Best Perennial Crops Podcasts (2025)

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Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture by J. Russell Smith - Part 1 44:54

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23d ago44:54

44:54

Host Jacob Grace reads from the first three chapters of Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture by J. Russell Smith, first published in 1929. This book, which is now in the public domain, has been extremely influential in the adoption of agroforestry in the United States, and in the origins of the Savanna Institute in particular. Show notes at www.Sava…

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Perfecting Pentas Production ft. Syngenta’s Dr. Jamie Gibson 40:52

1h ago40:52

40:52

Syngenta Flowers’ Dr. Jamie Gibson joins Tech On Demand host Bill Calkins to discuss best practices for growing high quality pentas—both seed and vegetative varieties. As Jamie said multiple times, one of the biggest keys to getting the most out of pentas is keeping them warm. But there’s a lot more to maximizing production and there are nuances to…

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Fertilizer Cost Savings Through Redox RAM Technology 15:14

4h ago15:14

15:14

With lackluster crop prices, volatile trade markets and rising fertilizer costs, there’s a lot of pressure on grower profitability. One helpful step is better managing input costs without giving up performance, which can be done through Redox technology, powered by RAM. RAM, Redox Active Molecules, is a scientific term that describes molecules that…

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Biosolutions for Ornamental Propagation ft. Koppert’s Kristen Fowler 43:18

23h ago43:18

43:18

This Tech On Demand podcast episode is all about propagation, biosolutions and starting your crops strong from the earliest stages. Host Bill Calkins is joined by Kristen Fowler, a technical sales consultant with Koppert who not only works with propagators but spent many years in leading propagation greenhouses as a grower—so she’s no stranger to t…

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Grow Your Sustainable Future with Proven Winners 1:07:26

6d ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Sustainability and environmental responsibility are high on the priority list for the Proven Winners team and their partners. Their new Eco+ plastic-free and industrial compostable pots are a key part of this plant powered package. Host Bill Calkins caught up with Proven Winners’ director of sales, Dave Konsoer and Danny Mishek, president of VistaT…

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Powering Productive Corn Fields in the Roughrider State 13:10

7d ago13:10

13:10

Farming carries a $41 billion a year impact in North Dakota, although growers face their share of hurdles, including salt buildup. Corn growers Tye Schneider and Chad Ottmar have found a successful crop nutrition program with technology from Redox. “I’ve been doing side by side trials,” Schneider said. “The Redox always looks better. It looks green…

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Grower Math: Greenhouse Cost Accounting ft. Stephen Steiner 24:27

8d ago24:27

24:27

Cost accounting is the process of calculating your fixed and variable costs of production and identifying on what products and activities you are spending your resources. It may not be glamorous, but taking the time for cost accounting can dramatically improve your business’s profitability. Ball Seed’s senior business analyst Stephen Steiner joins …

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1,281 Hours of Birds: Bioacoustic Monitoring with Nate Lawrence 1:05:14

9d ago1:05:14

1:05:14

In 2024, Savanna Institute began a bioacoustic monitoring program to record the sounds of birds and other wildlife each morning and evening at one of our research farms. Ecosystem scientist Nate Lawrence explains the initial results from this project and how we hope to expand our acoustic monitoring in the future to identify birds, amphibians, inse…

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Technical Podcast Episode 8: Our Biostimulant Certification and What It Means 12:39

14d ago12:39

12:39

There’s a crowded field of biostimulants, although precious few have the history, track record of success, and now certification that Redox has. The Fertilizer Institute has certified Mainstay® Calcium 2.0 as a certified biostimulant, which speaks directly to how it delivers on three crucial parts of successful farming: efficacy, safety, and compos…

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The Power of Seed ft. Josh Kirschenbaum 42:15

20d ago42:15

42:15

Warning: You’re going to hear the word SEED a lot in the next half hour or so, because our guest this episode is Josh Kirschenbaum, the seed supply manager at Ball Seed Company. He’s a seed guy all the way. In previous roles, Josh was PanAmerican Seed’s business and portfolio manager for the company’s vegetable lineup and before that was product de…

