Greenhouse Grower to Grower

Over the past couple years, Energy Resources Integration has led a research project with CALNEXT, a California electric emerging technology program, and technology supplier Microclimates. The Smart Controls for Data-Driven Indoor Agriculture Field Evaluation tests automated, integrated, and intelligent hardware and software in commercial greenhouses to uncover ways to save energy with lighting, HVAC, and irrigation control systems. In this episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, I caught up with Gretchen Schimelpfenig of Energy Resources Integration, and Neda Vaseghi, Co-founder and CEO of Microclimates, to talk about how the biggest benefits greenhouse growers will see from this research. Here’s our conversation. 

Chris Rocheleau is the General Manager of Foremost Company’s 20-acre Phoenix Foliage farm in Winter Garden, Florida. He has more than 20 years of experience in the horticulture industry, with a focus on high-quality production of foliage plants, consumer trends, and more. I recently caught up with Chris to talk about how the foliage and tropical plant market has evolved, the key trends driving the industry’s future, and more. Here’s our conversation. 

AmericanHort’s Plug and Cutting Conference is an every-other-year event that dives deep into young plant production, and is a must-attend gathering for anyone involved in this part of the supply chain. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Rachel Rawls and Alejandra Feliciano from AmericanHort, as well as Ivan Tchakarov and Juan Ponce of Metrolina Greenhouses, to talk about this year’s program and what attendees can expect to learn. And because the conference will be held in Philadelphia, we also talk about history. And cheesesteaks. Here’s our conversation. 

What better way to commemorate the 100th episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast than by checking in with our very first guest, Abe Van Wingerden of Metrolina Greenhouses? In this episode, Abe looks back at lessons learned from this past spring, how the company is expanding to keep up with consumer demand, and the key factors that will determine its success moving forward. Here’s our conversation.

One of the many panel discussions that took place at Cultivate last month revolved around the topic of succession planning. I was in attendance for that discussion, and it was honestly so compelling that I left the room with a long list of questions that remained unanswered. So I invited the panelists to join me on the podcast for a follow-up discussion. In this episode, I’m joined by Karin Walters of Walters Gardens, Keith Berns of Berns Garden Center and Landscaping, and Robert Saunders of Saunders Brothers. We talked about everything from how the business transition conversation should start, to how each of them are running the business different from previous generations. Here’s our conversation. 

Lionel van der Walt was announced as the new president and CEO of AmericanHort in early June, and Cultivate was his first chance to officially introduce himself to the industry. With Cultivate behind him, he’s now getting out into the field and talking to industry members. These travels included a recent visit to Greenhouse Grower’s main offices in Willoughby, OH, where I took the opportunity to sit down with Lionel in person to talk about his past experience, his short- and long-term goals for AmericanHort, and why he’s anxious to continue bringing the industry together with one unified voice. Here’s our conversation.

Earlier this week, The Plant Company announced expanded access to its leafjoy houseplants to independent garden centers through an agreement with Eason Horticultural Resources. That announcement was just the latest in a number of steps The Plant Company is taking to make it easier for consumers to find new varieties in this quickly growing category. In this episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, I talk to Dave Thorne, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at The Plant Company, about all of this, as well as why quality starts with the breeding process and evolves through investments in high-quality plant production. Here’s our conversation. 

It’s not just experienced growers, suppliers, and other industry members who attend events like Cultivate. This year a group of undergrad students from North Carolina State University made their way to Columbus, Ohio, for their first Cultivate experience. They walked the trade show floor, attended educational sessions, and made connections that will hopefully lead them to long careers in the industry. In this episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, I talk to two of these students – Alex Slepova and Symone McCoy – to get their perspectives. 

In this episode, Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks shows some of his initial takeaways and insights from AmericanHort’s Cultivate’26.

During Cultivate’26, Stephen Weichsel, Program Manager for Young Plants at Green Circle Growers in Oberlin, OH, will talk about how to leverage data-driven tools to measure and optimize plant performance, streamline operations, and boost profitability. He’ll also outline real-world, practical strategies for creating and applying actionable KPIs to drive efficiency in the greenhouse. I caught up with Stephen to learn more about why this should be a critical area of focus for the floriculture industry, and what you can expect to learn during his presentation. 

In this episode, Greenhouse Grower’s Brian Sparks and Marisa Reyes talk about highlights from Darwin Perennials Day, and what we’re most looking forward to at Cultivate’26. 

Jessie Jacobson grew up with an interest in horticulture, but when she became President and Owner of Tonkadale Greenhouse in Minnetonka, MN, in 2016, her passion for plants expanded into a passion for building a healthy team and cultivating a positive work environment. At Cultivate’26, Jessie will join a panel of her peers to talk about practical approaches to onboarding, internal communication, leadership alignment, and empowering staff to tell your brand story. In this conversation, I talk about all of this with Jessie, as well as her takeaways from the spring 2026 season, and her involvement in Midwest Women in Horticulture. 

