Greenhouse Grower to Grower

Ep. 31 - Aren Phillips of Walters Gardens on Smart Greenhouse Technology Adoption

Aren Phillips is a Greenhouse Systems Manager at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, MI. He is a team leader on several projects at Walters Gardens, including sales forecasting, automation, data collection and analytics, and the potential of artificial intelligence. Aren was part of a panel discussion at Cultivate’24 on smart technology adoption, and he will also be presenting at the Great Lakes Expo in December on live labor tracking, streamlining ERP systems implementation, and more. I recently caught up with Aren to talk about these topics, and why he’s taken a strong interest in greenhouse technology. Here’s our conversation.

Ep. 30 - How Josh Smith of Kopke’s Greenhouse Brings a Tech-Sector Mindset to Horticulture

Josh Smith is Vice President of Kopke’s Greenhouse in Wisconsin. During Cultivate’24, Josh joined Tamara Bartlett of Bartlett Instruments for a discussion on bringing a tech-sector mindset to greenhouse production, and how to eliminate time-consuming tasks and develop SOPs for automating common greenhouse practices. In this episode, Josh talks about his background in technology, how he brings a forward-looking approach to team-building, process management, and strategic and tactical planning, and more. 

Ep. 29 - Trends, Takeaways, and Other Tales From Cultivate’24

Greenhouse Grower editors Brian Sparks and Julie Hullett were at Cultivate’24 in Columbus, OH, walking the tradeshow floor, attending education sessions, and connecting with friends across the floriculture industry. In this episode, Brian and Julie offer their top takeaways from one of the industry’s largest annual gatherings.

Ep. 28 - Denise Godfrey of Olive Hill Greenhouses on Sustainability in Floriculture

During Cultivate’24 last month, Denise Godfrey of Olive Hill Greenhouses in Fallbrook, CA, participated in a panel discussion on sustainability in floriculture. Denise brought the grower perspective, and she was joined by a group representing all sectors of the industry, including breeding, packaging, benchmarking, and university research. I caught up with Denise after Cultivate to talk more about how Olive Hill approaches sustainability, how they’ve been able to adjust their sustainability strategy in response to consumer needs, and what she learned from participating in the panel. 

Ep.27 - The Bright Future of Horticulture Education (Part Three)

Greenhouse Grower’s July cover story features a closer look at how university horticulture departments from across the country are attracting new blood to the industry while fostering career development. I had the chance to talk to six department heads about a wide range of topics, and we’re using this podcast as a way to offer extended versions of these conversations. In this episode, I talk to Dr. Desmond Layne, Head and Professor of the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, about some of the unique programs Auburn has place in place to engage both students and industry professionals, including working with culinary experts. 

Ep. 26 - The Bright Future of Horticulture Education (Part Two)

Greenhouse Grower’s July cover story features a closer look at how university horticulture departments from across the country are attracting new blood to the industry while fostering career development. I had the chance to talk to six department heads about a wide range of topics, and over the next few weeks this podcast will include extended versions of these conversations. In this episode, you’ll first hear from Dr. Justin Moss, Department Head and Professor at Oklahoma State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Following that, I talk to Dr. Neil Anderson, Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. 

Ep. 25 -A Look Back at the First Half of 2024, and a Preview of Cultivate

Greenhouse Grower editors Brian Sparks and Julie Hullett revisit the Spring of 2024 and look ahead to Cultivate, including what they’re most looking forward to at this annual horticulture industry gathering.

Ep. 24 - The Bright Future of Horticulture Education (Part One)

Greenhouse Grower’s July cover story will feature a closer look at how university horticulture departments from across the country are attracting new blood to the industry while fostering career development. I had the chance to talk to six department heads about a wide range of topics, and over the next few weeks this podcast will include extended versions of these conversations. In this episode, you’ll first hear from Dr. Doug Karcher, Professor and Chair of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. Following that, I talk to Dr. Ryan Contreras, Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University.