Best Brenn Jones Podcasts (2025)

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Jay Willmot champions automated greenhouse for leafy greens 15:40

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16d ago15:40

15:40

Thanks to Finnish technology, greenhouse-grown lettuce is taking off in Canada. The Grower is Digging Deeper and speaking with Jay Willmot, CEO, Haven Greens. Jay has built a five-acre facility at King City, Ontario with plans to double the footprint. Launched in April 2025, the state-of-the-art operation integrates water, energy and nutrition expe…

1
Chrissy Wozniak explains benefits of AI-driven sprayers 12:35

2M ago12:35

12:35

The footprint of artificial intelligence is getting bigger in horticulture. The most recent example is the Ecorobotix sprayer that’s now in use in Québec and Ontario vegetable farms. Algorithms have been developed for specific crops ranging from carrots to broccoli. And most recently, the technology can thin lettuce. This means that growers are bet…

1
Trevor Jones prepares for ag ministers’ meeting in Winnipeg 17:14

3M ago17:14

17:14

The annual meeting of federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers will be a reset in mid-July 2025 with a new federal minister in Heath MacDonald and five new provincial ministers. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the July 2025 cover story and speaking with Ontario’s Hon. Trevor Jones. Jones is one of the new faces, vowing to build cons…

1
Benny Nabuurs explains wild blueberry trade 15:39

4M ago15:39

15:39

So far, 2025 has been a roller-coaster for growers who export to the U.S. With the exception of a few days in early March, tariffs have not been applied on produce under the CUSMA deal. But every commodity association must look at the current trading environment for clues to the future. One example is Maritime-grown wild blueberries. The Grower is …

1
Chris Hedges is optimistic about the 2025 apple crop 11:44

5M ago11:44

11:44

As chair of the Ontario Apple Growers, Chris Hedges shares an overview of the provincial apple industry – its investments in high-density orchards, desirable apple varieties, controlled atmosphere storages and modern packing lines. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the May 2025 cover story titled 'Wind’s up and the weather is rising for Canadian …

1
Richard Lee details the effects of U.S. tariffs on greenhouse vegetables 18:07

6M ago18:07

18:07

As general manager of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, Richard Lee is in close touch with his growers and many stakeholders. With 85 per cent of production destined to the U.S., Trump’s tariffs of 25% hit growers hard for three days in early March 2025. In this Digging Deeper podcast, Richard explains how the $6 million hit may be a foreca…

1
Bill Zylmans laments looming U.S. tariffs 16:35

7M ago16:35

16:35

Bill Zylmans, chair of the Canadian Potato Council and a grower from Delta, British Columbia, says the threatened 25% U.S. tariffs are unprecedented in his career. President Trump insists they are scheduled to start March 4. In this Digging Deeper podcast Zylmans claims that no side is a winner in this war. Seed growers will be first to feel the pa…

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Episode 114: 2025 Millrose Games

7M ago

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The 2025 Millrose Games was one for the record books, literally, as three World Records were set, including Yared Nuguse’s 3:46 in the marquee Wanamaker Mile (a record made to be broken, given Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s subsequent 3:45). In Episode 114 Siobhan and Brenn break down the action, and Cloud259’s ace photographer Andy Kiss joins the booth to d…

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Lorna McKercher talks about the changing nature of financing horticulture 13:44

8M ago13:44

13:44

2025 is shaping up to be a year of uncertainty. New technology costs are soaring. Climate change is on the radar. And the threat of U.S. tariffs is looming large. The Royal Bank of Canada has a large loan portfolio to agriculture of which eight per cent is horticulture. In this Digging Deeper podcast, The Grower speaks with Lorna McKercher, nationa…

1
Shawn Brenn: the realities of specialties 17:43

10M ago17:43

17:43

Bok choy. Rapini. Fennel. These are examples of the specialty produce that Ontario growers are bringing to market based on signals from brokers and retailer buyers. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the December 2024 cover story and speaking with Shawn Brenn, potato grower. Shawn lists the opportunities but also the risks for these niche markets.…

1
Dan Duguay is advocating for compostable PLU stickers 20:02

11M ago20:02

20:02

Price-look up stickers, for the most part, are plastic. They are the size of a thumbprint, yet they “gum up” the composting process when it comes to separating them from organic food waste. The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) has noted that Europe is moving towards a certified compostable PLU by 2028. The Grower is Digging Deeper behi…

1
Pascal Forest reflects on the processing vegetable sector 9:52

11M ago9:52

9:52

Climate change and global competition are challenging growers of processing vegetables in Ontario and Québec. Unseasonal rains damaged the Québec crop in 2023. Imports from European countries led North American processors to cut contracts in 2024. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the October 2024 cover story and speaking with Pascal Forest, pres…