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Game Changing Technology for the Heartland 18:18

21d ago18:18

18:18

With 180 million acres of crops, the Midwest is an essential food producer, especially when it comes to corn and soybeans. More growers are utilizing cutting edge products from Redox Bio-Nutrients to get the most from their fields. Part of the education process includes the XPRT Farm in Missouri Valley, Iowa, with more than 500 acres of corn and so…

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The ABCs of Foliar Disease in Greenhouse & Nursery Crops ft. Janna from Envu 48:07

23d ago48:07

48:07

This episode includes critical information for both nursery and greenhouse producers! To discuss this episode’s topic, host Bill Calkins was joined by a fantastic guest from Envu—Dr. Janna Beckerman—who’s an experienced plant pathologist at heart and wanted to discuss three key diseases commonly encountered in greenhouse and nursery crop production…

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String and Traps 22:42

27d ago22:42

22:42

In this shorts episode I talk about string and traps, mundane, but perhaps important topics. After that I answer Gather's question about sourcing unusual plant species. I'm starting to run a bit low on shorts topics, so if you've got a request, please get in touch! If you want to support this podcast, you can tell a friend to check it out, subscrib…

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Ben NPK Revisited 17:54

28d ago17:54

17:54

Dedicated, diligent and competitive are characteristics that will take you far, and they are part of what makes Ben Jauregui in demand among California berry growers. Jauregui is a PCA with AG RX, a valued company that works with Redox products. He shepherds 2,000 acres of crops along California’s Central Coast, predominately strawberries. Part of …

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Pre-emergence Herbicide Tips & Tricks for Perennial Production 22:45

1M ago22:45

22:45

Corteva’s technical guru, flower grower and greenhouse and nursery “coach” Broch Martindale is back on the podcast to share strategies for controlling weeds in perennial production using products like Gallery, Dimension and Snapshot. Bill and Broch recorded this episode live in The Gardens at Ball. Over the course of this episode, Broch and host Bi…

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Redox Technical Podcast #7: Bolstering Farms in the Great Basin 34:26

1M ago34:26

34:26

The Great Basin region features diversity of crops and weather that can change remarkable fast. Redox Sales Agronomist Brett Reed works with many growers to ensure their crops are performing at their peak. He said a crucial factor for success among any field is achieving plant charge balance, where the focus is on charge per acre, not pounds of mat…

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Pears with Lauren Cormier and Blaine Fortin 1:09:15

1M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

This week I am talking with Lauren Cormier about pears! Lauren works for the Maine Heritage Orchard and is exploring, documenting and preserving the old pears of Maine. She tells me about the history of pears, their cultural needs and the issues they might run into, we also discuss the late Blaine Fortin, a hyrid pear breeder. After Lauren's interv…

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“Doing the Work You Can’t Not Do” with Sallie Calhoun 59:09

1M ago59:09

59:09

Sallie Calhoun, founder of the #NoRegrets Initiative and owner of Paicines Ranch on California's central coast, talks with staff member Jenn Ripp about how she got started ranching, her experiences as a philanthropist, and the importance of shifting from an agriculture based on chemistry to an agriculture based on biology. Show notes at www.savanna…

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Produce Perfection from Pine Valley Farms 20:01

1M ago20:01

20:01

For five generations spanning nearly a century, Pennsylvania’s Pine Valley Farms has been the epitome of two hallmarks in farming- premium quality and maximum yield. Grower Kegan Wright and his family devote significant hours on their farm and greenhouses, growing an A-Z list of produce. Their customer base is varied, including three retail outlets…

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Unsung Heroes of Successful Farming 23:47

2M ago23:47

23:47

Accurate data about meaningful technology is vitally important to productive farm fields. The Redox Research Farm is not only comprised of two PhD’s, but significant work is also carried out by the balance of the farm team. The group works cohesively to maintain the crops on the Research Farm, as well as collect data that helps prove out the breakt…

