Best Freshproduce Podcasts (2024)

1
Should we ban peat in horticulture? Plant collection holder Jonathan Sheppard and dahlia and sweet pea grower Darren Everest debate the peat ban 34:35

3h ago34:35

34:35

Both our guests on the HortWeek Podcast broadly agree with the reasons for a peat ban and agree there is a need to reduce carbon emissions to help fight climate change. But they are not equally convinced a peat ban is the way to do it. In the 'for' corner is cosmos and hollyhocks national collection holder and lobbyist Jonathan Sheppard. Sheppard s…

1
ICL's Sam Rivers on IPM planning 15:15

8d ago15:15

15:15

ICL's Sam Rivers digs down into Integrated Pest Management and speifically IPM planning. Sam describes what the current situation in the industry is with regards to IPM planning and details the 'hierarchy of control', which includes cultural, biological, physical and chemical methods. He gives examples of the different types of controls and talks a…

1
CPMA Produce Champion Lianne Rood 38:56

5d ago38:56

38:56

CPMA President Ron Lemaire is very pleased to introduce MP Lianne Rood as CPMA’s 2024 Produce Champion. Lianne is the Member of Parliament for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex in Ontario. Joining the conversation are CPMA Board Members, Steve Bamford of Fresh Advancements and Quinton Woods of Gwillimdale Farms. CPMA’s annual Produce Champion award is given t…

1
The benefits of GroundsFest 2024 with Chris Bassett, Jonathan Snowball and David Fisher 23:02

13d ago23:02

23:02

GroundsFest 2024 took place10 - 11 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Initial visitor numbers from day 1 (unaudited) of 4,738 were 40% up on last year, the show’s inaugural year. The podcast was recorded on day 2 of GroundsFest amongst the hustle and bustle of the show. HortWeek senior reporter Rachael Forsyth spoke with Chris Bassett, eve…

1
Outgoing HTA president Alan Down on his horticulture past, present and future 29:12

22d ago29:12

29:12

Alan Down is a gardening broadcaster and writer and current HTA president, shortly to be replaced by Will Armitage after two eventful years. He studied at Cannington and Pershore College of Horticulture and after a spell working Germany, he developed and managed Hillier Nurseries' container grown and seed propagation nurseries for nine years. For t…

1
Wakehurst director Susan Raikes on plans for the Sussex garden 20:05

25d ago20:05

20:05

A Sussex native, Susan Raikes, the new director of Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden in West Sussex (she joined in June) was familier with the garden since childhood. "We're Kew's younger, bigger and wilder sister and very much a botanic garden with a purpose...a site of horticultural and scientific excellence and a living laboratory where groun…

1
Why GroundsFest is a must-attend event with Chris Bassett, Wayne Grills, and Ian Graham 21:45

1M ago21:45

21:45

GroundsFest 2024 takes place on the 10 and the 11 of September at Stoneleigh Park, in Warwickshire. The free annual event is a must-attend for grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, designers & architects, gardeners, local authorities, estate managers and contractors. It combines indoor business and education opportunities with outdoor demonstra…

1
Horticulture Week Podcast with Colegrave Seabrook Foundation: working in and learning about horticulture at Ball Colegrave 36:20

1M ago36:20

36:20

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. This episode was recorded on location at Ball Colegrave where the great and the good from the horticultural industry gathered to celebrate 30 years of the Colegrave Foundation. In this episode Neville St…

1
Supply Chain Innovation and Sustainability: Iceless Broccoli 34:53

1M ago34:53

34:53

In this episode of Produce Talks, Dan Duguay, CPMA’s Sustainability Specialist, leads a discussion with Tom Pierce of Sobeys and Matt Aronson of Verdant Technologies. In an effort to improve sustainability in the supply chain for broccoli, these two companies worked together in a pilot project to remove ice from broccoli shipments and actually impr…

