Plants, People, Science

American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)

Horticultural science is the only discipline that incorporates both the science and aesthetics of plants. It is the science and art of producing edible fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and ornamental plants, improving and commercializing them. Plants, People, Science, a podcast by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), will bring you the recent advancements in science, technology, innovation, development, and education for economically important horticultural crops and plants. Each episode features an interview with an American Society for Horticultural Science member, a discussion of their current work in the field, and the story behind their research. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. In this podcast, you will hear from diverse members across the horticultural community - scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents, and industry professionals. 

  1. APR 22

    Participatory Plant Breeding For Better Tasting Organic Tomatoes - An Interview with Dr. Ambar Carvallo Lopez

    Most of us think new crop horticulture cultivars are invented behind closed doors, then handed to farmers as a finished product. We wanted to explore that assumption, so we sat down with Dr. Ambar Carvallo Lopez, currently a Post Doctoral Research Associate at the University of British Columbia and an ASHS award-winning author and plant breeder whose work shows how research progresses when growers and consumers Participate in the science. If you care about better-tasting tomatoes, resilient organic agriculture, and the future of local food systems, this conversation connects the dots from seed to plate.  In this episode we walk through the concept of participatory plant breeding, where farmers are involved early to define breeding objectives and then help shape selection by trialing lines on their farms. This is a unique form of citizen-science.   Ambar shares how the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Where she completed her PhD, tomato breeding program uses iterative seed exchange and real-world feedback to shorten the “will this work on my farm?” gap that often slows adoption. Along the way, we talk about genotype by environment interactions, high tunnel production, and why building trust with stakeholders can be as important as collecting data.  Ambar explains why tomato flavor may have declined over time as breeding programs prioritized yield, disease resistance, and plant structure, and how accessing heirloom tomato diversity can help recover the genes and volatile compounds tied to better aroma and taste. In the conversation also digs into practical breeding targets for organic systems, including foliar diseases like Septoria leaf spot and early blight, plus the behind-the-scenes reality of deciding when a line is ready to release and how to handle credit and IP when farmers are true co-creators.  If you finish this episode thinking differently about what’s behind a great tomato, share it with a friend, subscribe for more horticultural science, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Read "Improved Tomato Breeding Lines Adapted to Organic Farming Systems Have Enhanced Flavor, Yield, and Disease Resistance", winner of the 2025 ASHS Outstanding Vegetable Publication Award. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17799-24 Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    46 min
  2. FEB 3

    Breeding Breakthroughs and Mentorship Insights with Gina Fernandez

    A sunrise ride to an apple orchard changed everything for Dr. Gina Fernandez—and it might change how you think about berries. We sit down with the NC State distinguished professor and berry breeder to trace the path from cold-hardy apple rootstocks in Minnesota, to thornless blackberries in Arkansas, to a career defining strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries across the Southeast. Along the way, Gina reveals what makes a cultivar truly stand out: not just yields or firmness, but flavor that keeps people coming back. Gina explains how she first joined NC State to tackle cultural management and methyl bromide alternatives, then stepped into breeding as the program shifted. We dig into the trials that helped launch a North Carolina blackberry industry, why thornlessness and resistance to double blossom were pivotal, and how later threats like orange rust and fusarium reshaped goals. On strawberries, she unpacks the split between shipping acreage and local pick-your-own farms, and more. We also talk about berry varieties Gina and her team have released over the years, specifically the blackberry 'Von' and the raspberry 'Nantahala', as well as the upcoming release of her new blackberry, NC740, to be called 'Ervin'. Beyond genetics, Gina shares how science moved from solo wins to team science, and how she mentors through “Team Rubus” with weekly cadence, trust, and room for students to grow. Expect practical wisdom for early‑career researchers: travel to see different systems, build writing muscle, and collaborate across pathology, entomology, breeding, and economics to solve real grower problems. If you care about berry breeding, flavor, disease resistance, and how ideas become fruit on the table, this conversation delivers a full plate. Additional information is available in these articles:  HortScience "'Von" Thornless Blackberry": https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/48/5/article-p654.xml  HortScience article, "'Nantahala' Red Raspberry" is available at https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/44/1/article-p25.xml There are also many other relevant ASHS Journal articles available Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    50 min
  3. JAN 5

