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4 Questions for Leslie, a Green Industry Consultant, Author, Educator (and more …)

Throughout 2026, host Bill Calkins has been catching up with different people in the professional horticulture space and find out a little bit about their careers, passions, journeys in the world of plants and much more. He sent each potential guest a list of 12 questions and they picked four to answer and discuss.

Well, almost everyone … This episode, Bill is joined by his friend Leslie Halleck, a consultant, author, educator, certified horticulturist and nonconformist who opted NOT to pick four questions and answer whatever Bill asked. It’s a fun episode that goes in many different directions and touches on tons of different subjects but always circles back to a passion for the industry and all businesses and people involved. You absolutely have to listen all the way to the end of this one because although there are four questions asked and answered, there’s much more going on here.

Here are the four questions Bill selected for Leslie:

Q: Do you have a morning or evening routine you’d like to share with the listeners? Why do you do this?

Q: What’s something about professional horticulture that annoys you and how would you change it?

Q: What are three tools you couldn’t live without or couldn’t do your job without. (This can be hand tools, technology, etc.)

Q: What advice would you give to a young person considering pursuit of a career in horticulture?

 

This episode is sponsored by Prospiant—leaders in greenhouse design, manufacture and build. Learn more and connect with the expert team at prospiant.com.  

4 Questions for Kelly, a North American Head of Technical Services

Throughout 2026 (and possibly beyond), host Bill Calkins is catching up with different people in the professional horticulture space and find out a little bit about their careers, passions, journeys in the world of plants and much more. He sent each potential guest a list of 12 questions and they picked four to answer and discuss.

This episode, Bill is joined by his friend Kelly Nicholas, Dümmen Orange’s head of technical services for North America. Kelly has a ton of experience across many segments of our industry—technical, production, greenhouse management and more. Plus, she’s a fantastic leader and has great advice that’s shared throughout the episode. If you’re considering exploring a career in horticulture or need some inspiration to battle burnout—Kelly suggests you hit her up on LinkedIn because she’s always happy to network.

Here are the four questions Kelly selected:

Q: What was your first exposure to “horticulture” and how did you feel, react, respond?

Q: What are three tools you couldn’t live without or couldn’t do your job without. (This can be hand tools, technology, etc.)

Q: What advice would you give to a young person considering pursuit of a career in horticulture?

Q: What advice would you give to an industry veteran currently dealing with “burnout”?

 

This episode is sponsored by Mycorrhizal Applications—master distributor of biological and botanical plant support solutions and the world’s leading supplier of mycorrhizal soil inoculants. Learn more and connect with the expert team at mycorrhizae.com.

2026 California Spring Trials Debrief ft. Chris Beytes & Jen Zurko

Host Bill Calkins welcomes GrowerTalks’ editor in chief Chris Beytes and editor Jennifer Zurko to the podcast to share thoughts on California Spring Trials—the plants, the trends, the overall vibe—and the impact spring trials STILL has on the professional horticulture industry.

When Chris, Jen and Bill return from spring trials each year, folks in the industry always ask for overall thoughts, hot new varieties expected to be big sellers and what they consider to be industry breakthroughs. It was Bill’s bright idea to once again record a podcast answering some of these questions and of course his partners in crime for the annual trek had so much fin recording last year’s debrief that they agreed to humor him again.

Here are the questions the three tackled in this episode:

• If the 2026 California Spring Trials was a new employee, how would he/she introduce themselves?
• Name a few new introductions from CAST 2026 that stand out in our minds—and why.
• Why do we keep going back every year (besides to make sponsored content)—how do we stay amped up about spring trials?
• If we could have ONE OR TWO new introductions shipped to our houses for free, what would they be?
• What are some new intros that we feel are perfect for social media click generation?
• Are any of the new intros seen at CAST “more than just pretty”?
• Some 2026 CAST varieties that got major promotion at the event (big displays) that we think will live up to the hype?
• Were there any new intros that made us think, “what the heck is that” OR that surprised us?
• What are some reasons folks in the industry should take the time and make the investment to attend California Spring Trials?

 

CHECK OUT BALL PUBLISHING’S INDUSTRY-LEADING COVERAGE OF THE 2026 CALIFORNIA SPRING TRIALS:

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4 Questions for Mason, a VP Of Business Development

Host Bill Calkins is catching up with different people in the professional horticulture space and find out a little bit about their careers, passions, journeys in the world of plants and much more. He sent each potential guest a list of 12 questions and they picked four to answer and discuss.

This episode, Bill is joined by Mason Day, the Vice President of Business Development at JR Peters Company/Jack’s Fertilizers.

Here are the four questions Mason selected:

Q: What do you love most about your job?

Q: What advice would you give to an industry veteran currently dealing with “burnout”?

Q: How do you explain our industry to strangers, friends, family?

Q: What’s something about professional horticulture that annoys you and how would you change it?

4 Questions for Lorentina, a North American Sales & Product Representative

Throughout 2026 (and possibly beyond), host Bill Calkins is catching up with different people in the professional horticulture space and find out a little bit about their careers, passions, journeys in the world of plants and much more. He sent each potential guest a list of 12 questions and they picked four to answer and discuss.

This episode, Bill is joined by Lorentina McKoy, the North American Sales & Product Representative for Suntory. Lorentina wears many hats with Suntory from supply management and technical support to product selection and working as a liaison with off-shore stock farms. She brings it all together with unique skill sets and plenty of past greenhouse experience. Her perspective is thoughtful and rooted in a passion for the green industry.