1
Raspberries as 'a work of art' with Lucy Wilkins of Angus Soft Fruits 18:56

1M ago18:56

18:56

This week's guest is Angus Soft Fruits' breeding program director, Lucy Wilkins. Angus Soft Fruits sells to the major multiples in UK, food service and wholesale and also exports fruit around the world to Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Angus is launching two revolutionary raspberry varieties: AVA™ Monet and AVA™ Dali - so named because they are,…

1
Green Solutions' Edwin Meijer on how to bulld good loyalty programmes 20:50

2M ago20:50

20:50

Edwin Meijer from Green Solutions speaks about the dos and don'ts of loyalty programmes for garden retailers. Edwin speaks about the role of smartphones in loyalty campaigns as the older generation uses social media more. Research from KPMG showed that more than 80% of the consumers expect a mobile-based loyalty programme. If you retired aged 65 in…

1
Leading horticulturists Matthew Bent and Graham Spencer on visiting Four Oaks Trade Show 17:41

2M ago17:41

17:41

Matthew Bent of Bents Garden and Home and Plants for Europe's Graham Spencer speak to HortWeek about the visitor experience at Four Oaks Trade Show. Four Oaks is the UK’s leading international exhibition for the whole of commercial horticulture. From production to point-of-sale, the breadth of exhibits on display is the show’s strength, attracting …

1
Turf care challenges with Sally Jarrett of Collier Turf Care 32:31

2M ago32:31

32:31

Sales development executive at Collier Turf Care Sally Jarrett is not a football fan but as stories of divot-strewn pitches she has sympathy for grounds keepers under the spotlight during the Euros tournament held in Germany last June. "When football pitches are getting ready for big tournaments, they undergo a lot of work...it could be that some o…

1
Consumers and the Retail Perspective 34:49

2M ago34:49

34:49

In this episode of Produce Talks, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Colin Chapdelaine of Whole Leaf, leads a discussion with 4 representatives from the retail sector. They provide their insights about changes in consumer buying and their strategies to enable…

1
Fruit futures with Oli Pascall of Clockhouse Farm and Alana Deacon of Hall Hunter and chair of NextGen Fruit Group 21:37

2M ago21:37

21:37

This week's podcast guests are leaders in the UK fruit growing sector: Alana Deakin, the new chair of the NextGen Fruit Group and head of operations at Hall Hunter and Oli Pascall, MD of Clockhouse Farm and the NextGen past president. They talk about their key takeaways from a recent visit to the USA including ag-tech, driven in part by scarcity an…

1
The reality of home-grown and imported food and their carbon emissions, with Louise Gray 21:17

3M ago21:17

21:17

The author of The Ethical Carnivore, Louise Gray takes a journalistic approach to questioning trusims about fruit and veg being better for you and the planet. Mike Berners-Lee wrote about the carbon footprint of 100 things in 2010's How Bad Are Bananas. As many businesses attempt to go carbon neutral, ethical and environmental sourcing is more of a…

1
Gardens for environmental and social change with horticultural activist, Tayshan Hayden-Smith 27:44

3M ago27:44

27:44

Tayshan Hayden-Smith's Wikipedia entry tells you he is a professional footballer from Ladbroke Grove, London. Nicknamed the "English Neymar" Tayshan had a burgeoning international career underway until the Grenfell Fire in 2017 took 72 lives from his local community. A quest for healing led him into the world of horticulture and his non-profit orga…

1
Glendale's Deric Newman on bringing former prison inmates into the workforce 27:30

3M ago27:30

27:30

This week's guest on the Horticulture Week Podcast is Glendale head of development, estate services, Deric Newman, The podcast was recorded shortly after the Perennial Quiz in February. HortWeek editor Matt Appleby and Deric, both on the 'Horticulture Geeks' team, discuss how they fared. Deric talks about his role and about Glendale's current busin…

1
Women in Produce - Mentorship 32:50

3M ago32:50

32:50

In this episode of Produce Talks, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Jessica Levac of Bellemont Powell leads a discussion with 4 other women as they speak about the power of mentorship, how they have benefited from mentors and how women can get involved in a …

