuring Lizzy Blossom and Ceragen

The March 2026 issue of Greenhouse Grower featured a closer look at how PCR and DNA sequencing are improving pathogen testing and identification in greenhouses. In this episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, we dig a bit deeper into how this type of technology is evolving, and how growers can best take advantage of it, from the perspective of two industry insiders. I’m joined by Aubry Field, Founder and Lead Scientist of Lizzy Blossom, and Matthew Rose, co-Founder and CEO of Ceragen. You’ll hear my conversation with Aubry Field first, followed by a discussion with Matthew Rose.

Ep.80 - Leaders in Floriculture Series Featuring AmericanHort

The floriculture industry never stops innovating, and that includes growers as well as industry suppliers. This episode is the fourth and final part of our Leaders in Floriculture podcast series, where we talk to experts in plant breeding, plant health, and greenhouse technology, about the important roles they play in innovation, sustainability, and helping to shape the future of floriculture. In this episode, I talk to AmericanHort President and CEO Ken Fisher, Vice President and Advocacy and Government Affairs Matt Mika, and Vice President of Marketing and Member Engagement Mary Beth Cowardin about AmericanHort’s vision for the future of the green industry, how it’s changing the ways it communicates with and educates its members, and how AmericanHort is helping to build the next generation of industry leaders. Here’s our conversation.

Ep.79 - Jazmin Albarran on What Seed Your Future Has in Store for 2026; Plus, a Live Check-in From California Spring Trials

Jazmin Albarran is the main voice behind Seed Your Future, which works to build connections between the horticulture industry and students of all ages. In between her many travels to visit with students and industry members, I caught up with Jazmin to talk about Seed Your Future’s biggest accomplishments in 2025, how students were able to connect personally with horticulture companies at industry events in early 2026, and the new “Powered By You” and “I Am Horticulture” programs designed to heighten the awareness of Seed Your Future and the many careers that can be found in horticulture. Check out our conversation, and right after that, keep listening for a live check-in from California Spring Trials with our own editor, Marisa Reyes. 

Ep.78 - Leaders in Floriculture Series, Part 3

The floriculture industry never stops innovating, and that includes growers as well as industry suppliers. This episode is the third part of our Leaders in Floriculture podcast series, where we talk to experts in plant breeding, plant health, and greenhouse technology, about the important roles they play in innovation, sustainability, and helping to shape the future of floriculture. In this episode, we talk to Sakata, Lambert Peat Moss, Proven Winners, Dramm Corp., and Sun Gro. 

Ep.77 - Eric Smith and Clayton Jones Discuss the Recent Acquisition of Smith Gardens

In late January of this year, our team at Greenhouse Grower broke the news that Smith Gardens, a Pacific Northwest-based fourth generation Top 100 growing operation, had been acquired by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, which just last year had also acquired N.G. Heimos Greenhouses in Illinois. The partnership expands Hoffmann’s rapidly growing agricultural assets into a new geographic region, and perhaps more importantly, it allows Smith Gardens to continue operating under its current leadership, while building for a strong future. I recently caught up with Eric Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Smith Gardens, and Clayton Jones, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Hoffmann Family of Companies, to learn more. Here’s our conversation. 

Ep.76 - Amanda Solliday on the Path to Sustainability in Horticulture

Amanda Solliday has become a go-to resource for sustainability in the green industry. She recently became Senior Program Manager for American Floral Endowment’s Sustainabloom project, and she also co-wrote a research paper on improving environmental practices in horticulture. Prior to that, she worked with a team to produce a series of industry guides that provide insights and practical strategies for implementing and understanding sustainable practices. And did I mention she’s also pursuing her Ph.D? I recently caught up with Amanda to talk about all of this, and more. Here’s our conversation. 

Ep.75 - Top 100 Survey, CAST Excitement, and Where the CEA Market Is Headed

In this episode, Greenhouse Grower’s Brian Sparks, Marisa Reyes, and Kristin Zeit talk about Greenhouse Grower’s Top 100 survey, how the CEA market continues to evolve, and why we’re exciting for California Spring Trials. Plus, some gangster talk.