CropTalk

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.

Allison Kopf, Founder and CEO of Artemis, joins the show today to talk about systemizing your growing operations.

Whatever your system, whether it's binders, clipboards and paper, or state-of-the-art analytics and software, having something is better than nothing and gives you a foundation to work from.

Start with what you have and look for areas that can be automated--what manual or time-consuming task is taking you or your grower away from more critical work?

Listen in as Allison shares her journey of seeing need for automation as a grower and how she turned it into a business that helps other growers get real-time insights to transform their crops--and their futures.

"We're no longer trying biological control. We're applying biological control."

So says Ronald Valentin, Director of Technical Business for BioWorks. In this episode, Ronald talks about using BCAs as a first line of defense as well as the evolution of predatory mite sachets. It all comes down to this:

A lot of growers want to dabble.

But when it comes to BCAs, dabbling is a terrible strategy.

A different understanding.

It's what you get when you step back and give a problem some space to breathe.

From growing to pest management, finding the patience to step back and see the bigger picture before acting almost always results in a better long term outcome than making a rush decision.

On this solo episode, Charlie McKenzie shares his journey of learning that patience can bring clarity and a holistic solution for most any situation.