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Horticulture 2.0 (Part Two): Rethinking Our Industry with Jaime Kedrowski 24:10

2M ago24:10

24:10

Host Bill Calkins asked Jaime Kedrowski (Marketing Manager at Ball Seed Company) to join him for a discussion about the short-term future of our industry. This conversation was recorded live at the 2025 Ball Seed Customer Days open house event in West Chicago, IL. For this episode, Bill had three “big ideas” that he introduced to Jaime one at a tim…

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Horticulture 2.0 (Part One): Rethinking Our Industry with Seth Reed 30:40

2M ago30:40

30:40

Host Bill Calkins asked Seth Reed (Global Sustainability Manager at Ball Horticultural Company) to join him for a discussion about the short-term future of our industry. This conversation was recorded live at the 2025 Ball Seed Customer Days open house event in West Chicago, IL. For this episode, Bill had three “big ideas” that he introduced to Set…

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Composting 31:12

2M ago31:12

31:12

This week on Propaganda By the Seed Shorts I’m talking about composting. It's a big topic so even though this is a bit longer than average for a short episode, it's really just an introduction to the topic. I'll cover how different types of composting work and then focus in on my favorite, the static pile. In the Q&A we're talking berry rakes. If y…

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Plant Growth Regulators ft. SePRO’s JC Chong 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

In this episode of the Tech On Demand podcast, brought to you by GrowerTalks, host Bill Calkins sat down with SePRO’s Technical Development Manager (and PestTalks e-newsletter editor) JC Chong to discuss plant growth regulators. PGRs are critical for greenhouse professionals but really haven’t been covered much on the podcast. Now’s the time! JC an…

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Helping Strawberry Fields Forever Thrive 17:09

2M ago17:09

17:09

California grows 90 percent of the nation’s strawberries, and many people are devoted to ensuring continued success for this $3 billion industry. The Cal Poly Strawberry Center has been a model for practical research, with continued innovations in pest and disease fighting, as well as technology advancements. One of the more visually captivating ne…

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Meet Brian Lish, AG RX CEO 16:32

2M ago16:32

16:32

Providing growers with effective plant nutrition is a balancing act alongside regulation and consumer demands. Independent Ag Retailers, including AG RX along California’s Central Coast, play a pivotal role. AG RX CEO Brian Lish said their expertise and product flexibility help them provide the best solutions to growers. “At times I eat at McDonald…

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Gaining Ground in the Midwest 30:50

2M ago30:50

30:50

Aptly known as America’s breadbasket, the U.S. Midwest is a powerhouse for corn and soybean production. Growers with generations invested in the land often seek ways to stay competitive during frequently volatile times. The Redox Midwest team has generated growing interested in our bio-nutrition technology, combining highly efficient, impeccably so…

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Rusted Plowshare Farm Tour with Josh Payne 45:35

2M ago45:35

45:35

Farmer Josh Payne leads a tour of his farm in central Missouri and describes his management of beef cattle, sheep, and hogs in a rotational grazing silvopasture system with chestnuts and additional agroforestry crops.By Savanna Institute

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Audio Files: Paying For That Efficiency Upgrade 8:44

3M ago8:44

8:44

PAYING FOR THAT EFFICIENCY UPGRADE FROM THE SUMMER 2025 ISSUE OF INSIDE GROWER MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY DAVID KUACK NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS EXCERPT: When it comes to lowering operating costs for controlled environment growers, energy and labor are top of mind. The cost of labor is expected to continue to increase as the availability, hiring and retenti…

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Here’s to Healthy Cows! 21:38

3M ago21:38

21:38

The dairy industry is not only a massive part of agriculture, but also a critical part of the U.S. economy and our nation’s food security. The University of Idaho’s CAFE Project will provide a major boost, as the nation’s largest research dairy is on track to be up and running next spring. This high-tech facility will comprehensively cover major fa…

