Rhyzone Podcast Rhyzone Podcast

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.



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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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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.  



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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.