Best Lab Talk With Laura Podcasts (2025)

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Landscapes of the Soul: the Science and Spirituality of Attachment with Cyd + Geoff Holsclaw 55:36

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3d ago55:36

55:36

Presence & Practice is for people who want more than ideas—they want to live differently. Here, John & Sungshim Loppnow guide you through spiritual practices (like Immanuel Journaling), relational skills, and body-based awareness that awaken healing, connection, and purpose. Tune in to deepen your self-knowing, grow in love, and anchor your soul in…

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Food Innovation, Tariffs & TikTok Moments and guest James Maitland, CEO of Les Aliments Dainty Foods Inc. 53:35

6d ago53:35

53:35

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver their trademark mix of hard-hitting food industry analysis and an insightful conversation with a top Canadian food leader. The episode kicks off with a wide-ranging news segment. Michael and Sylvain debate Canada’s “Big Five”…

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Ep.59 - Insights and Actionable Takeaways From the Second Annual State of Succession and Exit Planning in the Horticulture Industry Survey 47:00

12d ago47:00

47:00

During Cultivate’25, Chris Cimaglio and Ken Lane of PivotPoint Business Solutions shared results from the second annual State of Succession and Exit Planning in the Horticulture Industry Survey. In this episode, I talk to Chris about key findings from the survey, why it also includes industry pulse questions covering everything from tariffs to labo…

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Help Wanted? Temporary Foreign Worker Debate & Boldly Delicious Seafood with Charlotte Langley, Founder of Nice Cans 59:17

13d ago59:17

59:17

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois tackle the latest headlines shaping Canada’s food and retail landscape before welcoming back a dynamic entrepreneur reshaping the seafood category. The conversation begins with a heated national debate: should Canada eliminate the Temporary Foreign Worke…

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Kraft Heinz Shake-Up, Meal Kit Growth, Crown Royal tears & guest Greg Mercer, Investigative Reporter & Author, The Lobster Trap: The Global Fight for A Seafood on the Brink 59:02

20d ago59:02

59:02

Season Six, Episode Two of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, blends sharp industry commentary with a fascinating guest interview. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick off with a rapid-fire news roundup before diving deep into the global lobster story with award-winning journalist and author Greg Mercer. The news segm…

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Forth Valley Sensory Centre with Laura Cluxton, Lauren Gilmour and Rowan Ferguson 31:19

21d ago31:19

31:19

Laura Cluxton, Lauren Gilmour, and Rowan Ferguson - all representatives of the Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Falkirk - join us to discuss the vital role the centre plays in the lives of people of all ages. They talk about the services being provided by the centre, the community focus of its work, and the different ways that people can become invol…

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Ep.58 - Meadow Lab Founder Claire Chambers on Native Plants and Sustainability 19:22

26d ago19:22

19:22

Claire Chambers is the founder of Meadow Lab, which develops plant products that accelerate the creation of biodiverse and high-performance landscapes. Meadow Lab is focused on the native plant space and has developed a wildflower sod that makes installing meadows faster, easier, and more scalable. I recently spoke with Claire about trends in the n…

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Season Six Debut: Elbows Down on Tariffs, the China Conundrum, and Canada’s De Minimis Decisions 41:54

27d ago41:54

41:54

Season Six of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, kicks off with hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois diving into a whirlwind of summer news, trade turbulence, and big-picture food industry shifts. This debut episode sets the tone for what promises to be a dynamic and thought-provoking season. Michael and Sylvain begin with…

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Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, on Tariffs, Trade & the Future of Food Innovation 19:45

1M ago19:45

19:45

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, for a candid conversation recorded live at the SIAL Canada show. Born in Calgary and now based in New York, Brian brings a unique global perspective on food, trade, and the evolution of consumer behavior. Brian s…

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Ep.57 - A Conversation With Joche Smith Jr., the New President of Costa Farms 33:17

1M ago33:17

33:17

In early July, Joche Smith Jr. was named president of Costa Farms. Smith succeeds his father, Joche Smith Sr., and will oversee day-to-day operations across Costa’s domestic and international business units, and lead strategic initiatives that position the company for continued growth. I recently caught up with Joche to talk more about his backgrou…

