Skip to content
opens in a new window
GROWERTALKS - December 2024 Issue (Vol. 88 No. 8)
Acres & Acres
You Can Quote Me
Chris Beytes
“I just sit at a typewriter and curse a bit.”
Cover Story
Preserving the Past & Focusing on the Future
Jennifer Zurko
I sat down with the third and fourth generations of Sants to learn how they’ve been able to continue the success of their business while also honoring the history of how they got here.
Features
Be Candid With Candidates
Todd Downing
The multiple benefits of improved transparency in hiring.
Features
Heading Into the Unknown
Jennifer Zurko, Data Compiled by Industry Insights
Our 29th annual survey of the industry on wages and benefits—and the second in partnership with AmericanHort—is a reminder that staffing continues to be top-of-mind for every greenhouse business during a time that could bring major change to the labor market.
Features
Maximizing Trade Show Results
Rayne Gibson
Actionable marketing strategies for exhibitors.
Features
Pay Attention to the Details
Mark E. Battersby
Managing your taxes may be the equivalent of getting a root canal, but there could be tax savings at the state and local levels that you may not be aware of.
Features
Reducing the Risk
Traci Dooley
Key insights on horticulture insurance trends for 2025.
Features
Six Questions for Scott Roskuszka, President of PanAmerican Seed
Chris Beytes
Long-time Ball Horticultural Company employee Scott Roskuszka recently accepted the role of president of PanAmerican Seed (PAS), the corporation’s seed breeding division. Scott succeeded Anne Leventry, who retired in March after 36 years with Ball, including almost 25 in the top position at PAS. Scott comes to his new gig with 23 years of experience across the corporation, including Finance, IT and Ball Seed, where he’s served as both Director of Customer Relations and Director of Supplier Relations. Most recently, Scott was PAS’ Global Director of Operations. We gave Scott six months to settle into his new office, then we cornered him with a few questions.
Growers Talk Business
I Thought Mental Health Days Were Ridiculous … Until I Needed One
Art Parkerson
Some days you just aren’t yourself and sometimes those bad days may drag into seasons. I get it now.
Growers Talk Production
Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?
Austin Bryant
The easiest way to stay relevant as a business is by looking at future talent as not only labor, but also as a bridge between each generation of consumers.
GT in Brief
AFE Announces New Officers & Trustee Appointments
Jennifer Zurko
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) announced the new Chairman of the Board, Officers and Trustees appointments.
GT in Brief
Beekenkamp, Dümmen Orange “Explore Closer Collaboration”
Chris Beytes
That’s the vague way in which the press release presented the info that two of Europe’s largest flower breeding companies may be hooking up or partnering in some way, shape or fashion.
GT in Brief
Caladium Harvest Starts Early at Classic
Chris Beytes
Classic Caladiums started harvesting their 400 miles of caladium beds in October this year—only the second time in the 24-year history of the business that they started harvesting this early in the season.
GT in Brief
Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund Announces Research & Educational Grants for 2025
Jennifer Zurko
The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund of the American Floral Endowment (AFE) has announced new projects for funding.
GT in Brief
In Memoriam: Peter Orum
Chris Beytes
Peter Orum, founder of Midwest Groundcovers in St. Charles, Illinois, passed away October 17 at home surrounded by friends and family after a four-month battle with a rare form of lymphoma. He was 82.
GT in Brief
In Memoriam: Stanton Gill
Chris Beytes
What a shock to hear that Stanton Gill, much-loved professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, passed away unexpectedly on October 6 at the age of 72.
Guest Column
The Rapid Rise of Millenium
Lowell Halvorson
Lots of allium species and cultivars exist, but none of them had any real impact within the industry itself until Millenium came along.
Inside Look
Using Change for the Better
Jennifer Zurko
The key to getting through change is figuring out how to adapt to it.
JZ on D.C.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Meets With Agricultural Workforce
Jennifer Zurko
Secretary Tom Vilsack of the United States Department of Agriculture hosted AmericanHort President and CEO Ken Fisher, along with other principals of the Agricultural Workforce Coalition.
Paul's Pointers
Preventatives Make Sense (and Save Dollars)
Paul Pilon
When it comes to growing plants, it’s more costly and detrimental to wait to address crop issues rather than managing them when they first arise.
Pest Management
Biosolutions for Propagators
Jeremy Webber
As they begin their growth, this is the time crops benefit from a custom bioprogram so they can develop into quality, viable plugs by shipping time.
TRENDING NOW
2025-2026 Ball Seed Cut Flowers Catalog
Ball Seed
TRENDING NOW
Fogging Systems
Lubing USA
TRENDING NOW
Gothic Arch Greenhouses
Gothic Arch Greenhouses Inc.
TRENDING NOW
Headgrower
Bartlett Instrument Company
TRENDING NOW
Marshall F1
Bejo Seeds Inc.