Keeping It Green

In this special episode of Keeping It Green, the podcast team welcomes co-host Sandy Feather as a guest to celebrate her 29.5-year career with Penn State Extension. Sandy reflected on her journey from journalism to a horticulture educator role, discussed key industry challenges such as oak wilt, spotted lanternfly, and recent weather impacts, and shared her thoughts on trends, including native pla...

How does a kid who once dreamed of becoming a professional lifeguard while growing up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina end up as a leader in biological pest control? Join the Green Industry podcast team as we sit down with Jeremy Webber to hear his story. After starting his career as a nursery grower, Jeremy joined Koppert more than 15 years ago and worked his way up to a national manager role, lea...

Many young people who love plants never realize that horticulture is a thriving STEM field—one filled with innovation and numerous career paths. For decades, parents, teachers, and even school career counselors have unintentionally steered students away from the industry, believing it’s “just growing plants”. In reality, horticulture needs everything from conservation biologists and greenhouse tec...

What does it take to keep greenhouse plants healthy—and where can a career in this growing industry lead you? In this episode, Nick, a Ball Seed Company technical support specialist, shares what it’s like to troubleshoot plant problems and support diverse operations. We explore how technology, sustainability, and innovation are transforming greenhouse production, and why these changes are creating...

Planning a trip to England and looking for inspiration on garden sites to explore? This episode of Keeping It Green is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Join the team as they sit down with Penn State Extension Educator Ruth Benner and Dr. Margaret Hoffman, Coordinator of the Landscape Contracting Major at Penn State University. They share highlights from their recent travels abroad, off...

In this episode of Keeping It Green , the team sits down with Jeff Jabco, Executive Director of the Scott Arboretum and Gardens, to explore his horticulture journey and the evolution of the Swarthmore Arboretum and Gardens. Jeff shares how the Scott Arboretum began as the Scott Foundation—established in 1929 by Swarthmore College alumni Mr. and Mrs. Scott to showcase exceptional plants for Delawar...

Wendy’s journey into entomology began with outdoor adventures alongside her dad—hunting, fishing, and exploring nature. That foundation deepened during a unique high school program located inside a zoo. That experience sparked a growing interest in insects, which she carried through undergraduate into graduate school at Michigan State University to a quantitative ecology lab rich with butterfly da...

In this episode of Keeping It Green , the team explores the healing power of plants with guest Kelly Warnick—founder and owner of Horticulture 4 Health and President-Elect of the American Horticultural Therapy Association. Kelly shares her journey from working in greenhouse production and retail garden centers she starts to observe the connection between people and plants. She opens up about a per...

The Keeping It Green team travels to Oregon’s Willamette Valley to interview Leigh Geschwill, Owner and Sales Manager of F & B Farms and Nursery. Leigh offers a behind-the-scenes look at her family’s third-generation business, which includes a wholesale greenhouse operation producing annuals, organic herb and vegetable starts, potted flowers, fall décor, and poinsettias for the Pacific Northwe...

Join the Keeping It Green team as they sit down with one of Penn State Extension’s newest hires, Kelly Piccioni. Kelly shares her family's deep-rooted history in horticulture, starting with her great-grandfather, who bought Christmas trees by the railcar and sold them during the Great Depression—eventually leading the family into nursery production. A graduate of Delaware Valley College, Kell...

Join the Keeping It Green team as they chat with one of Penn State Extension’s newest hires, Patricia Prade. She studied forestry within the Brazilian university system with no interest in insects—until something changed. We'll explore what sparked her newfound fascination, her research on the invasive Brazilian pepper tree in Florida, and the role of classical biological control in managing...

Join the Keeping It Green team as they chat with Tom Bechtel, owner and CEO of Heritage Lawn and Landscape. Tom shares insights into the wide range of services his company provides across three counties in south-central Pennsylvania. He also delves into his strategies for building a strong workforce, focusing on employee retention through education and empowerment. Plus, discover how a chance meet...