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Pine-Covered Perfection: Moosbrugger’s Dieter Heidegger on Global Austrian Award-Winning Cheese 17:45

1M ago17:45

17:45

In this flavour-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Canada Food Innovation Show, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois welcome Dieter Heidegger of Moosbrugger, for an in-depth conversation about the art, tradition, and innovation behind Austria’s award-winning cheeses. Dieter shares the fascinating story of Moos…

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Butter Believe It: Shruti Priya Agarwal & Akshay Kalekar Stir Up the Market with Whipdd 20:51

2M ago20:51

20:51

In this flavourful episode of The Food Professor Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Shruti Priya Agarwal and Akshay Kalekar, the co-founders of Whipdd, a rising Canadian food startup transforming the humble butter into a flavour-packed experience. Born from a spark in a home kitchen in India, their story is one of culinary creativity, entrepren…

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“Digital Pioneer Spirit” by Thomas A. Christie 28:51

2M ago28:51

28:51

A mystery interviewer quizzes author Dr Tom Christie about his book Digital Pioneer Spirit: The Freewheeling Creative Innovation of Mel Croucher on the Home Microcomputer. They discuss the infamously nonconformist counter-cultural genius, Mel Croucher - the acknowledged founder of the UK computer games industry - and explore his extraordinary caree…

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Ep.56 - A Preview of AmericanHort’s Impact Washington With Matt Mika 30:41

2M ago30:41

30:41

AmericanHort’s Impact Washington Fly-in Summit of the nation’s capitol, which takes place in mid-September, gives growers and other members of the floriculture industry a chance to connect with policymakers and advocate for their businesses, and for the industry. In this episode, I talk to Matt Mika, Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affair…

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Bananas, Business & A Better World: Meet Tamara Al Dip & Yazeed Yasin, Co-Founders of NanaShake, winners of the SIAL Canada CPG pitch competition in Toronto 22:14

2M ago22:14

22:14

In this deliciously inspiring episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois sit down live in person in Toronto at the SIAL Food Innovation show with Tamara Al Dip and Yazeed Yasin, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind NanaShake, a frozen treat brand making waves with their vegan-friendly, upcycled ban…

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The Bulldog Behind the Brand: Sauce Boss Pierre-Olivier Drouin on Building Quebec's Firebarns 20:45

2M ago20:45

20:45

In this sizzling episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Canada food innovation show in Toronto, co-hosts Michael and Sylvain welcome Pierre-Olivier Drouin, Co-Founder of Firebarns, the fast-growing Quebec-based condiment company that brings flavour-first hot sauces to shelves across North America. Pierre-Olivier shares his…

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Ep.55 - Two Brands, One Show: Greenhouse Grower and CEAg World Live From Cultivate’25 37:14

2M ago37:14

37:14

Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks and CEAg World Content Lead Kristin Zeit were both at Cultivate’25 in Columbus, OH, this past week. In this episode, Brian and Kristin recorded a live conversation on the trade show floor, where they discussed impressions of Cultivate, common challenges and opportunities facing the greenhouse floriculture and c…

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Decoding Canada's Culinary Culture with Laura Brehaut, National Post Food Reporter: SIAL Summer Bonus 23:42

2M ago23:42

23:42

In this live episode from the SIAL Canada show floor in Toronto, we welcome a very special guest: Laura Brehaut, Food Reporter at the National Post. With a thoughtful blend of experience in anthropology, media production, culinary training, and a deep journalistic instinct, Laura offers a compelling perspective on Canada's evolving food landscape a…

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Retail, Riesling, and Relationships: Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars on Building a Brand That Lasts 16:10

3M ago16:10

16:10

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-Michael interviews Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars, recorded live at the Ontario Craft Wineries Conference in Niagara Falls. As part of the podcast's summer series highlighting thought leaders in the Canadian food and beverage industry, this episode delves into Ed's…

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Seeds of Change: Keith Currie, President at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, on the Future of Farming: SIAL Summer Bonus 29:30