Earlier this month, three long-time floriculture industry operations joined forces to launch WorryFree Plants, a portfolio of plants designed exclusively for independent garden centers. This new entity was formed to provide a bridge between world-class plant breeders and independent garden centers. In this episode, I talk to Mark Sellew, President of Prides Corner Farms, Ed Overdevest, President of Overdevest Nurseries, and Tom Demaline, President of Willoway Nurseries, about the benefits WorryFree Plants brings to growers, garden retailers, and consumers, and how plants for the program are selected. Here’s our conversation. 

Greenhouse Grower’s June 2026 issue, which is hitting mailboxes this week, features a cover story on the legacy and future of America in Bloom, how it’s helped communities across the country become both more beautiful and more sustainable, and how and why greenhouse growers can get involved in America in Bloom. I had a great conversation with Laura Kunkle, Executive Director of America in Bloom, Board President Mason Day, and Lori Kelly of Bob’s Market and Greenhouses in West Virginia, one of the growers who’s been involved with America in Bloom from the beginning. We covered so much in the conversation that I couldn’t include everything in my article, so we decided to turn the interview into a podcast episode so you can hear the entire conversation. 

For the team here at Greenhouse Grower, the month of May means the Top 100 Growers. Throughout this month, we’ll be featuring conversations with members of our 2026 Top 100 Growers list, which you can learn more about in our May issue. This week, I’m joined by Adam Kelley, Chief Information Officer at Metrolina Greenhouses. Adam’s background in both biology and supply chain logistics have played a key role in helping with process improvement and data analytics at Metrolina. I talked with Adam about how Metrolina approaches technology adoption, what the company learned during a recent ERP system upgrade, and his advice on how all growers, regardless of size, can approach technology and innovation. Here’s our conversation. 

Cultivate’26 takes place less than two months from now, and there’s always something new happening at this event. In this episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, I talk to Meagan Nace, Senior Manager of Education Program Development at AmericanHort, and Cindy Lee, AmericanHort’s Exhibit and Sponsorship Sales Manager, about new activities such as the Coach’s Corner and expanded Spanish language content, how to navigate a jam-packed trade show floor, and what happens with all of the plants on display once Cultivate comes to a close. Keep listening for all of this, plus helpful advice on how to make the most of your Cultivate experience. 

For the team here at Greenhouse Grower, the month of May means the Top 100 Growers. Throughout this month, we’ll be featuring conversations with members of our 2026 Top 100 Growers list, which you can learn more about in our May issue. This week, I’m joined by John Hardiman, CEO of Florida-based American Farms, an annuals and perennials grower that was recently acquired by the Hoffmann Family of Companies. One of the biggest keys to the success of American Farms is its focus on building and maintaining a positive company culture, which includes everything from promoting from within to accountability from the top down. I talked about all of this with John, as well as his advice on navigating the H-2A program, and how American Farms approaches investing in automation. Here’s our conversation. 

Last week, Dümmen Orange and Syngenta Flowers announced an agreement to establish a strategic joint venture that is designed to help them better serve growers around the world. Shortly after that announcement, I sat down for an exclusive conversation with Dümmen Orange CEO Ellen Mackenbach-Lakeman and Mark Schermer, Global Head of Syngenta Flowers, to learn more about this partnership, including how the process started, how each companies’ product portfolios will be enhanced, and what it means for grower customers from both companies, as well as the future of plant breeding. Here’s our conversation. 

or the team here at Greenhouse Grower, the month of May means the Top 100 Growers. Throughout this month, we’ll be featuring conversations with members of our 2026 Top 100 Growers list, which you can learn more about in our May issue. This week, I’m joined by Michael LaRusso and Lucas Ellis from Hampshire Farms, which won Greenhouse Grower’s 2025 Operation of the Year award. Michael is a section grower at Hampshire Farms, and Lucas is a sales coordinator who specializes in social media. In this episode, we talk about everything from new technology to new genetics to new ways to communicate with your customers. Here’s our conversation. 

For the team here at Greenhouse Grower, the month of May means the Top 100 Growers. Throughout this month, we’ll be featuring conversations with members of our 2026 Top 100 Growers list, which you can learn more about in our May issue. This week, I’m joined by Brian Lloyd, CEO of Olson’s Greenhouse Gardens, which is based in Utah but has greenhouse facilities in three other states. One of the keys to success at Olson’s has been its focus on the end consumer, and tracking how plant buyers shop for plants today, and the best platforms for communicating with them. Lloyd says every grower should have their customer’s best interests at heart, which means listening to their needs and helping them become successful gardeners. I talked with Brian about this, and a lot more. Here’s our conversation. 

