Greenhouse Grower to Grower

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. 

Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks and CEAg World Content Lead Kristin Zeit were both at Cultivate’25 in Columbus, OH, this past week. In this episode, Brian and Kristin recorded a live conversation on the trade show floor, where they discussed impressions of Cultivate, common challenges and opportunities facing the greenhouse floriculture and controlled-environment agriculture markets, and other insights from their respective markets. Here’s the conversation! 

After a 10-year absence, the International Plant Trialing Conference is coming back. The event will be held in Minneapolis in mid-October and is organized by All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau. In this episode, I talk to Diane Blazek, Executive Director of All-America Selections, about why the time was right to bring back the conference, what attendees can expect to learn, and how the format of the event will offer enhanced networking opportunities for experienced trial managers as well as novices. Here’s our conversation.

Safety in the greenhouse, whether it’s safe handling of crop protection materials or preventing slips and falls, is an important but sometimes overlooked concept. During Cultivate’25, a group of growers will come together for a panel discussion on why adopting a safety-first mindset is essential to protecting employees and ensuring smooth, productive operations. In this episode, I talked to two of these growers – Katie Jent of Metrolina Greenhouses and Lyndsey Zinni of Millcreek Gardens – as well as Elizabeth Dunbar of BASF, who is moderating the panel, about best practices, lessons they’ve learned, and more. Here’s our conversation. 

Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks attended California Spring Trials for the first time this year. In this episode, he shares insights on some of his favorite new plants and series, how breeders continue to innovate, and more. 

Laura Barth is the research coordinator at American Floral Endowment (AFE), which has been monitoring the impacts of federal funding cuts on horticulture research. In this episode, I talk to Laura about the uncertainties being felt at many institutions, how American Floral Endowment can be a funding resource for research, how the AFE endowment works, and AFE’s upcoming Rise to Support fundraising campaign. Here’s our conversation. 

This is the 50th episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, and in recognition of that milestone, we want to share some of our favorite insights and perspectives from the conversations we’ve had since launching this podcast. 

This year’s Southern Garden Tour takes place June 3-5, and features plant trials at Young’s Plant Farm in Alabama, the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, and Metrolina Greenhouses’ North Carolina facilities. This past week, I had a great conversation with the trial managers at each location: Dr. Mark Yelanich, Director of R&D at Metrolina, Penny Merritt-Price, Product Development Manager at Young’s Plant Farm, and John Ruter, Director of the Trial Gardens at the University of Georgia. We talked about the trials process from beginning to end, what’s new for this year, and why these trials benefit both growers and plant consumers. Here’s our conversation. 

Earlier this month, we learned that the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a family-owned private equity firm, was acquiring N.G. Heimos Greenhouses, a family-run growing operation based in Illinois and one of the nation’s largest poinsettia growers. I caught up with Bernie Heimos, President of N.G. Heimos, and David Hoffmann, Founder and Chairman of HF Companies, to learn more about the purchase makes sense for both companies, and why it makes N.G. Heimos well-positioned for a bright future in the floriculture industry. Here’s our conversation. 

In this episode of Greenhouse Grower, you can learn more about California Spring Trials, Greenhouse Grower’s Top 100 program, and how to nominate a grower for our Medal of Excellence awards. Plus, get a recap of the 10th annual BioSolutions Conference. 

Ken Littrell grew up on a family farm, and since then he’s worked in and out of floriculture, including spending time with some of the industry’s leading growing operations. He specializes in leadership development, change management, and how to build a better team through transparency and communication. In my recent conversation with Ken, we talked about everything from how to keep your team motivated and mission-focused during the busy spring season, to how the best leaders lead by example. Here’s our conversation.

Jazmin Albarran is the Executive Director of Seed Your Future, an organization focused on educating young people about plants, as well as developing the next generation of industry leaders. I recently caught up with Jazmin to learn more about how Seed Your Future has evolved since its formation in 2014, and in particular in the last four years under her leadership, and what it is in the works for 2025. Here’s my conversation. 

The current chaos around the nation’s immigration policy is creating high levels of uncertainty for employees and employers alike. The green industry relies on immigrant labor to fill critical roles responsible for planting, growing, cultivating, harvesting, packaging, and shipping plant products to clients and customers alike. Many of the supporting inputs, tools, and services to the industry also rely on this labor force. With all the uncertainty, what should employers do? In this episode of Greenhouse Grower to Grower, we talk to Michael Maggiotto, Director of Human Resource Solutions at BEST Human Capital & Advisory Group, about how you can take care of your people first and your business second, as well as the questions you need to ask yourself when it comes to employee documentation. Here's our conversation. 