1
Matt Aronson champions iceless broccoli with Sobeys’ Tom Pierce 21:14

1y ago21:14

21:14

Verdant Technologies Inc. has figured out how to use 1-MCP, an ethylene inhibitor, to keep broccoli fresh from field to fork. The new technology – a sheet placed in each box in the field -- is extending shelf life for a fragile commodity to seven to 10 days. How quickly the innovation is adopted depends on acceptance through the entire value chain.…

1
Marcus Janzen comments on climate policy risk 17:15

1y ago17:15

17:15

Cumulative catastrophic weather events over the last four years have left many Okanagan fruit growers with little to no fruit to sell in the summer of 2024. Government response, at the British Columbia and federal levels, has been tepid at best. The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada continue to advocate for more rapid monetary support but presi…

1
Amanda Doughty builds relationships with TFW workers 15:57

1+ y ago15:57

15:57

Responsible for human resources at Sandy Shore Farms, Amanda Doughty has embraced not only the work ethic but the community ethic at this asparagus, bell pepper and onion operation near Port Burwell, Ontario. She is focused on the physical and mental welfare of the 200-plus temporary foreign workers from Mexico and the Caribbean. The Grower is Digg…

1
John Cline explains thinning technology for tender fruit 12:37

1+ y ago12:37

12:37

University of Guelph pomology professor Dr. John Cline has spent his research career in not only apples, but tree fruit. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the May 2024 cover story and speaking with Dr. Cline. He shares information on his most recent trials with a plant growth regulator for peaches and nectarines, that could shave 40 to 50 per cen…

1
Richard Lee takes stock of greenhouse vegetable sector growth 24:57

1+ y ago24:57

24:57

The Ontario greenhouse vegetable sector, now valued at close to $2 billion in farmgate value, is facing regulatory burdens on several fronts. The federal carbon tax is one, but Chatham-Kent’s municipal development charges for water and wastewater will escalate from $179,000 per acre in 2024 to $366,000 per acre by 2029. The Grower is Digging Deeper…

1
Brian Rideout takes big strides to adopting biologicals 21:07

1+ y ago21:07

21:07

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is registering dozens of biopesticides but the uptake by growers hasn’t been as robust. These new products offer suppression, not total control of insects and disease. That means a management shift in how to integrate them with conventional chemistry. There’s also a mind shift – how much faith do growers…

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Episode 113: 2024 Millrose Games

1+ y ago

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In our latest episode Brenn and Siobhan share impressions of the latest jaw-dropping performances at the Millrose Games. In this Olympic year, Josh Kerr and Elle St. Pierre showed particular star power. As the hosts approach milestone birthdays, goal setting gets talk time, including a new cloud.By Brenn Jones & Gregg Lemos-Stein

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Tyler McCann argues for more agriculture investment 14:28

1+ y ago14:28

14:28

As managing director of the Canadian Agrifood Policy Institute, Tyler McCann sees a need for more investment if agriculture is to meet its superpower goals in food production. That means more foresight amongst both public and private institutions and ambition to build the infrastructure that’s needed for a climate-resilient sector. In this Digging …

1
Jessica Solanki looks to next-generation challenges 13:40

1+ y ago13:40

13:40

Many farmers -- and farm leaders -- are on the cusp of retirement. The Grape Growers of Ontario is planning for the future by sponsoring a Next-Generation Committee. About 15 to 30 growers, chaired by Jessica Solanki, is much more than a social group. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the January 2024 cover story and speaking with Jessica. She sh…

1
Senator Robert Black is digging into soil health 11:51

2y ago11:51

11:51

Soil health and climate change are linked. That’s one of the emerging themes from a Senate of Canada study into the state of the nation’s soils, the building block of the agri-food industry. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the December 2023 cover story and speaking with Senator Robert Black. After a year of criss-crossing the country, talking t…

1
Fernando Borja shares recruiting experience with Guatemalan workers 12:03

2y ago12:03

12:03

FERME Québec, a non-profit agency, was responsible for bringing more than 16,000 temporary foreign workers from Guatemala to the province in 2023. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the November 2023 cover story titled 'Guatemalan workers bridge the labour gap for Québec growers'. We are speaking with FERME Québec executive director Fernando Borja…

1
Justin Cantafio explains why farmers’ markets matter more than ever 23:58

2y ago23:58

23:58

The pandemic tested the logistics and marketing acumen of farmers’ markets like never before. As executive director of Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia, Justin Cantafio led a remarkable drive that resulted in the growth of provincial markets from 36 to 45. In this Digging Deeper podcast, he shares a perspective on the economic and social impact of t…

1
Peter Quiring explains why he started an R & D Centre 15:37

2y ago15:37

15:37

As founder of a greenhouse building company and then as a grower himself, Peter Quiring has witnessed lots of growth over 30 years. Nature Fresh Farms is headquartered in Leamington, Ontario. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the September 2023 cover story and speaking with him about his ambition to grow blackberries, raspberries and leafy greens…