For the team here at Greenhouse Grower, the month of May means the Top 100 Growers. Throughout this month, we’ll be featuring conversations with members of our 2026 Top 100 Growers list, which you can learn more about in our May issue. This week, I’m joined by Mike Joy of N. Casertano Greenhouses, a third-generation perennial greenhouse located in Connecticut. Inventory management is a big priority at N. Casertano, and in this episode, Mike talks about how the company is constantly analyzing data on sales, market trends, and forecasting, and using all available resources to make informed decisions that help it to more accurately plan for the future. As Mike notes in our discussion, everything goes back to improving profitability and labor efficiency at a time when margins are tighter than ever. Here’s our conversation. 

For the team here at Greenhouse Grower, May means the Top 100 Growers. Throughout this month, we’ll be featuring conversations with members of our 2026 Top 100 Growers list, which you can learn more about in our May issue. This week, I’m joined by Tom Van Wingerden of Van Wingerden Greenhouses in Washington state. Over the past couple years, Van Wingerden Greenhouses has taken on several new projects, including launching a new fundraising software platform and investing in a new garden center. Each of these ventures has given Van Wingerden Greenhouses the opportunity to better connect with the end consumer. Please enjoy my conversation with Tom Van Wingerden, where we discuss these topics and more. 

Last month the Greenhouse Grower team made our annual trip to the West Coast for the 2026 California Spring Trials. In this episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, Marisa Reyes and Allan Armitage talk about their favorite plants, trends, and overall takeaways. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

The floriculture industry never stops innovating, and that includes growers as well as industry suppliers. This episode is the first 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 Prospiant, Container Centralen, Syngenta Flowers, and UbiGro. 

We’re excited to bring in Dr. Allan Armitage, a long-time contributor to Greenhouse Grower and an accomplished author, speaker, and consultant for the green industry, as a regular guest on the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast. In this episode, Allan and I talk about his new book, what it takes to grab his attention at events like California Spring Trials, and more. Here’s our conversation. 

The floriculture industry never stops innovating, and that includes growers as well as industry suppliers. This episode is the first 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 Westbrook Greenhouse Systems, Jack’s Fertilizers, BioSafe Systems, and Jiffy. 

In this episode, Greenhouse Grower’s Brian Sparks and Kristin Zeit talk about the upcoming release of a Global CEAg World CEA census, and Brian catches up with the National Garden Bureau’s Diane Blazek about the 2026 California Spring Trials. 

In October of 2025, Blooma Farms, a wholesale plant grower in Colorado, purchased five acres of greenhouses previously owned by Welby Gardens, a family operation that had been forced to close earlier in the year. I recently caught up with Jeremy Friedman, owner of Blooma Farms, to talk more about what the acquisition means for Blooma Farms and its customers, how it has expanded the company’s liner offerings, and much more. Here’s our conversation. 

n this episode, Greenhouse Grower’s Brian Sparks and Marisa Reyes talk about highlights from MANTS 2026, purpose-driven plants, and what you can expect to find in Greenhouse Grower’s February 2026 issue. 

We’re excited to kick off our 2026 podcast season with a conversation with Dr. Charlie Hall, AmericanHort’s Chief Economist, Professor and Ellison Chair at Texas A&M University, and coordinator of the Executive Academy for Growth and Leadership program for horticultural business certification, otherwise known as EAGL. In this episode, we look back at how the green industry performed in 2025, and the economic factors that will impact 2026. Here’s our conversation. 

This week Metrolina Greenhouses and South Central Growers announced a strategic merger. The two companies have a long history of collaboration and shared values and business philosophies, and together, they will form a growth-focused organization designed to respond to evolving customer expectations and increasing industry complexity. While the news was breaking, I caught up with Abe VanWingerden, CEO of Metrolina Greenhouses, and Alex Van Der Hengst, CEO of South Central Growers, to learn more about why the two companies are coming together, the key attributes each company brings, and how they will be able to integrate all current employees into the new operation. Here’s our conversation. 

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association represents companies that are actively involved in the extraction and processing of peat. CSPMA members are committed to responsible peatland management and sustainability, ensuring their practices meet high environmental and industry standards. In this episode, I was joined by my colleague Marisa Reyes for a discussion with CSPMA President Asha Hingorani, Vice President of Science and Research Partnerships Stephanie Boudreau, and Communications Coordinator Charleen McCartney. We talked about the current peat situation in Canada, and how members strive for sustainable peatland management. We also dispel some common myths and misconceptions about peat. Here’s our conversation. 

