Rhyzone Podcast

In this episode, host William Klaassen digs into the world of autonomous equipment with Charlie Anderson, CEO of Burro. From humble beginnings in an unheated barn to deploying over 500 autonomous systems globally, Charlie shares how his childhood on a working farm—and a serious distaste for hopping off tractors to weed—sparked a mission to automate labor-intensive tasks in agriculture. Charlie unpacks the hard truths about innovation in agriculture: the challenges of scaling autonomy in heterogeneous environments, why big manufacturers are slow to adapt, and how Burro is building a platform for safe, smart mobility near people—indoors and out. Whether you're in tech, horticulture, or just love seeing robots make life easier, this episode offers both grounded insight and forward-looking vision on the future of work in agriculture. “A great robot is really boring—it just does the thing.” – Charlie Anderson Charlie Anderson shares his remarkable journey—from growing up on a Pennsylvania fruit and vegetable farm to working at Case New Holland and ultimately founding Burro. He explains why specialty crops are the most promising entry point for automation—not because they’re the largest markets, but because they carry the heaviest labor demands. Charlie describes how Burro quite literally started building autonomy from the ground up, testing small vehicles in tough real-world environments, and learning how to handle obstacles, regulations, and even standoffs with curious border collies. They explore how Burro has evolved from simple towing carts to a robust product lineup that includes spraying, mowing, and patrolling, all while staying true to a “platform, not vertical” vision—allowing growers and partners to layer their own innovations on top. The conversation highlights creative ways growers are adapting Burro for everything from security to logistics, showing the flexibility of a system designed to scale across diverse operations. Looking ahead, Charlie offers insights into how generative AI is reshaping the autonomy landscape, why the best robots are the most “boring” (in a good way), and what’s next for Burro as they prepare for massive growth. Charlie’s book recommendation: The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail by Clayton Christensen 🚜 Learn more about Burro: www.burro.ai

In this engaging episode, William sits down with Adam van Wingerden from Silver Fern to unpack the unique challenges and opportunities in the horticulture software space. From the friction of change management to the power of community in greenhouse tech, this episode is full of honest insights and industry wisdom. Together, they explore: Key Takeaways Collaboration is the secret sauce:Change is hard—but worth it:Shared ethos = Shared success: If you’ve ever struggled with software that promised the world but delivered frustration, this episode is for you. Adam and William pull back the curtain on why tech adoption is tough in horticulture—and how collaboration, not complexity, is the key to real growth. Follow on LinkedIn: Adam van Wingerden | Silver Fern William Klaassen | Aster Software https://youtu.be/px6gdKCvikU

In this captivating episode, William Klaassen sits down with Angelo Petitti, a luminary in the horticulture industry with over 50 years of experience. Angelo shares insights on building trust-first leadership, fostering a community-focused business culture, and adapting to industry challenges through vertical integration and innovation. His passion for giving back and empowering others shines through, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and leaders alike. This conversation dives into the heart of what makes a business thrive: culture, innovation, and treating people with respect and care. Key Topics Discussed: From Humble Beginnings to Industry LeaderBuilding a Strong Company CultureThe Power of Vertical IntegrationCommitment to CommunityChallenges in the Horticulture IndustryConsolidation and SuccessionLessons in Leadership Notable Quotes: "Treat people as you would treat yourself. If it was you, how would you solve the problem?""Making a profit is fun. It allows you to invest in your people, your facilities, and your community.""The greatest gift you can give your kids is teaching them how to work." About Angelo: Angelo Petitti, the son of a farmer and nephew of an avid gardener, immigrated to the United States in 1963 at the age of 16 from Faeto, a small mountain village with a population of 600 in southeast Italy. For 3 years, he worked at Pick-n-Pay Supermarket, and as a busboy at a local restaurant, to support himself while attending Kent State University night classes to pursue political science. Angelo also leveraged his innate sense of the land to do part-time landscaping and eventually, his interest in horticulture became his full-time passion. In 1966, Angelo started Petitti Landscape Company. His brother, Domenico, joined him and they bought an oversized garage in 1969 in Oakwood Village to store their trucks, landscape equipment and plant material. Soon, passersby began to visit, inquiring about the plants inspiring Angelo to open the first Petitti Garden Center on site of the old garage on April 15, 1971. Today, Angelo Petitti owns nine garden centers in Lake Country, Ohio, plus a 10th store opening Spring 2025. Angelo has invested in over 4,000 acres of nursery land where over 3 million trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses are grown and cultivated, serving landscapers and wholesale plant customers region wide. With over 45 years of experience as a garden center owner, and 28 years as a grower, Angelo Petitti has gained valuable plant knowledge, which he loves to share through the media. Thousands of gardening enthusiasts tune in each week to Gardening with Angelo, Saturdays on WTAM 1100, where Angelo answers callers’ gardening questions. Each week on News Channel 5, Angelo and meteorologist Mark Johnson tackle timely gardening issues for viewers. Resources Mentioned: Gardening with Angelo petittigardencenter.com Connect with Us: GuestLinked InPetitti Garden CentersHostLinkedInAster SoftwareRhyzone, the Horticulture Leaders Podcast