3M ago29:30

29:30

In this insightful summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Keith Currie, President at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, live from the floor of SIAL Toronto. Representing more than 190,000 farmers and ranchers across the country and an eighth-generation farmer himsel…

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Extremis Publishing Tenth Anniversary Special 36:55

3M ago36:55

36:55

Entrepreneur Paul Murray, Director of King Street ApartHotel in Stirling, turns the tables on Extremis Publishing's Directors by putting them into the hot seat as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations. Tom found himself as the interviewee for once, while Julie took to the airwaves for only the second time in over eighty Extremis podcasts (to…

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Ep.54 - A Preview of (and Why You Should Attend) the 2025 Plant Trialing Conference 29:20

3M ago29:20

29:20

After a 10-year absence, the International Plant Trialing Conference is coming back. The event will be held in Minneapolis in mid-October and is organized by All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau. In this episode, I talk to Diane Blazek, Executive Director of All-America Selections, about why the time was right to bring back the con…

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From Farm to Gold: Chantal Van Winden’s Camelina Oil Wins SIAL Innovation 2025: Summer Bonus Episode 23:59

3M ago23:59

23:59

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome two exceptional guests: Joanne McArthur, President of Nourish Food Marketing and co-chair of the SIAL Innovation jury, and Chantal Van Winden, CEO of Olimega and t…

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Ep.53 - Bringing a Safety-First Mindset to Your Greenhouse 22:51

3M ago22:51

22:51

Safety in the greenhouse, whether it’s safe handling of crop protection materials or preventing slips and falls, is an important but sometimes overlooked concept. During Cultivate’25, a group of growers will come together for a panel discussion on why adopting a safety-first mindset is essential to protecting employees and ensuring smooth, producti…

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Smokin Jon's BBQ: Summer SIAL Food Innovation Show Bonus Episode 20:11

3M ago20:11

20:11

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc brings listeners straight to the SIAL Food Innovation Show floor for a flavorful conversation with Chef Jonathan Maters, co-founder of Smokin Jon’s BBQ & Company. Born in Newfoundland and based in New Brunswick, Jonathan shares how a pandemic-era pivot turned h…

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Ep.52 - A California Spring Trials Recap From a First-Time Attendee 24:47

3M ago24:47

24:47

Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks attended California Spring Trials for the first time this year. In this episode, he shares insights on some of his favorite new plants and series, how breeders continue to innovate, and more.By Greenhouse Grower

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BBQ Legends, Bureaucracy & Back-to-School with guests Texas Monthly's Daniel Vaughn & Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle in the Hot Seat 1:18:56

3M ago1:18:56

1:18:56

The Food Professor Podcast closes out its fifth season (sort of) with a sizzling, two-guest double feature and a feast of food industry insights. Co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick things off with a robust news round-up, starting with the Competition Bureau’s lawsuit against DoorDash. The case alleges deceptive pricing practic…

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Vince Sgabellone from Circana Dishes on Dining Trends, Pepper Predicament, and Aluminium, America & Grocery Shopping Trends 44:42

4M ago44:42

44:42

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, opens with co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois breaking down the week’s top food and retail stories. First, they tackle the evolving Canadian political stance on supply management. Prime Minister Carney’s reversal in support of Bil…

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The CoSTAR Realtime Lab with Phillip Vaughan and Matthew Bett 27:23

4M ago27:23

27:23

Abertay University's Phillip Vaughan and Matthew Bett join us for a discussion of Dundee's brand new CoSTAR Realtime Lab - a remarkable new production facility which has tremendous implications for film and TV, live performance, and videogame development. They explain the many ways that this cutting-edge creative technology has the potential to spa…

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Brisket, Buc-ee’s & Big Ideas plus Spilling the Tea Tariff & guest Tonia Jahshan of Sipology Steeps Up Global Growth 54:11

4M ago54:11

54:11

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast is steeped in insights, storytelling, and smoky Texas flavour. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick off with a deep dive into the state of Canadian agri-food policy, tariffs, and food inflation before welcoming a very special guest: Tonia Jahshan, Founder and CEO of Sipology. Broadcasting …

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Ep.51 - American Floral Endowment’s Laura Barth on Research Funding, and How You Can Support AFE 15:52