There’s probably no one more knowledgeable on the ins and outs of biological products and how they work in the greenhouse than Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, also known as The Buglady. Suzanne has offered her insights and advice at several industry conferences and workshops, and she’s also written articles for trade publications such as Greenhouse Grower. She provides hands-on training for growers as well as garden retailers, and she does it all through her business, Buglady Consulting, which she started 25 years ago. In my recent conversation with Suzanne, I was fortunate to learn even more, including how her obsession with insects began she was in middle school, why there’s still a lot the industry still needs to learn when it comes to biocontrols, and how failure can often lead to innovation. Here's our conversation. 

Jason Wenninger of Ebert’s Greenhouse in Ixonia, WI, was a finalist for Greenhouse Grower’s Head Grower of the Year award in 2024. When I reached out to Jason about being a guest on this podcast, I should not have been surprised when he asked if his whole growing team could be included. I learned quickly why he wanted this. During our conversation, it became clear that despite their different responsibilities in the greenhouse, they had two main goals: One, to work together as a cohesive team, and two, to take on any challenges that came their way, whether that’s adding a new variety or adapting their pest scouting program. Here’s my conversation with Jason and the growing team at Ebert’s Greenhouse. 

Dr. Allan Armitage is a familiar name to many in the greenhouse industry. He’s been a professor, trial manager, consultant, and so much more. He’s written several books that highlight his love of plants, he takes plant lovers on virtual garden tours on his Facebook page, and he’s been a Greenhouse Grower contributing editor, columnist, and advisor for more than 40 years. But he’s never been a podcast guest – until now. I recently sat down with Allan for an in-depth conversation about how he developed his passion for plants and gardening, how growers and retailers can better connect and learn from consumers, and more. Here’s our conversation, and your chance to get to know the man under the hat just a little better. Greenhousegrower.com

Hoffman Nursery is headed into 2025 with a few changes in leadership. Second-generation family member David Hoffman takes the reins as CEO of Hoffman Nursery, and he’s joined by Craig Reynolds, who was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. These leadership changes come at a pivotal time as Hoffman Nursery continues to strengthen its position as an industry leader, focusing on expanding its product offerings, embracing sustainable practices, and maintaining strong customer relationships. I caught up with David and Craig right before Christmas, when we talked about the transition, and what the company has planned for the coming year. Here’s our conversation. 

The Firefly bioluminescent petunia has captured attention both inside and outside the floriculture industry for its ability to bring natural illumination into homes and gardens. But where did it come from, how is it changing the game in plant genetics research, and perhaps most importantly, when and how will growers and consumers be able to find it? In this episode, I talk to the team at Rooted in Solutions, the exclusive licensed distributor of the plant in North America through a partnership with Light Bio. Rooted in Solutions is led by industry veterans Susie Raker and Casey Stanton of Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants in Michigan, along with Jim Devereux of Green Fuse Botanicals in California. 

Steve Costa, the president of Headstart Nursery in Gilroy, CA, is a proud graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. So proud, in fact, that he recently provided a sizable donation to support the restoration of the school’s Horticulture Greenhouse Complex and further its learn-by-doing approach to agricultural education. In this episode, I talk to Steve about the importance of fostering the next generation of growers, as well as how Headstart Nursery has become a leader in transplant production. Here’s our conversation.

Growers in the floriculture industry face many challenges when it comes to retaining key talent and building the next generation of industry leaders. The same holds true for both university Extension and the supplier community, two critical segments of the greenhouse market. In this episode of Greenhouse Grower to Grower, I talk to Melinda Knuth of North Carolina State University, and Brian Schulker of Jiffy Group, about a range of topics, including how researchers, manufacturers, and growers can all work together to navigate the barriers each of these market sectors are faced with, and what might happen if we don’t face these challenges head on. Here’s our conversation. 

The cover story of Greenhouse Grower’s November issue provides a closer look at Kind Earth Growers, a wholesale plant nursery in Ottsville, Pennsylvania, that offers more than 215 species of seed-grown native perennials and aquatic plants under 20,000 square feet of controlled-environment production. In this episode of Greenhouse Grower to Grower, you can hear my full conversation with Kind Earth owner John Mark Courtney and learn more about how his passion for native plants led to the launch of a new business that has become well known for its focus on quality and education about native plants.