Drones, Data, and Dreams: Precision Horticulture Takes Flight - Episode 26 In this episode of the Rhyzone Podcast, host William Klaassen speaks with Kate Dodde from Dutchman Tree Farm about the intersection of agriculture and technology. Kate shares her experiences managing inventory and data at the tree farm, utilizing drones for photogrammetry, and organizing the farm's drone program. They discuss the evolution of using drones for inventory management—from early photogrammetry efforts to emerging LiDAR technologies. Kate explains how drones help with accurate tree counts, height measurements, and even how they navigate the challenge of integrating different data types from various departments. Kate and William also dive into the future potential of AI and machine learning in farming, with dreams of ultimate precision agriculture where drones and sensors identify issues and solutions in real-time. Kate provides a firsthand look at the everyday challenges faced in adopting and integrating new technology on the farm and highlights the importance of staying adaptable. Key Topics Covered: Inventory Management Challenges:Using Drones for Inventory:Emerging Technologies:The Human Element in Technology Integration:The Future of Farming Tech: If you're fascinated by how traditional farming is evolving with cutting-edge technology, this episode is for you. Kate's insights provide a unique glimpse into the realities of agricultural tech adoption—from flying drones over Christmas trees to her hopes for AI-enabled farming. Whether you’re into drones, agriculture, or just curious about how AI is transforming industries, this conversation brings together innovation and practicality in a very down-to-earth way. "Technology forced us to face our messy data and start organizing it better, bringing everything together." - Kate Dodde Links & Resources: LinkedInLinkedInWebsiteWebsiteWebsiteLinkedIn

Looking to strengthen your relationships with your customers? Need to run your garden center and horticulture business more efficiently? Struggling to find strategies to keep up with today’s competitive market? You’ll find answers here! This episode features an in-depth conversation with Mikel Lindsaar, CEO and Founder of StoreConnect, a software company based in Sydney, Australia. Mikel helps small businesses grow big. He is an expert in software, and the mastermind behind many of the software used today. To date, his software has received more than a billion downloads. Mikel also specializes in customer commerce and business growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Customer Commerce Episode Links: StoreConnect: https://getstoreconnect.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storeconnect Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoreConnectHQ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngKdP2x8l1wcbAKW3tvU8g X: https://twitter.com/storeconnecthq Key Words: Salesforce StoreConnect iQ Grower ERP eCommerce customer experience customer relationship management automation data garden centers horticulture business