1
Modiform on reducing plastic in horticulture and its move into retail packaging 23:14

3M ago23:14

23:14

This episode we hear from Peter Wessel and Shaun Herdsman from Modiform. Modiform offers solutions in the field of growing, transport, and packaging systems for the horticultural sector based on recycled raw materials. As one of the first horti-packaging companies to start looking into the recycling of plastic, Peter and Shaun talk about how and wh…

1
George Eustice on the peat ban, import/export friction and his legacy 22:17

3M ago22:17

22:17

Former Defra secretary of state George Eustice says there should be a new generation of UK fresh produce glasshouse production post-election, with a Defra strategy to support that. The retiring Conservative MP believes more can also be done on labour shortages. He supports a needs-based policy so sectors with shortages have sector-specific visas, a…

1
Moving from planting to growing new trees, with the Tree Council's Sara Lom 20:34

3M ago20:34

20:34

Trees, arguably, have never been so popular and Sarah Lom, chief executive of the Tree Council is enjoying their moment in the sun. Applications to the Tree Council's small grants fund [under £500] have doubled in the last 12 months. National Tree Week at the end of 2023 reached an estimated 30 million people and a schools programme is helping enga…

1
Career changers: how Neal Ritson found his way into horticultural production from the music industry 13:05

4M ago13:05

13:05

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available. Hear fro…

1
Changing careers from cycling to professional gardening - with Connie Hudson 10:43

4M ago10:43

10:43

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available. Hear fro…

1
Young Professionals – Attracting and Keeping Emerging Leaders 30:03

4M ago30:03

30:03

In this episode, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Kevin Sorichetti of EarthFresh Foods leads a discussion with Passion for Produce Alumni who speak about their produce journeys, what motivates them, and what they expect from their employer. Panellists inc…

1
Claire Austin on peony perfection 18:55

4M ago18:55

18:55

Renowned plantswoman Claire Austin, who has recently written a book called Peonies, a personal collection of 350 species, has revealed the secrets behind growing the increasingly popular herbaceous, intersectional and tree peonies. Austin, who owns the only retail nursery that also has a pub on site, in Sarn, mid-Wales, talks about the appeal of pe…

1
ICL's Hort Science Live previewed 11:47

4M ago11:47

11:47

HortWeek editor Matt Appleby speaks with ICL's Andrew Wilson, Matthew Miller, Steven Chapman and Sam Rivers to preview Hort Science Live. ICL Hort Science Live explore the latest technologies and management practices growers need to produce quality resilient plants in sustainable media. Wilson will lead the ‘How to rethink plant nutrition’workstati…

1
Building Sparsholt College's Chelsea Flower Show exhibit - with students Chloe, Hayden, Jessica and Joshua 10:23

5M ago10:23

10:23

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available. Hear fro…

1
Commonwealth War Graves Commission's David Richardson on horticulture and D-Day, CIOH and Kew 21:04

5M ago21:04

21:04

David Richardson is director of horticulture at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and leads a team of almost 850 horticulturists responsible for the maintenance and gardening of more than 2,400 sites across 50 countries. He speaks to HortWeek about how the CWGC will be at the heart of many D-Day events in the UK and France, and is a glo…

1
Horticulture legend and nature gardening innovator Chris Baines on rewilding, biodiversity, bird feeding and parks 30:33

5M ago30:33

30:33

Chris Baines is one of the UK’s leading independent environmentalists and an award-winning writer and broadcaster. A trained horticulturist and landscape architect, he spent some years practising and teaching landscape design but has spent most of his career a professional adviser to Government and other bodies including the National Trust, Nationa…

1
ICL: all about biostimulants in horticulture 16:46

5M ago16:46

16:46

Biostimulants and legislation is the topic for this week's podcast with ICL. ICL's Sam Rivers says there is confusion about what biostimulants are: micro-organisms that when applied to plants stimulate natural processes. They are not replacements for nutrition or IPM but can help overcome issues in plant production. Different types of biostimulants…