4M ago15:52

15:52

Laura Barth is the research coordinator at American Floral Endowment (AFE), which has been monitoring the impacts of federal funding cuts on horticulture research. In this episode, I talk to Laura about the uncertainties being felt at many institutions, how American Floral Endowment can be a funding resource for research, how the AFE endowment work…

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Canada's Food Inflation Crisis, Ag Minister an Animal Farm Fan, Selena Gomez Oreos, and Craft Wine Innovation, Resilience and Opportunity with Dan Sullivan from Rosehall Run Vineyards 53:46

4M ago53:46

53:46

This episode opens with alarming news about Canada's food inflation reaching crisis levels. Charlebois reveals that Canada now has the highest food inflation rate among G7 countries, primarily driven by countervailing tariffs that have backfired on Canadian consumers. The hosts explain how Prime Minister Carney quietly eliminated most food-related …

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New Liberal Cabinet & Ag Minister, Newfoundland Sugar Tax Fail, Cricket Bankruptcy Bugs Sylvain, and guest Adam Grogan, President & COO, Maple Leaf Foods 1:02:45

4M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

In this insightful episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois explore Canadian food politics and industry developments before sitting down with Adam Grogan, President and COO of Maple Leaf Foods, for a revealing conversation about the company's evolution and future. The episode begins with a discussion of Ca…

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Ep.50 - Top Insights and Leading Voices From Our First 50 Episodes 50:05

5M ago50:05

50:05

This is the 50th episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast, and in recognition of that milestone, we want to share some of our favorite insights and perspectives from the conversations we’ve had since launching this podcast.By Greenhouse Grower

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Sylvain says "Howdy" to Texas A&M, Canadian Food Sentiment Index No. 2, and from Farm to Global Table: Gilles Froment, International Dairy Federation President and Lactalis Canada SVP 57:32

5M ago57:32

57:32

In Season 5, Episode 35 of The Food Professor podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois deliver an information-packed episode with significant developments in both personal and industry news. Sylvain Charlebois opens with a major announcement about joining Texas A&M University on August 1st to lead their #1-ranked Masters in Agribusi…

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“Hidden Stirling” by Murray Cook 22:56

5M ago22:56

22:56

Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook discusses his book "Hidden Stirling", an exploration of the secret sites of the city, where he uncovers some surprising stories of its illustrious past. He also ventures into his findings from Stirling's surrounding area, discussing the ancient communities that once lived there and the mysteries they left behind. For mo…

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Live from SIAL Show in Toronto: Canada’s Post-Election Food Policy, Trade Barriers & Exports and guest Martin Lavoie, President & CEO of Groupe Export Agroalimentaire Québec 59:38

5M ago59:38

59:38

n Season 5 of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois take listeners inside the bustling SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, bringing fresh insights on global food trends and the shifting dynamics of agri-food trade. The episode kicks off with their live reflections on the show floor, surrounded by global exhibitors…

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Ep.49 - A Preview of the 2025 Southern Garden Tour 31:01

5M ago31:01

31:01

This year’s Southern Garden Tour takes place June 3-5, and features plant trials at Young’s Plant Farm in Alabama, the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, and Metrolina Greenhouses’ North Carolina facilities. This past week, I had a great conversation with the trial managers at each location: Dr. Mark Yelanich, Director of R&D at Metrolina, P…

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Canada's Missing Agri-Food Election Agenda, RoundUp for Roundup and Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Chief Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares 54:02

5M ago54:02

54:02

In Season 5, Episode 33 of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a dynamic episode split between urgent food policy news and an in-depth interview with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of the powerhouse better-for-you brand Mid-Day Squares. Kicking off with the news segment, Sylvain and Micha…

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Canada’s Food Inflation Spikes, Investors & Innovators with Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech™ Invest 51:19

5M ago51:19

51:19

The episode kicks off with breaking economic news: while Canada’s overall inflation slowed to 2.3% in March, food inflation surged to a staggering 3.2%—a monthly jump not seen since 1983. Sylvain attributes the spike to Ottawa’s counter-tariffs, rising ingredient costs, and shifting sourcing strategies as Canadian grocers de-Americanize their suppl…