Join us as Alyssa shares her journey in horticulture, which began with childhood greenhouse visits alongside her great-grandmother. In this episode, she talks about how her passion blossomed through school, eventually leading her to study horticulture at Penn College. Alyssa's career took root at Hershey Gardens, where she started as the Children’s Garden caretaker and, over 15 years, grew in...

In this episode, we chat with Andrew Bunting, vice president of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Andrew discusses the history of PHS and its four main priorities: creating healthy living environments, increasing access to fresh food, expanding economic opportunity, and building meaningful social connections. He also reviews some of their major programs, such as the Gol...

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Shaffer, Director of the Organic Land Care Program at the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). Jennifer discusses how NOFA's mission of sustainable farming extends to their Organic Land Care Program, which aims to bring organic farming principles to landscapes. This program is designed for landscaping professionals and offers the only intern...

Join the Keeping It Green podcast as they explore the role of a generalist in horticulture education with Penn State extension horticulturist Emelie Swackhamer. For decades, Emelie has been helping farmers, growers, homeowners, and landscapers with plant issues. In this episode, she shares her expertise on problems like the spotted lanternfly and delves into the challenges facing our native beech...

Weeks of rain and several days of warm weather have sparked an array of color and growth in Pennsylvania's landscapes. On the latest episode of The Green Industry podcast, our team examines the changes in plant and insect life occurring statewide. We delve into the prevalence of invasive species and wonder if there is connection between the uptick in 'mulch volcanoes' and social med...

Little Swatara Creek Flowers was born when Christine Williams decided to grow the flowers for her daughter's wedding on their family farm. This choice led to a shift, with cut flowers gradually taking over parts of the land traditionally dedicated to livestock and crops. Join us as we dive into how this business came to life, highlighting the importance of soil health and the knowledge Christ...

The Green Industry podcast team jumps into mid-west horticulture with Michelle Catania, the Green Industry Outreach Coordinator at Morton Arboretum. This interview offers a journey through time, exploring the legacy of the Morton family, pivotal in the inception of Arbor Day and the establishment of the sprawling 1800-acre Morton Arboretum. The interview extends beyond the Morton family, exploring...

Join us as Art and Abe Van Wingerden delve into their upbringing within the greenhouse business their parents pioneered . What began as a modest venture has blossomed into a sprawling enterprise spanning 450 acres across two locations, complemented by over 50 grower partners. Their conversation ranges from labor dynamics, where they prioritize fostering a world-class employee experience, to their...

Join the Keeping It Green podcast team as we talk with Sam Hoadley, the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center . Discover how a small organization makes a significant impact! During our conversation, we delve into their research trials, where the team assesses native plants and associated cultivars for their horticultural and ecological significance. And how many young children reali...

Join the podcast team as we trace Nancy Knauss' fascination with plants from an early age to leading horticulture tours across the world with her company, Xylem Excursions . Her philosophy is that these horticulture tours are a gateway to history, food, culture, and the connections that plants weave into our daily lives. Episode Hosts/Speakers:  Margaret Pickoff, Penn State Extension (host) ...

Is it possible to talk about brown tree snakes, Creedence Clearwater Revival, owls, swimming pools, Guam, bees, and Furby stuffed animals in one podcast? The Keeping it Green podcast team pulled it off with the assistance of Penn State Entomology Postdoctoral Scholar Nash Turley. Join us as we talk to the globe-trotting ecologist Nash Turley and his adventures in the world of ecological research....

Listeners are invited to explore disc golf courses' basic design and maintenance principles. With disc golf’s surging popularity, Penn State Extension Educator Glen Bupp discusses the unique aspects distinguishing disc golf courses from traditional ball golf counterparts. The team also looks at the pivotal issue of invasive species, showcasing how the management of disc golf courses serves as...

Join the podcast team as they journey to Connecticut to chat with Mark Sellew of Prides Corner Farms . Mark shares the intriguing story of transitioning from greenhouse tomatoes to ornamentals 44 years ago. With four locations in Connecticut, the farm now cultivates 3,000 plant varieties and employs 700 during peak seasons. Mark unveils secrets to the operation's success, including insights i...