It's clear that a lot of people in the U.S. are still wary of cannabis products being regulated.

Even regulators - like the FDA and USDA - are still uncertain of how to handle the regulation process of the commodity.

In this episode of CropTalk, founder and CEO of Allay Consulting, Kimberly Stuck, fills listeners in on how her team is educating regulators about cannabis.

She covers topics such as:

• Driving industry growth through education.
• Normalizing cannabis in the U.S.
• Differences between cannabis and other regulated commodities.
• How the FDA and USDA are currently handling cannabis regulation.

To listen to this episode and more like it, subscribe to CropTalk on Apple Podcasts or tune in here.

How does variety selection impact growth from Oregon, to California, to the Carolinas?

On this episode, we invited Dr. Allison Justice to share her expertise on variety selection with cannabis.

Dr. Justice is the Founder of The Hemp Mine, Co-Founder of SC Botanicals, and a Board Member of the California Industrial Hemp Advisory Board.

What we talked about:

• Variety selection
• How geographies impact growth
• Vegetative liners
• Clones
• Feminized seeds
• Stabilization and risk mitigation

You can find this interview, and many more, by subscribing to the CropTalk podcast on Apple Podcasts.

As horticulture recovers from a generational gap in recruitment, it's important to emphasize the value of building relationships - and trust - in the industry.

In this episode of CropTalk, co-host Kyle Barnett talks with Todd Downing, managing partner at Best Human Capital & Advisory Group, about recruitment in the ag tech industry.

They also discuss:

• The best ways to break into the ag tech industry.
• The importance of building professional relationships.
• Advocating for training and development in ag tech.

To listen to this episode and more like it, subscribe to CropTalk on Apple Podcasts or tune in here.

You know what you want to grow. You know how you're going to grow.

Do you know your market?

This is the question Kyle Barnett, regional sales manager at Hort Americas (oh, and CropTalk's brand new co-host!), asks all his clients.

In this episode, Kyle and I discuss:

• The biggest problem for growers
• Consistency in growing
• Building a network of distribution
• Horticultural lighting

Resources we mention:

• The Vertical Farm

To listen to this episode and more like it, subscribe to CropTalk on Apple Podcasts or tune in here.

In the age of information, it's hard to believe there are still knowledge silos in the growing industry.

How can we work together to halt the cycle of tribal knowledge?

Head grower at Van de Wetering Greenhouses and 40+ year growing veteran, Bill Turner, shares his method of eliminating knowledge silos in growing.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Passing along information to new growers
• Developing a growing guide
• Learning from industry mistakes
• Advice for new growers

To listen to this episode and more like it, subscribe to CropTalk on Apple Podcasts or tune in here.

So, you're getting into the cannabinoid extraction business.

How do you know what methods and equipment are the best to invest in?

Shane Smith, cannabis and hemp consultant at CEID Consulting, fills us in on his favorite cannabinoid extraction methods and products.

Plus, he goes over:

• Gaining knowledge and experience working in multiple labs
• Reasons why it's important to invest in good equipment
• Solvent-based extraction
• Mechanical separation

To listen to this episode and more like it, subscribe to CropTalk on Apple Podcasts or tune in here.

In the last 10 years, IPM (Integrated Pest Management) has evolved rapidly.

Now, there's a lot more to consider than just pests. IPM has become a holistic approach to growing.

To fill us in on where IPM is going is Vince Livengood, Technical Services Manager for Kemin Industries.

In this episode, we go over:

• How to get the most out of biopesticides
• Keys to building an effective IPM plan
• Changes in the IPM industry

To listen to this episode and more like it, subscribe to CropTalk on Apple Podcasts or tune in here.

Root aphids are the stuff of horror movies.

They're born pregnant, and some of them can mutate into flyers. When you hit them with pesticides, they send a lot of flyers out.

They just don't go away. You'll think you're clean, then they'll come back stronger out of nowhere. They're "borderline supernatural," according to Bill Cook, a cannabis consultant and today's guest.

In this episode, Bill talks about how to control root aphids, which is one of the most significant topics facing cultivators of THC or CBD cannabis.

Hydroponics is the art of growing produce without the use of soil, using water and nutrients instead.

Many people think it's a new science/technology, but we now know that the science dates back to the ancient Chinese, Aztecs, and Egyptians, the latter of which farmed on rafts in the Nile.

Today's guest is John Harrison, Founder and CEO of AGR1. John was classically trained as a chef, which spurred his passion for what he's doing now.

In this first episode of our new series #FirstCrop, John explains why he got involved in hydroponics and gives a dire warning about how farming should be done in the future.

Whether you're growing in soil or growing hydroponically, John has something you need to hear today.

In a predominantly male industry, Arielle Van Wingerden has made her mark.

A multi-generational horticulture grower, and a student of business, Arielle has a very unique perspective on what it's like to be a female and a leader in the industry.

"There's this common misconception that women are trying to take over. But really, all we're looking for is collaboration."

On this episode of CropTalk, Charlie chats with Arielle on why bringing more women into horticulture will bring a new level of growth to the industry that's unprecedented.