Rhyzone Podcast

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 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 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.

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 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.

https://msu.edu/

https://thegardenofwords.com/

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, 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.

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 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. 

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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).

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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

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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.

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