A small change in efficiency in the horticulture world leads to a big impact on the bottom line. Moss Robotics is tackling one of the most common troubles nurseries of all sizes face, inventory. With a good dose of tenacity and a strong vision, Di and Shrijit are ready to make big changes to horticulture, you can count on it. “Our goal is to give growers more accurate data to make better decisions” -Di Hu Di Hu, CEO of moss robotics, is on a mission to reduce the labor-intensive aspects of farming and revolutionize the way growers make decisions. By providing data-driven insights from the field, she helps growers minimize guesswork and make more informed choices. Before founding moss, Di studied at Occidental College and Caltech, and earned a master’s degree in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. Her dream is to one day have a garden robot that will grow her daily vegetables. Shrijit Singh, CTO of moss robotics, is a seasoned full-stack roboticist with expertise in state estimation, localization, SLAM, and robot perception. With a Master's degree in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon, Shrijit brings a wealth of experience in diverse robotic applications. His portfolio includes work on autonomous vehicles, warehouse robots, unmanned ground vehicles, and drones. Be the first to experience the future of tree inventory management: https://www.moss.ag/#pilot

The horticulture landscape has been evolving rapidly year after year, primarily driven by advancements in technology and the growing demand for sustainable practices. As these changes reshape the industry, the integration of technology like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is becoming increasingly critical for businesses looking to streamline operations and improve efficiency. To provide insight into this transformation, one of the most respected figures in the ERP world, Jan Baan, is here to share his thoughts. With his extensive experience and expertise, Jan will discuss how the merging worlds of ERP and horticulture are setting new benchmarks for the industry and what this convergence will mean for the future of agriculture, technology, and business as a whole. "You can not buy time, just do it." —Jan Baan Jan Baan is a prominent Dutch entrepreneur and venture capitalist, best known for his role as the founder of the Baan Company, a pioneering enterprise in the development of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Under his leadership, the Baan Company became a global force in the software industry, providing integrated solutions that transformed business operations worldwide. After selling Baan Company, Jan embarked on a new venture, founding Cordys, which focused on delivering web-based ERP products and streamlining business processes for the digital era. Demonstrating his ongoing commitment to innovation and technology, Jan continues to build on his legacy with Rappit, a company dedicated to redefining business process automation and efficiency for modern enterprises. For more about Jan: Web: https://rappit.io/ LinkedIn:Jan Baan

In the horticulture industry, there’s a problem that plagues every nursery. Inventory. Dr. Joe Mari Maja has a wealth of knowledge in technology that he’s using to find a solution to this ongoing quandary. From RFID tags to data collection, we’re tackling this from all angles. "This technology is coming and you need to be prepared for it." —Dr. Joe Mari Maja Dr. Joe Mari Maja is a Senior Researcher and Director of the Center of Applied AI for Sustainable Agriculture at South Carolina State University's 1890 Research & Extension, Public Service, and Agriculture. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Science from Tohoku University, Japan, and an MBA from Clemson University. Dr. Maja specializes in advanced sensor technologies, automation, and robotics for agriculture, with a focus on using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for nursery inventory management. His innovative integration of RFID with drones has optimized inventory tracking and plant management, significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of nursery operations. Beyond RFID, Dr. Maja is also an expert in spectral analysis, small-unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and wireless IoT technologies for sustainable agriculture. He has led numerous funded projects and is widely published, contributing significantly to advancing AI and automation in agriculture. https://scsu.oudeve.com/faculty/joe_mari_maja.php For articles, templates, and expert advice, browse the Professional Leadership Institute’s Resources.

The horticultural marketing world is as fluid of an environment as it can get. Let Dr. Bridget Behe and Katie Elzer-Peters help you navigate the complicated world of branding, garden centers, and choice selections in our latest episode. "We are living in capitalism and this is how it all works." —Dr. Bridget Behe Dr. Bridget Behe is a distinguished professor in horticultural marketing at Michigan State University. With a wealth of experience in consumer behavior and marketing within the green industry, she has published numerous articles and conducted extensive research on improving retail sales and marketing strategies for horticultural products. Bridget investigates the consumer preferences, perceptions, and purchases of horticultural crops, both edible and ornamental. Most exciting is her collaborative work with eye-tracking glasses to better understand what consumers see and what they ignore in ads, displays, and the shopping experience. She thanks the Horticultural Research Institute for their partnership in funding much of her horticulture marketing research. She is known for her engaging presentations and practical insights, making her a valuable guest on our podcast. Looking for more Dr. Behe? Follow these links! https://msu.edu/ https://www.hriresearch.org/ https://www.connect-2-consumer.com/ Katie Elzer-Peters is an accomplished writer, editor, and garden communicator with over two decades of experience in the horticulture industry. As the founder of The Garden of Words, LLC, she specializes in content creation and marketing for gardening and landscaping businesses. Katie is an author of several gardening books and a regular contributor to various horticultural publications. She is a natural collaborator and we have enjoyed many engaging discussions with her over the past few years, so are excited to highlight her expertise in digital marketing and engaging storytelling on our podcast! Looking for more Katie? Follow these links! https://thegardenofwords.com/ https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=26933