Here are the four questions Lorentina selected:

Q: How do you explain our industry to strangers, friends, family?

Q: If you had a free hour, what would we find you doing?

Q: If you won the lottery and could start a horticulture business from scratch, what would it be and what would it look like?

Q: What advice would you give to a young person considering pursuit of a career in horticulture?

This episode is sponsored by Prospiant—leaders in greenhouse design, manufacture and build. Learn more and connect with the expert team at prospiant.com.  

4 Questions for Tanya, a Territory Manager (AND BLOOM DIVA!)

This episode is sponsored by Prospiant—leaders in greenhouse design, manufacture and build. Learn more and connect with the expert team at prospiant.com.

Throughout 2026 (and possibly beyond), host Bill Calkins is going to catch up with different people in the professional horticulture space and find out a little bit about their careers, passions, journeys in the world of plants and much more. He sent each potential guest a list of 12 questions and they picked four to answer and discuss.

This episode, Bill is joined by Tanya Carvalho, territory manager for all of Canada at Ball FloraPlant and Selecta One. Tanya is also a social media influencer for the commercial side of our industry and you should follow her on Instagram! @tanyacbloomdiva

Here are the four questions Tanya selected:

Q: How do you explain our industry to strangers, friends, family?

Q: If you won the lottery and could start a horticulture business from scratch, what would it be and what would it look like?

Q: What are your top 3 favorite annuals? And perennials?

Q: What advice would you give to a young person considering pursuit of a career in horticulture?

Greenhouse Climate Systems in 2026 & Beyond ft. BioTherm’s Jim Rearden

In this episode, host Bill Calkins and BioTherm president Jim Rearden talk about a new partnership for BioTherm that brings some cutting-edge product lines into the company’s portfolio—including low-mass boilers and new, modern unit heaters.

But that’s not all you can expect this episode! Bill also asked Jim about the evolution of greenhouse environmental management, how grower needs continue to change (based on many factors), the importance of planning ahead when making equipment decisions and what the future may hold in terms of regulation and legislation that’s bound to impact our industry.

It’s a great conversation so be sure to stick around all the way to the end, because the good information keeps coming.

Resources:

• BioTherm Website: https://biothermsolutions.com/
• Climate Systems for Indoor Environments (VIDEO): https://youtu.be/1EImJy5UEe4|
• How to Heat Your Greenhouse (VIDEO): https://youtu.be/H46OQwxJdx4
• The Ultimate Grower Climate Control System (VIDEO): https://youtu.be/PSMxCyOhbj4
• Low-mass Boiler Solutions: https://biothermsolutions.com/high-efficiency-boiler-system/
• Sterling Unit Heaters: https://biothermsolutions.com/product/sterling-high-efficiency-unit-heaters/

4 Questions for Diane, an Executive Director

Throughout 2026 (and possibly beyond), host Bill Calkins will catch up with different people in the professional horticulture space and find out a little bit about their careers, passions, journeys in the world of plants and much more. Bill sent each guest a list of 12 questions and they picked four to answer and discuss.

This episode, he’s joined by Diane Blazek, Executive Director at All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau.

Here are the four questions Diane selected:

Q: How do you explain our industry to strangers, friends, family?

Q: Do you have a morning or evening routine you’d like to share with the listeners? Why do you do this?

Q: What’s something about professional horticulture that annoys you and how would you change it?

Q: What are three tools you couldn’t live without or couldn’t do your job without. (This can be hand tools, technology, etc.)

PanAmerican Seed Grower Insights On Select 2027 Varieties

WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION! https://youtu.be/qrcLV3tyCLo 

For this video podcast, host Bill Calkins is joined by three representatives from PanAmerican Seed who each bring specific expertise to the table, having worked with new crops for years to help bring them to market with solid foundations and supported by all the information you, as growers, need to be successful.

Lisa Lacy is Director of Product Management for PanAmerican, Robin Ruether is Senior Product Manager and Sonali Padhye is PanAm’s Senior Global Technical Manager and together they will cover five key 2027 introductions from the global seed breeding company.

Here’s the list of crops and you’ll see that they cover a range of genera, uses and market positions. There are landscape performers, combo components, Fleuroselect Gold Medal and All-America Selections winners and seed forms of traditionally vegetative varieties—truly something for everyone. Find all product information at https://www.panamseed.com/ .

• African Marigold Lanna Lace
• Bacopa Galactic Mist White
• Sunflower Always Sunny Gold
• Heuchera Heucherette Pink & Red
• Sedum Spectacular

4 Questions for Broch, a Strategic Account Manager

Throughout 2026 (and possibly beyond), host Bill Calkins will catch up with different people in the professional horticulture space and find out a little bit about their careers, passions, journeys in the world of plants and much more. Bill sent each guest a list of 12 questions and they picked four to answer and discuss.

This episode, he’s joined by Broch Martindale, National Nursery and Greenhouse Strategic Account Manager with Corteva Agriscience.

Here are the four questions Broch selected:

Q: What was your first exposure to “horticulture” and how did you feel, react, respond?

Q: What advice would you give to a young person considering pursuit of a career in horticulture?

Q: What do you love most about your job?

Q: What does the future of horticulture look like?