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Jaime Bustamante explains DRC mandate 17:45

2y ago17:45

17:45

The Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation is a hub of expertise that touches most aspects of produce trade in Canada. If you’re a grower/shipper, broker or freight contractor, then you know how produce gets moved every day. And with perishable products, sometimes things go wrong. Jaime Bustamante, Director of Trading Assistance at FVDR…

1
Dan Froese explains the journey of field cucumbers to pickles 10:08

2y ago10:08

10:08

Ontario’s processing vegetable sector is valued at more than $100 million. Hand-harvested field cucumbers make up $16 million, a niche that’s often forgotten. Many tons go to American processors to be made into a variety of pickles. The stubby ends, known as nubs and crooks, are used to make relish. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the August 20…

1
Sukhpaul Bal promotes first Canadian Cherry Month 13:33

2y ago13:33

13:33

British Columbia’s $160 million cherry sector has grown substantially in recent years thanks to new markets in China, Japan and more recently South Korea. The 400-member BC Cherry Association is now raising awareness of their stone fruit domestically. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the July 2023 cover story and speaking with Sukhpaul Bal and R…

1
Ron Lemaire analyzes supply chain challenges 25:27

2+ y ago25:27

25:27

Shipping and logistics are still the crux of getting fresh produce to consumers. Ron Lemaire, president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, shares both a global perspective and domestic context of the pain points that need to be addressed to protect the cold chain. These challenges are near-term to ensure Canadian food security.…

1
Doug Balsillie praises heritage apple varieties for hard cider 16:22

2+ y ago16:22

16:22

The trend to hard ciders is not abating. The challenge is to grow apple varieties that will adapt to a fruiting wall and mature to a size that’s economical to pick. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind May 2023 cover story and speaking with Doug Balsillie. Doug and his wife Leslie Huffman have committed two acres of The Fruit Wagon’s 35 acres to thi…

1
Orchardist Brian Rideout operates with less access to fungicides 15:29

2+ y ago15:29

15:29

Crop protection decisions are harder than ever this spring as tree fruit growers seek alternatives to group M fungicides, the ones with multi-site modes of action. Government regulators have restricted their use as well as other products such as mancozeb and captan. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind March's cover story and speaking with Brian Rid…

1
Episode 112: 2023 Millrose Games

2+ y ago

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This year we offer a fresh look at the Millrose Games as journalist Siobhan Crise shares funny and profound observations and a race-ready takeaway from her first time at the event.By Brenn Jones & Gregg Lemos-Stein

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ICL Group offers fertilizer and mineral solutions 10:49

2+ y ago10:49

10:49

The ICL-Group is a global manufacturer of specialty minerals with experience in countries as diverse as Brazil, India and the U.S. In this Grower Calling podcast, Karen Davidson, editor of The Grower, speaks with Jason Haegele. Jason explains what this specialty plant nutrition company is offering to Canada.…

1
Aron Hoff extols new housing for temporary foreign workers 15:52

2+ y ago15:52

15:52

Meyers Fruit Farms, a tree fruit and floral greenhouse business near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, has invested in five new units that will accommodate up to 40 temporary foreign workers. Planning the design has been mindful of worker comfort and privacy. Karen Davidson, editor of The Grower, is Digging Deeper behind the February 2023 cover story a…

1
Elaine Froese coaches family farm transitions 15:40

2+ y ago15:40

15:40

There is no season harder than succession. That’s why alignment of needs and goals is so important for farm families looking to transition roles and assets. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the January 2023 cover story titled 'Farm transfers are about more than land and legacy.' Editor, Karen Davidson, speaks with Elaine Froese, Canada’s farm wh…

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Young and competitive David and Jenn VanDeVelde 17:47

3y ago17:47

17:47

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer Competition will spotlight seven regional winners at its final event in Saskatoon, November 23-27, 2022. Three out of seven competitors are from horticulture. One of those couples is David and Jenn VanDeVelde, berry growers and on-farm retailers from Delhi, Ontario. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the December …

1
Episode 111: NYC Marathon & Sandy Hook Promise

3y ago

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We return to the virtual studio to chat with Siobhan Crise, who is running her third NYC Marathon for Sandy Hook Promise. We discuss the organization’s important work, and Siobhan shares a fresh tip for the 50,000+ hearty souls lacing up on Sunday.By Brenn Jones & Gregg Lemos-Stein

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Next-generation fertilizers are here and now 10:29

3y ago10:29

10:29

Israel Chemicals Limited, or the ICL-Group, is a global manufacturer of specialty minerals. The delivery of these products are through controlled release fertilizers, foliar fertilizers and fertigation fertilizers, just to name a few. Jason Haegele, North American agronomy lead explains how these products are used in the horticultural sector.…