Horticulture and its many roots are ready for a marketing shakeup. Jeff and Jon from Brands in Blooms are trying to modernize the way businesses in the hort industry connect with consumers. With their fresh approach to making a difference for these businesses and their customers, this duo is already making waves in the gardening world. "We are passionate about helping garden centers connect with the new generations." —Jeff O’Brien Jeff O’Brien, an MBA graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University, is a marketing and horticulture thought leader. As Director of Sales at Van Belle Nursery, he led a team that doubled the business in five years. Jeff's expertise in consumer behavior and garden center marketing drives his current role as a business coach and the visionary behind Brands in Blooms, where he's dedicated to helping businesses flourish. Jon Morrison, an MBA graduate from Trinity Western University, brings a wealth of expertise in branding, marketing, and software to the team. As a Certified StoryBrand Guide, he excels in crafting compelling narratives that resonate deeply with audiences, demonstrating a keen insight into market trends and consumer behavior. Brands in Blooms believes gardening is for everyone and is on a mission to connect garden centers with a new generation. Passionate about breaking down barriers that have traditionally kept younger generations from discovering the joys of gardening, they update marketing strategies, reimagine retail spaces, and harness the power of social media to create a welcoming environment for all, regardless of experience level. For more about Brands In Blooms: Web: https://brandsinblooms.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brands-in-blooms/

Year after year, the world of horticulture is shaped by technology. With a focus on autonomous drones and data collection, Frans-Peter Dechering (Co-Founder of Corvus Drones) is driven to make a positive impact on the future of growers and nurseries. From disease detection to inventory management, Corvus is ready to enact meaningful change for the industry. "Green fingers are nice, but plant data is the best" —Frans-Peter Dechering Frans-Peter Dechering is the Co-Founder of Corvus Drones. He has invested in multiple biotech startups and co-founded GreenTech Amsterdam. After successful divestments, he co-founded Corvus Drones in 2019. He aims to make drone technology accessible and cost-effective for all crops and growers. Today, Corvus Drones serves numerous breeders, young plant producers, and growers globally. Corvus Drones specializes in autonomous drone technology and data collection for greenhouse horticulture. Winner of the GreenTech Amsterdam Innovation Award 2021, their vision is to digitize every individual plant in greenhouses worldwide. Their drones enable comprehensive crop monitoring from seedling to harvest or delivery, accurately mapping germination from initial sprout to first leaves. Listen up, Rhyzers! Never miss a moment from the studio: follow us on your favorite platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Technology in the horticulture world has been accelerating at a pace not seen since the advent of automated planting machines used for greenhouse operations around the world. Bram Tijmons from PATS Indoor Drone Solutions is no stranger to tech. While he may not come from a horticulture background, the advances he’s made in drone technology for pest control will surely bring the industry to new heights. “…what I believe is that we are in such need of certain solutions to keep those very difficult pests in check, that if we can do it in this kind of ‘clean way’ it would already be so helpful…” —Bram Tijmons Bram Tijmons is co-founder at PATS, and active in the cross section of horticulture, IPM, insects and high-tech for 7+ years. He holds a Master in Business Administration, and is the driving force in the commercialization of PATS solutions to make IPM more sustainable and efficient. He's convinced the future of IPM is a symbiosis between Biology and Technology. PATS Indoor Drone Solutions: PATS is a tech startup from Delft, The Netherlands. The company is revolutionizing IPM in horticulture by bringing affordable and bio-inspired solutions. What started out with bat-like drones taking out pests in an early stage, has evolved into a suite of modular solutions enabling growers globally to tackle airborne pest monitoring and control completely and sustainably. The team is on a mission to replace insecticides and reduce risks of crop damages for growers, independent of crop and pest type. For more information visit: www.pats-drones.com.