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Favorite Plants with Linda Black Elk 41:49

3M ago41:49

41:49

In this episode I chat with Linda Black Elk about a few of her favorite plants. Linda is a ethobotanist and plant educator who is currently the Educational Programming and Community Outreach Director at North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems. You can follow her on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and Youtube In the Q & A I try to answer Oli…

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Audio Files: Getting The Most Out Of Trials 7:48

3M ago7:48

7:48

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF TRIALS FROM THE JUNE 2025 ISSUE OF GREEN PROFIT MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY DYLAN SEDMAK NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS EXCERPT: Modern day variety trials—side-by-side comparisons of primarily annuals (along with some perennials, vegetables and even woodies)—take place across an array of institutions in North America. Beyond universities,…

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Audio Files: Expand Your Candidate Pool 10:25

3M ago10:25

10:25

EXPAND YOUR CANDIDATE POOL FROM THE JUNE 2025 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY TODD DOWNING NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS EXCERPT: Our industry is one of the most affected by the massive exit of so many retiring Baby Boomers who make up the green industry. Couple this with lower numbers of incoming talent and the demand for talent continues to f…

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Alan Tarp- Lessons Learned from Five Decades in Agriculture 15:28

3M ago15:28

15:28

Strong relationships and providing excellent service are hallmarks to successful business. They have been keys to success for Alan Tarp of Integrated Crop in the Salinas Valley. Tarp has worked with growers on crop nutrition for nearly 50 years, and he’s a big believer in Redox technology. “Redox has become very integral in what I do,” Tarp said. “…

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Hoch Orchard Part 2: Carmelita Gardens, Belize (2025 Interview) 1:31:08

3M ago1:31:08

1:31:08

Harry and Jackie Hoch describe their work establishing tropical agroforestry in Carmelita Gardens, Belize, and discuss what has happened with their farmland in Minnesota since the 2018 interview heard in the previous episode. Show notes at www.savannainstitute.org/PerennialAFBy Savanna Institute

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Problems with Permaculture / Implications of Hybridization 30:32

3M ago30:32

30:32

This week on Propaganda By the Seed Shorts I’m talking about the problems with permaculture and attempting to answer Emma’s questions about the implications of hybridization on native plant populations. For more on the A topic you might try The Poor Prole’s Almanac episode What's Wrong with Permaculture, Anyway? If you want to support this podcast,…

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Agriculture Prospers from a Strong Next Generation 12:47

3M ago12:47

12:47

The average U.S. grower is over 58 years of age. The number of family farms in America is shrinking. For health and the well-being of our country, we need a strong contribution from the next generation. Fortunately, there’s a growing number of talented younger people getting involved. Allisen Carmichael, Director of Operations with Sierra Pacific F…

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Stop Stressing About Perennial Production! (A Panel Discussion) 36:59

3M ago36:59

36:59

This episode is a bit different—because it’s a live recording from a panel moderated by host Bill Calkins at the Darwin Perennials Day event in The Gardens at Ball on June 18, 2025. The audio quality is not as good as you’re used to hearing from this podcast, because it’s pulling from microphones in a tent with lunch being served and hundreds of gr…

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Navigating a Successful Summer 26:44

3M ago26:44

26:44

Sunny, warm conditions are key to crop development, but how can growers protect their crops when the inevitable heatwave hits? Fortunately, Redox provides great technology to keep plants strong. diKaP® includes a powerful biostimulant along with excellent phosphorus and potassium nutrition to maintain plant respiration during stress events. The end…

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Preemergence Weed Control for Greenhouses & Nurseries with Janna and Steve from Envu 48:19

3M ago48:19

48:19

This episode includes critical information for both nursery and greenhouse producers! You may or may not know exactly how much time, labor and ultimately money you spend each year managing weeds in outdoor and indoor production, but chances are it’s a lot. If you don’t have protocols and strategies in place for weed control, that can lead to even b…