    What It Takes To Make A Super Cold-Hardy Wine Grape

    Think a great wine grape can’t survive where winters drop to minus forty? We sit down with breeder Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti from North Dakota State University to unpack how a young industry, a focused research program, and some stubborn optimism produced two new cultivars built for the northern plains. From the early days of variety trials and policy hurdles to the release of Dakota Primus and Radiant, Harlene shares how hybrid genetics, gritty selection, and clever management turned a hostile climate into an advantage. We dig into the science of cold hardiness: why photoperiod sensitivity matters more than you think, how vines must read shortening days to lay down periderm before sudden freezes, and the three critical windows where cold injury strikes—fall acclimation, deep midwinter lows, and late-winter temperature whiplash. Harlene explains the growth calendar for a North Dakota vineyard with just 130 frost-free days, from delayed pruning and cautious budbreak to early-August veraison and mid-September harvests.  Beyond the vineyard, we explore how the state’s wine scene found its footing, why regulations evolved to support consistent supply, and how tourism now fuels growth. The conversation closes with what’s next: chasing an ultra-cold-hardy red, expanding into table grapes for farmers markets, and celebrating the team effort—students, specialists, and collaborators—that made progress possible. If you’re curious about cold-climate viticulture, breeding under polar vortex pressure, or how science builds regional wine identities, this one’s for you. Additional information in available in these articles: Complex Plant Process Trait Evaluation Through Decomposition of Higher-order Interaction: A Case Study in Acclimation Responses of Cold-climate Hybrid Grapevine Through Bilinear and Multiway Methods Cold Climate Winegrape Cultivar Sensitivity to Sulfur in the Northern Great Plains Region of the United States ‘NDMutant1’: A Novel Determinate Interspecific Grapevine for Genetic and Physiological Study and Breeding Applications Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more growers and wi Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    50 min
  4. 10/28/2025

    The ASHS Annual Conference: Gathering the Horticultural Science Community for Learning and Collaboration

    We sit down with our podcast teammate Lena Wilson—fresh off a first-place PhD Graduate Student Poster Competition win—to unpack what it takes to thrive at a major scientific conference, from crafting a clear two-minute story to turning a poster row into a collaboration engine.  Lena takes us inside a week in New Orleans at her first ASHS Annual Conference. We trade practical tactics for session planning, using the conference app without becoming a prisoner to it, and scheduling specific meetups before everyone’s calendar fills up. You’ll also hear quick voice clips from students, postdocs, faculty, and industry partners sharing what they do while listening to podcasts—tissue grinding, figure polishing, micropropagation - plus why they keep returning to ASHS: community, mentorship, and science that feeds people. We also look ahead to ASHS 2026 in Dallas, August 3-7, 2026. If you’re a graduate student aiming for your first big presentation, an early-career scientist ready to widen your circle, or a faculty member scouting new collaborations, you’ll leave with a clearer plan and renewed energy. Subscribe for more conversations with researchers, educators, and industry leaders across horticultural science. Share this episode with a colleague who needs a nudge to submit that abstract, and leave a review to help others discover the show. Find more information about the ASHS Annual Conference at https://ashs.org/page/ASHSAnnualConference. Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    29 min
  5. 09/12/2025

    The Art of Teaching: Dr. Chad Miller's Innovative Classroom Trade Shows

    Dr. Chad Miller from Colorado State University shares his innovative approach to teaching horticulture through a classroom trade show format that transforms traditional plant identification courses into engaging, multidimensional learning experiences. As the 2024 ASHS Outstanding Undergraduate Educator award winner, he discusses how he combines plant knowledge with professional skill development to prepare students for success beyond the classroom. • Creating a trade show environment where students showcase plant knowledge creatively • Moving beyond memorization to develop professional communication skills • Using peer evaluation to help students learn to give and receive constructive feedback • Approaching teaching as scholarship worthy of research and publication • Balancing high expectations with understanding of students' complex lives • Finding joy in seeing students succeed professionally • Establishing a classroom culture where it's safe to not know and to learn from mistakes To read more about Dr. Miller's teaching approach, check out his award-winning paper "Classroom Trade Show: An Alternative to Traditional Classroom Presentations in an Undergraduate Plant Identification Course" in HortTechnology. If you're interested in teaching innovations in horticulture, consider joining the ASHS Teaching Methods Interest Group. Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    40 min
  6. 07/25/2025