Within the realm of digital media, publications such as GrowerTalks and Green Profit represent the enduring significance of print media in the industry. Jennifer Zurko and Chris Beytes, prominent personalities at Ball Publishing, contribute 50+ years of experience and knowledge as they delve into the intimate aspects of horticulture journalism and publishing. This engaging discussion sheds light on how journalists navigate the industry, giving a voice to the people and organizations behind the headlines. “... If we didn't love horticulture and support our growers, we'd be out of business quickly. So you want to build relationships, we want to see everyone we interview be successful.” –Chris Beytes Jennifer Zurko is Editor of GrowerTalks and Green Profit magazines. Even though she has a sports journalism degree from Northern Illinois University and thought she’d be a sideline reporter for some sports team, she’s been in the horticulture industry for 20 years. Jen may have interviewed a couple of highly paid major league athletes during her sports-writing days, but she considers herself lucky that she’s been adopted into such a great industry with great people. In 2023, Jen earned a Garden Comm Award for her story on succession planning at Kube-Pak, a growing operation in Allentown, New Jersey. Chris Beytes is Editor-in-Chief of GrowerTalks and Green Profit magazines and author of the widely read weekly e-newsletter, Acres Online, which reaches nearly 27,000 horticulture industry members in 66 countries. Chris is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism and a minor in ornamental horticulture. A former Florida greenhouse owner with his wife, Laurie, Chris has been with Ball Publishing since 1993. In that position, he travels the U.S. and the world to stay current on the latest horticultural production, marketing, and retailing technologies and trends. Highlights of his career (thus far) include interviewing King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, and emceeing (seven times) the International Grower of the Year awards in Germany. Ball Publishing: Since 1937, Ball Publishing has provided the horticulture industry with the best, most up-to-date information on the latest crops, culture, and innovations. Their media includes GrowerTalks and Green Profit magazines, newsletters, online resources, videos, and webinars. Listen up, Rhyzers! Never miss a moment from the studio: follow us on your favorite platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

For today’s growers, walking the crop and interpreting technical data go hand in hand. Pieter Kwaakernak (General Manager for Hoogendoorn America) joins us to delve into the benefits and challenges of integrating technology into greenhouse management. He highlights how sensors, automation, and data analytics are creating optimal conditions for plant growth –yet not replacing the vital experience and human touch of the growers themselves. “Technology and new developments you have to see as an opportunity to do better; to do better as a grower, to have more acreage under your control, to do things more efficiently, and most of all, have more fun in what you’re doing…” –Pieter Kwaakernak Pieter Kwaakernak is a seasoned professional with over two decades of expertise in the horticulture sector. He currently holds the role as General Manager at Hoogendoorn and is responsible for the Canadian market. Pieter's profound connection to horticulture traces back to his roots. Hailing from a family of farmers in Friesland, NL, he embarked on his educational journey in the Netherlands at AOC Terra in Frederiksoord, where he earned his degree in Plant Production and Management. Pieter’s pursuit of knowledge led him to further studies in Deventer and culminated in a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture and International Business from Larenstein University in Wageningen. Outside of his professional endeavors, Pieter remains an active advocate for sustainable horticulture practices. He believes in the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing to address the challenges facing the industry, such as climate change and resource constraints. Hoogendoorn Growth Management is a leading player in the field of horticulture technology and many of the greenhouses in Ontario, BC, and Quebec are using Hoogendoorn climate control solutions such as the IIVO climate control system (a system that Pieter played a vital role in introducing to the Canadian horticulture landscape). To learn more about Plant Empowerment, visit plantempowerment.com, and LetsGrow.com (proud founders and Implementation Partners of the Plant Empowerment community). Listen up, Rhyzers! Never miss a moment from the studio: follow us on your favorite platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