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Ep.48 - Why N.G. Heimos’ Recent Acquisition Offers Promise for the Future 24:12

6M ago24:12

24:12

Earlier this month, we learned that the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a family-owned private equity firm, was acquiring N.G. Heimos Greenhouses, a family-run growing operation based in Illinois and one of the nation’s largest poinsettia growers. I caught up with Bernie Heimos, President of N.G. Heimos, and David Hoffmann, Founder and Chairman of HF…

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North American Trade Lawyer Mark Warner on Tariffs, Trade & Trump: A Global Food Fight Begins 59:22

6M ago59:22

59:22

In this power-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois bring listeners up to speed on one of the most complex and fast-moving stories in the global food and agriculture sector: the unfolding international tariff war. Appropriately titled “The Global Tariff War Edition,” this episode features a t…

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Tariffs, Trade, and Terroir: Trump's Liberation Day global earthquake, guest Michelle Wasylyshen, President & CEO, Ontario Craft Wineries 49:53

6M ago49:53

49:53

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast brings together global trade drama and local wine opportunity. In the opening news segment, Michael and Sylvain react to the latest trade bombshell from Donald Trump: sweeping new tariffs aimed at dozens of countries, with Canada & Mexico left off—for now. They dig into how this could reshape the Canadian …

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Scottish Tourist Guide Association with Gillian Barrett 23:31

6M ago23:31

23:31

Gillian Barrett, Association Manager with the Scottish Tourist Guide Association, kindly joins us for an exploration of the work of this distinctive and highly-respected national organisation. With over sixty years of experience, the STGA has built up a vast network of clients with a first-class reputation of training highly-skilled guides who can …

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Ep.47 - Awards, Top 100, and Events: An Update From Greenhouse Grower 26:36

6M ago26:36

26:36

In this episode of Greenhouse Grower, you can learn more about California Spring Trials, Greenhouse Grower’s Top 100 program, and how to nominate a grower for our Medal of Excellence awards. Plus, get a recap of the 10th annual BioSolutions Conference.By Greenhouse Grower

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10 Years of Liberal Ag Policy, Body Cams & guest Chef Tuệ Nguyễn 53:34

6M ago53:34

53:34

In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, we dive into a wide range of topics, from international trade tensions to the evolving role of social media in the culinary world. We kick off the episode with the announcement that Canada will be the country of honour at the SIAL Food Innovation Show, reflecting on the importance of celebrating …

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China Tariffs Dramatic Impact, McDonald's Takes Another Run at a Veggie Burger & WeCook's Fresh Meal Revolution with Michel Gagné, CEO 52:11

6M ago52:11

52:11

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois take on some of the hottest topics, shaking up the Canadian food industry. There's plenty to discuss, from McDonald's latest attempt to crack the plant-based market with a new veggie burger to the disruptive impact of China's tariffs on Canadian seafood and …

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Ep.46 - Ken Littrell on Leadership, Communication, and Motivating Your Greenhouse Team 56:26

6M ago56:26

56:26

Ken Littrell grew up on a family farm, and since then he’s worked in and out of floriculture, including spending time with some of the industry’s leading growing operations. He specializes in leadership development, change management, and how to build a better team through transparency and communication. In my recent conversation with Ken, we talke…

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Loblaw T's Off on Trump Tariffs, China and Europe Hit Back Creating Risks & Opportunities, guest Smoke's Poutinerie President & COO Mark Cunningham 1:10:10

7M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

In this episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois tackle pressing issues in Canada's food industry before interviewing Mark Cunningham, President and Chief Operating Officer of Smoke's Poutinerie. The episode begins with the hosts discussing Loblaw's decision to place "T" labels on products affected by tari…

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Trump Tariff Attack Reality, Grading Canada's Response and Special Guest Industry Icon John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe 58:21

7M ago58:21

58:21

The latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast delivers a timely and insightful discussion on the state of Canadian agriculture, the impact of Trump's tariffs, which Canadian politicians had the best response to, and what it means for the food industry. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois break down new trade restrictions' economic and p…