    Hydrangea Genomics: Dr. Lisa Alexander's Path to Breeding Better Hydrangeas

    The science behind your garden hydrangeas involves far more than just planting and watering. Dr. Lisa Alexander, a research geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, takes us on a fascinating journey from her first days pollinating chestnut trees in a 70-foot bucket truck to her current work revolutionizing hydrangea breeding at the National Arboretum. Working from the heart of Tennessee's nursery country, Dr. Alexander explains how she's mapping the genetic diversity of oakleaf hydrangea across its six-state native range. Her team has identified six distinct genetic populations, some containing rare genes that might help plants survive drought or cold temperatures. This groundbreaking research comes at a critical time – they've discovered that urbanization has already caused these beautiful native plants to disappear from many previously recorded locations. The economic stakes are significant. Hydrangeas represent a $155 million industry, ranking as the second best-selling woody shrub behind roses. By understanding the genetic blueprint controlling traits like plant size, flower structure, and environmental adaptations, breeders can develop improved varieties that combine beauty with resilience. Dr. Alexander also discusses the exciting launch of "Hort Genomes" – a new initiative creating a dedicated home for specialty crop genomic data within the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. This resource will accelerate research across horticultural fields by centralizing crucial genetic information previously scattered across publications or unavailable to the scientific community. Whether you're a backyard gardener admiring your hydrangeas or a scientist breeding the next generation of ornamental plants, this episode reveals the remarkable intersection of traditional horticulture with cutting-edge genomics that's shaping the future of our gardens. Read the JASHS article “Precipitation, Temperature, and Population Structure Influence Genetic Diversity of Oakleaf Hydrangea Throughout Its Native Range” at https://www.doi.org/10.21273/JASHS05255-22. Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    40 min
  7. 06/25/2025

    Ready for ASHS: Tips and Tricks for Conference Success

    Unlock the secrets to making the most of the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference with insider tips from seasoned attendees. As the 2025 New Orleans conference approaches (July 28-August 1), discover strategies that transform overwhelming events into career-defining opportunities. Veteran conference-goer Curt Rom (46 conferences and counting!) and graduate student Samson Humphrey share perspectives on navigating everything from travel logistics to networking techniques. They reveal how to leverage the conference app to build a personalized schedule, position yourself for meaningful connections at poster sessions, and deliver polished presentations that showcase your research. The conversation goes beyond academic presentations to highlight often-overlooked opportunities like resume reviews that provide one-on-one career guidance, competitions that can earn recognition and rewards, and the critical importance of informal gatherings where "the real science often happens." Whether you are presenting research, seeking career opportunities, or simply looking to expand your professional network, this episode provides actionable strategies for every conference situation. The hosts emphasize that while the science is central, it's the relationships formed over beignets at Café Du Monde or during the annual 5K Fun Run that often prove most valuable to your career. Download the ASHS conference app today, build your profile, and start planning your personalized conference experience. https://ashs.org/page/ASHSAnnualConference Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    44 min
  8. 04/17/2025

    Growing Global Leaders in Horticulture: A Conversation with ASHS President Dr. Daniel Leskovar

    A simple microscope gift during a childhood illness sparked a lifelong passion for horticulture that would take Dr. Daniel Leskovar from Argentina to leadership in American plant science. As the current President of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Dr. Leskovar shares the remarkable journey that began with his father's work in hop production and led him through prestigious institutions across three continents. The conversation reveals how formative experiences—observing agricultural practices in Patagonia, studying plant cells during recovery from a kidney infection, and adapting to a fruit and vegetable-rich diet—shaped his scientific curiosity. Dr. Leskovar pursued advanced degrees at Wageningen University, UC Davis, and the University of Florida before establishing himself as a respected researcher and center director at Texas A&M University. From his base in the "Winter Garden of Texas," Dr. Leskovar conducts innovative research on artichokes, tomatoes, spinach, and hydroponics. His current projects showcase a commitment to practical solutions, including grafting techniques for improved tomato production, assessing cadmium levels in spinach to ensure food safety, and developing hydroponic systems that can engage students with horticultural science. What truly distinguishes this conversation is Dr. Leskovar's vision for horticultural science globally. He articulates ambitious goals for ASHS, emphasizing the need to elevate publications, strengthen the society's brand recognition, and forge international partnerships that highlight how "what we do matters to people, matters to the environment, matters to quality of life." Ready to discover how horticultural science shapes our world? To learn more about Dr. Leskovar's research, visit Vegetable physiology, production, quality - Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Uvalde or contact him directly at daniel.leskovar@ag.tamu.edu. Send us Fan Mail Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at  https://ashs.org/. HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org. Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember! You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion. Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com. On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/. Thank you for listening! ...

    49 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Horticultural science is the only discipline that incorporates both the science and aesthetics of plants. It is the science and art of producing edible fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and ornamental plants, improving and commercializing them. Plants, People, Science, a podcast by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), will bring you the recent advancements in science, technology, innovation, development, and education for economically important horticultural crops and plants. Each episode features an interview with an American Society for Horticultural Science member, a discussion of their current work in the field, and the story behind their research. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. In this podcast, you will hear from diverse members across the horticultural community - scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents, and industry professionals. 

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