School’s back in session as Horticulture Faculty Professor, Laura Bryce, notes the educational trends and teaches us how the green industry’s ties to technology are shaping the next generation of horticulturists. Dig in to discover the key role education plays in nurturing a sustainable and thriving horticultural workforce and how you can adapt to the changing employment landscape. “Getting aligned with a company that has lots of opportunity to grow, good training, and mentorship is really really important to build that confidence [for horticulture graduates]” –Laura Bryce Laura Bryce is a horticulture educator at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Plant Health, which complements her more than 22 years in the crop production industry. In addition to working at KPU, Laura has worked with Flowers Canada Growers and the BC Landscape and Nursery Association on integrated pest management projects and also spent many years growing hydroponic vegetables. In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature, reading books, and watching true crime documentaries. Hiring in horticulture? Connect with Kwantlen Polytechnic University students eager to join your team: KPU Careers Listen up, Rhyzers! Never miss a moment from the studio: follow us on your favorite platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The data doesn’t lie; future-proofing your horticulture business means leveraging technology and standardizing. We flip the mic on our own host, William Klaassen, and invite industry renowned economist and speaker, Dr. Charlie Hall, to lead the conversation. William and Charlie reflect on ​the transformative impact of data-driven decision-making, intelligent software, and integrated ERP systems –and how these tools are enabling growers to make informed decisions that positively affect their bottom line. “Our industry, in particular, is data rich but information poor. We have tons of data but we don’t necessarily know how to intelligently make decisions from that data.” –Dr. Charlie Hall Aster Software provides and implements powerful tools and strategies to take businesses to the next level. By solving pain points with easy-to-use and adaptable systems, Aster reignites the spark of joy felt when growing professionals (like you!) can find clarity from the IT chaos and focus on what you do best: growing your plants, expanding your business, and empowering your team. Visit astersoftwaregroup.com for the full story. iQ Grower ERP is Aster Software’s complete software package. With iQ Grower ERP’s unique approach, solutions to complex nursery issues become clear. Take control with an all-in-one, cloud-based system that grows with your live goods: product code management to match your inventory’s life cycles, crop grade and specification tracking, live product availability, and so much more… For more about William, visit our About page. Revisit Charlie’s episode, Decoding the Economics of Horticulture, on your favorite platform. Listen up, Rhyzers! Never miss a moment from the studio: follow us on your favorite platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Are your people the drivers of profitability in your business? Ricardo Campos, from Ball Seed Company, takes us along on his journeys through the worlds of commercial horticulture, academic research, lighting innovations, and soil science to offer actionable insights into your workforce’s operational success. And shines light on how you can empower and motivate your team by aligning performance incentives with specific productivity goals. “That which can be measured can be improved. And that which is measured and rewarded is optimized.” –Ricardo Campos Ricardo Campos was recognized early in his career by Greenhouse Grower Magazine as one of the “Forty Under 40” leaders for his many contributions to the industry. He currently works for Ball Seed Company, leading the LED revolution sweeping across North America and Latin America, and bringing new technologies, such as GreenPlugs, to growers focused on increasing net profits. He was recruited into the horticultural industry by the Paul Eck Ranch and quickly became an industry leader. Ricardo championed efforts to introduce tools such as Bonzi, Imidacloprid, anti-thrips screening, sanitation protocols, and other important innovations. Ricardo is a natural leader and has had an impressive trajectory in the management of horticultural enterprises. Ricardo has a degree in Agronomy and Pest Management from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona and started his career in research at the University of California Riverside where he co-authored important papers on the use of Biorational Pesticides, beneficial insects, and pesticide degradation on strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, and other important crops. He currently serves in the prestigious Ellison Chair at Texas A&M University. His understanding of onshore and offshore farm management, large-scale stock production, propagation, finishing, logistics, and sales, have played a key role in every successful project conducted under his leadership. Listen up, Rhyzers! Never miss a moment from the studio: follow us on your favorite platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