1
Fargro's Richard Hopkins on drones, sustainability and fairness in the supply chain 19:37

5M ago19:37

19:37

The second part of this conversation with Fargro's managing director, explores drones, sustainability and fairness in the supply chain. Fargro's interest in drones is part of a number of projects on data-driven decision-making for protected horticulture "to try and give a holistic view for agronomists and growers so they actually get some actionabl…

1
Careers in the agritech and hortitech industries with Oli Hilbourne of Outfield 22:30

6M ago22:30

22:30

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available. Hear fro…

1
A career in the agritech and hortitech industries with plant pathologist, Laura Bouvet 18:17

6M ago18:17

18:17

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available. This wee…

1
Fargro's Richard Hopkins on crop protection, peat, water and trade policy 19:37

6M ago19:37

19:37

Fargro managing director Richard Hopkins speaks to HortWeek about spring optimism, the upcoming general election and peat, water, border inspections and crop protection. He says growers should talk to policymakers using policy asks from the HTA, AIC and NFU. Key issues are peat, plant health, plant protection products and water. On crop protection …

1
Careers in the landscape industries with industry heavyweight and APL general manager, Phil Tremayne 18:51

6M ago18:51

18:51

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available. Hear fro…

1
ICL - all about water quality 13:46

6M ago13:46

13:46

ICL's Sam Rivers discusses the key issue of water quality with HortWeek editor Matt Appleby. We discover why water quality is so important and what characteristics you look at to determine water quality. Sam gives vital information on how you determine your water chemical properties and why is conductivity so important. He also relays important ins…

1
Careers in the landscape industries with APL WorldSkills gold medal-winning landscaper Anna Mcloughlin 16:15

7M ago16:15

16:15

HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople. At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available. Hear fro…

1
Leading growers Stefano Sogni of Zelari and Kyle Ross of Wyevale Nurseries on the Four Oaks Trade Show 2024 17:01

7M ago17:01

17:01

Four Oaks Trade Show is the UK’s leading international exhibition for the whole of commercial horticulture. From production to point-of-sale, the breadth of exhibits on display is the show’s strength, attracting a broad visitor base. The event takes place on a 23-acre nursery site in Cheshire UK, close to the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, covering …

1
The future of green jobs with Billy Knowles of the Youth Environmental Service 18:11

7M ago18:11

18:11

The Youth Environmental Service, which is backed by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, has won backing for a 'national service' for the environment. Dubbed a "green jobs guarantee" for a post-secondary school-age young people. Programme director Billy Knowles explains: "The Youth Environmental Service is an organisation that we set up with the ide…

1
ICL on vine weevil control 16:30

7M ago16:30

16:30

Vine Weevil control is one of the biggest issues for many growers and ICL deals with many queries about the pest. In this podcast, ICL's Sam Rivers explains what vine weevil is, what the pest's life cycle is and what plants they feed on. He highlights their effect on heuchera, primula and Portugese laurel. Control options start with cultural contro…

1
CPMA Innovation Zone Company Spotlight (Part 2) 39:52

7M ago39:52

39:52

Industry innovation is a key area of focus for CPMA. Over the years, CPMA has offered its members the opportunity to share their innovation efforts and facilitated connections to new innovators in the produce industry. In this episode, we hear from 3 different innovative companies about their products and their experiences at the Innovation Zone at…

1
Make Parks Sexy Again! - the joy of parks with Paul Rabbitts 30:02

7M ago30:02

30:02

Veteran, and very proud 'Parkie' Paul Rabbitts (currently working at Norwich City Council) fell into parks work after qualifying as a "really bad" landscape architect. Finding "everything was going down the route of being computer aided design and CAD - that sent a cold shiver down my back" he thought "I don't want to do this...which is one of the …

1
The potential and limitations of Biodiversity Net Gain with landscape architect Alexandra Steed 32:17

8M ago32:17

32:17

The requirement for developers to implement minimum Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) standards became law on 12 February, and having already worked on projects this week's Horticulture Week Podcast guest already has considerable experience in the field. Although Alexandra Steed was speaking from Vancouver for the podcast recording, her landscape practic…

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