1
Chris Veillon leads branding strategy for greenhouse produce 17:09

3y ago17:09

17:09

The journey from commodities to brands is traced by the chief marketing officer, a 15-year veteran of the greenhouse industry. The branding of greenhouse vegetables has reached such sophistication that a kitchen was built inside the new marketing quarters of the Leamington, Ontario operation. It serves as the hub for creating recipes and content fo…

1
Vivid Machines comes alive for apple growers 20:59

3y ago20:59

20:59

Jenny Lemieux, co-founder and CEO of this Toronto start-up, is conducting trials with nine apple growers to solve a common problem: crop load management. One of those growers, Kirk Kemp, Algoma Orchards, Newcastle, Ontario, is excited that computer vision technology can count blossoms and fruitlets with more accuracy than he can. The Grower is 'Dig…

1
Davina Komienski charts progress with on-farm market 15:06

3y ago15:06

15:06

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well as growers become marketers who encourage consumers to “eat the seasons.” The Grower is Digging Deeper behind the July 2022 cover story and speaking with Davina Komienski, owner of Sam's Place Farm Market. Davina shares how fresh produce grown at Komienski Farms is supplemented with other fruits and vege…

1
Dino DiLaudo launches Apeel protected greenhouse cucumbers 9:45

3+ y ago9:45

9:45

Westmoreland Topline Farms is the first in Canada to launch greenhouse-grown, plastic-free English cucumbers in June 2022. The Grower speaks with Dino DiLaudo about the edible coating, developed by Apeel Sciences, made from the seeds and skins of other fruits and veggies. A major Canadian retailer is partnering on the initiative with consumer messa…

1
Stewart Lapage comments on climate change and carbon taxes 13:12

3+ y ago13:12

13:12

As growers, marketers and distributors of produce, the Oppenheimer Group knows the challenges first-hand. Stewart Lapage is steering through multiple crises as executive director of operations and logistics based in Calgary, Alberta. The Grower is Digging Deeper behind our May 2022 cover story and speaking with Stewart. We discuss how the pandemic,…

1
Colin Chapdelaine shepherds growth of greenhouse strawberries 14:16

3+ y ago14:16

14:16

The drive for more homegrown produce is intensifying as global events shake up norms and supply chains. The Star Group’s foray into strawberries is one example of extending its greenhouse vegetable expertise at BC Hothouse. Karen Davidson, editor of The Grower, is Digging Deeper into April 2022 cover story and speaking with Colin Chapdelaine.…

1
Ryan Brewster tracks changes to softer chemistries 15:28

3+ y ago15:28

15:28

As a grape and tree fruit crop consultant in the Niagara peninsula, Ryan Brewster is counselling his clients how to move away from some pesticides that are harsh on beneficial insects. One cultural method is to spray summer oils. Another is to plant late-flowering-cover crops between the rows to attract beneficial insects that eat bad bugs. Karen D…

1
Episode 110: 2022 Millrose Games

3+ y ago

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The Millrose Games featured its trademark thrilling distance races, and we’ve got audio clips from the Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Geordie Beamish, Josh Kerr, Alicia Monson, and other protagonists who took it out hard and closed with a vengeance. Coach James Chu joins the booth to offer his Chuey Awards and race-by-race insights.…

1
Chuck Baresich looks to the future of robotic weeders 15:33

3+ y ago15:33

15:33

Enthusiasts of precision agriculture are now looking to robots to alleviate labour shortages. Karen Davidson, editor of The Grower, is 'Digging Deeper' in the February 2022 cover story and speaking with Chuck Baresich, general manager of Haggerty Creek Inc.Chuck is demonstrating robotic weeders for various crops in different soil types to see how t…

1
John Visser offers context to the potato wart findings in PEI 11:27

3+ y ago11:27

11:27

The chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board is confident in the 20-year long-term management plan for potato wart, a fungal disease that’s been rarely seen by lifetime growers. He’s seeking answers from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on why the border is closed to PEI exports of seed and fresh potatoes to the United States. And why the …

1
Episode 109: Fraud Street Run; Junk Miles podcasters Chip and Jeff

4y ago

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Junk Miles podcast hosts Chip Chantry and Jeff Lyons describe how they used a most unlikely event in Philadelphia to mobilize runners, raising tens of thousands of dollars for a local food bank. Gregg describes embodying Rudy Giuliani at the Fraud Street Run, and in a bonus interview we turn from Philly to New York State and introduce Dr. Ammitai W…

1
Kyle Oakley explains his tunnel vision 12:54

4y ago12:54

12:54

Apple grower Kyle Oakley and his family have transitioned to market gardeners in the last decade with the help of high tunnels. With the purchase of Goldsmith’s Farm Market & Bakery in Thornbury, Ontario, they are confident enough to expand with two greenhouses to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and flowers. It’s an example of the trend to more p…