What are your plants telling you? Plant Empowerment pioneer, Peter Van Weel, is no stranger to the idea of branching out from traditional growing practices. He gives us a glimpse into the methodology behind this holistic mindset, simple steps you can take to enhance your growing process, and ways to tap into the natural growing power and resilience of plants. “The idea is that once you see how the plant reacts…then you can start thinking about what can I do to improve this, and then you are really on the path of using plant empowerment for what it’s meant for…” –Peter Van Weel Plant Empowerment is an integrated approach to the cultivation process that is based on the natural vigor of plants and uses physiological and physical principles instead of “green thumbs” and feeling. Moreover, Plant Empowerment is universally applicable for all crops, all occurring climate zones, and various types of greenhouses. For more about Plant Empowerment, visit: plantempowerment.academy or plantempowerment.com Peter Van Weel had a rich, 42-year career as a researcher at Wageningen University and Research, developing various innovative systems that are common in today’s greenhouses, such as the ebb and flood watering, roof cleaning, movable benches, and aquaponics systems. Together with Jan Voogt, he developed the climate control strategy “Aircokas” based on monitoring stomatal behavior and optimizing photosynthesis that is described in a patent and an ISHS publication (2008). After his retirement in 2016, he started the private company Weel.Invent to develop integrated, robust, low-investment, and uncomplicated production systems for greenhouse cultivation.

Do you have the right people in the right seats? As an Executive Leadership Coach and Author (The Power of People Skills), Trevor has honed in on assessment tools for enhancing the self-awareness of leaders and employees, while creating a culture of belonging. We unlock the tools for attracting and retaining the best talent and developing the potential in your team. “You get the people you deserve. So I think it all starts with: Who am I? Do I have the right attitudes? Am I someone that people would want to work for? Because the business is just a reflection of you personally.” –Trevor Throness Trevor Throness works as a veteran coach, speaker, and consultant who specializes in working with growing businesses (from 1 million – 1 billion dollars in sales), helping them resolve the challenges that always come with fast growth. Trevor has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, organizations, and business families fix people problems, enhance communication, attract top talent, and build exceptional cultures. Trevor is the author of the book: The Power of People Skills, released by Career Press NY in September 2017. The Power of People Skills helps leaders permanently fix chronic people problems. Trevor has written for or been featured in The Globe and Mail, the New York Post, Inc., Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Chief Executive magazines, as well as numerous podcasts and interviews. Trevor is also the CEO and Senior Instructor for the business education website: professionalleadershipinstitute.com and creator of the DISC Personalities Assessment tool. For articles, templates, and expert advice, browse the Professional Leadership Institute’s Resources. For more about Trevor: Web: trevorthroness.com LinkedIn: Trevor Throness

Tech and nature collide in the world of Integrated Pest Management. Get ready to deep dive into this fascinating world and explore the powerful potential of biological controls with professional Agrologist and IPM Specialist, Greg Welfing. From natural predators and beneficials to drones and biotechnology, this episode uncovers the various holistic strategies used to keep pests at bay and shape the future of pest control. “It takes a lot of thought, it takes a lot of knowledge on your pest biology; and all of those things have to come up in conversation when you’re developing a pest plan.” –Greg Welfing As a professional Agrologist, IPM Specialist, and sales technician for Anatis Bioprotection, Greg is the go-to guy for helping growers develop their IPM strategies. He consults with nursery teams to understand their needs and environmental pressures before presenting insects (a.k.a. beneficials) as options for their biological control programs, all with the overall goal of helping the grower in the best way possible. Based in Quebec, Canada, Anatis Bioprotection is a leader in producing and distributing insects, mites, beneficial nematodes, and biopesticides. They offer effective ecological solutions to control insects and pests in horticultural, greenhouse, and agricultural crops –no matter the scale. https://anatisbioprotection.com/en/