During Cultivate’25, Greenhouse Grower presented its Head Grower of the Year award to Brad Meyer of Bachman’s, and its Operation of the Year award to Hampshire Farms in Illinois. In this episode of Greenhouse Grower to Grower, we go behind the scenes with Brad Mayer, and with Fred Wacker at Hampshire Farms, about building a team, working with consumers, and more. 

The International Plant Trialing Conference took place for the first time in several years this past month in Minneapolis. The event brought together plant trial managers from growing operations, universities, and botanical gardens, as well as plant breeders responsible for developing the varieties featured at trial gardens across the country. In this episode, I talk to Alicain Carlson of Syngenta Flowers, who was one of the main organizers of the conference along with the National Garden Bureau. Alicain shares her thoughts on how plant trials continue to evolve, her takeaways from the event, and much more. Here’s our conversation. 

Last month, AmericanHort held its Impact Washington Fly-In Summit, where over three days, more than 140 participants from 25 states met with lawmakers and their staffs to discuss their biggest priorities, including labor, the upcoming Farm Bill, horticulture research funding, and more. In this episode, I talk to two of the growers who attended the event: Alan Jones of Manor View Farm in Maryland, who’s been a long-time attendee of Impact Washington, and first-timer Jonathan Jasinski of Microplant Nurseries in Oregon. We discussed each of their immediate takeaways, the importance of meeting with lawmakers both on Capitol Hill and on your own farm, and why advocacy plays a critical role in the future of the floriculture industry. Here’s our conversation. 

Last week Proven Winners announced that its two growing businesses, Four Star Greenhouse and Pleasant View Gardens, would be combining to form one Proven Winners company. In this special episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, I caught up with Proven Winners CEO Mark Broxon, as well as Four Star Greenhouse owner Tom Smith and Pleasant View Gardens owner Henry Huntington, to learn more about how this arrangement came about, and what it means for each company involved, the grower and retail customers of Proven Winners, and the industry as a whole.  Here’s our conversation. 

Later this year, Jerry Baron will wrap up his tenure as executive director of the IR-4 Project, a USDA-funded program that facilities the EPA registration of crop protection products for specialty or minor crops. Jerry has been involved in specialty agriculture for many years, and I recently caught up with him to talk about his background in pest management at The Ohio State University, how IR-4’s mission has evolved over the years, and how he sees the crop protection industry continuing to innovate as it moves into the future. Here’s our conversation. 

In early September the Garden Media Group released its 2026 Garden Trends Report. The downloadable report is not just a closer look at what is up and coming in gardening, landscape design, and green living. It’s also the 25th anniversary of the Garden Media Group team’s forecasting what’s next in the garden world. In this episode, I’m joined by Marisa Reyes, Greenhouse Grower’s new Content Specialist. We chat with Garden Media Group president Katie Dubow about some of the themes in this year’s report, how everyone in the horticulture industry can turn these trends into action, and some of the hits, and misses, from past trends reports. Here’s our conversation. 

During Cultivate’25, Chris Cimaglio and Ken Lane of PivotPoint Business Solutions shared results from the second annual State of Succession and Exit Planning in the Horticulture Industry Survey. In this episode, I talk to Chris about key findings from the survey, why it also includes industry pulse questions covering everything from tariffs to labor, and actionable responses that business owners can take from the survey results. Here’s our conversation.    #GreenhouseGrower #Greenhouse #ControlledEnvironmentAgriculture #CEA #Horticulture #Floriculture #Hydroponics #VerticalFarming #LEDLighting #IPM #Biocontrols #ClimateControl #GreenhouseAutomation #AgPodcast

Claire Chambers is the founder of Meadow Lab, which develops plant products that accelerate the creation of biodiverse and high-performance landscapes. Meadow Lab is focused on the native plant space and has developed a wildflower sod that makes installing meadows faster, easier, and more scalable. I recently spoke with Claire about trends in the native plant category, and how growers can balance sustainability with production and economic challenges. Here’s our conversation. 

In early July, Joche Smith Jr. was named president of Costa Farms. Smith succeeds his father, Joche Smith Sr., and will oversee day-to-day operations across Costa’s domestic and international business units, and lead strategic initiatives that position the company for continued growth. I recently caught up with Joche to talk more about his background, consumer trends shaping the plant industry, and the biggest opportunities and challenges facing both Costa Farms and the floriculture market. Here’s our conversation. 

AmericanHort’s Impact Washington Fly-in Summit of the nation’s capitol, which takes place in mid-September, gives growers and other members of the floriculture industry a chance to connect with policymakers and advocate for their businesses, and for the industry. In this episode, I talk to Matt Mika, Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs at AmericanHort, about what Impact Washington attendees can expect, the important issues they will be discussing on Capitol Hill, and why telling your story is critical in helping to educate lawmakers about the present and future of horticulture. Here’s our conversation.