Plants, People, Science
Horticultural science is the only discipline that incorporates both the science and aesthetics of plants. It is the science and art of producing edible fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and ornamental plants, improving and commercializing them. Plants, People, Science, a podcast by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), will bring you the recent advancements in science, technology, innovation, development, and education for economically important horticultural crops and plants. Each episode features an interview with an American Society for Horticultural Science member, a discussion of their current work in the field, and the story behind their research. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. In this podcast, you will hear from diverse members across the horticultural community - scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents, and industry professionals.
Episodes
26 episodes
Participatory Plant Breeding For Better Tasting Organic Tomatoes - An Interview with Dr. Ambar Carvallo Lopez
Most of us think new crop horticulture cultivars are invented behind closed doors, then handed to farmers as a finished product. We wanted to explore that assumption, so we sat down with Dr. Ambar Carvallo Lopez, currently a Post Doctoral Resea...
Breeding Breakthroughs and Mentorship Insights with Gina Fernandez
A sunrise ride to an apple orchard changed everything for Dr. Gina Fernandez—and it might change how you think about berries. We sit down with the NC State distinguished professor and berry breeder to trace the path from cold-hardy apple rootst...
What It Takes To Make A Super Cold-Hardy Wine Grape
Think a great wine grape can’t survive where winters drop to minus forty? We sit down with breeder Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti from North Dakota State University to unpack how a young industry, a focused research program, and some stubborn op...
The ASHS Annual Conference: Gathering the Horticultural Science Community for Learning and Collaboration
We sit down with our podcast teammate Lena Wilson—fresh off a first-place PhD Graduate Student Poster Competition win—to unpack what it takes to thrive at a major scientific conference, from crafting a clear two-minute story to turning a poster...
The Art of Teaching: Dr. Chad Miller's Innovative Classroom Trade Shows
Dr. Chad Miller from Colorado State University shares his innovative approach to teaching horticulture through a classroom trade show format that transforms traditional plant identification courses into engaging, multidimensional learning exper...
Hydrangea Genomics: Dr. Lisa Alexander's Path to Breeding Better Hydrangeas
The science behind your garden hydrangeas involves far more than just planting and watering. Dr. Lisa Alexander, a research geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, takes us on a fascinating journey from her first days pollinatin...
Ready for ASHS: Tips and Tricks for Conference Success
Unlock the secrets to making the most of the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference with insider tips from seasoned attendees. As the 2025 New Orleans conference approaches (July 28-August 1), discover strategies that tran...
Growing Global Leaders in Horticulture: A Conversation with ASHS President Dr. Daniel Leskovar
A simple microscope gift during a childhood illness sparked a lifelong passion for horticulture that would take Dr. Daniel Leskovar from Argentina to leadership in American plant science. As the current President of the American Society for Hor...
Dr. Kirk Pomper: Journey into the World of Pawpaw Cultivation
Dr. Kirk Pomper, a Professor of Horticulture at Kentucky State University, is an expert on the pawpaw. He takes us on a journey through the lush history and remarkable qualities of this native North American fruit. With its unique tropical note...
Dr. Carl Motsenbocker: Transforming Horticultural Education and Sustainable Farming in Louisiana
Unlock the secrets of sustainable agriculture with us as we welcome Dr. Carl Motsenbocker from Louisiana State University. Discover how his work in local foods and sustainable farming is reshaping horticultural education and community connectio...
Failure Is Not Final
In a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Mengmeng Gu from Colorado State’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, we explore the broader implications of resilience and the belief that failure is not the end. This engaging di...
Dr. Ryan Contreras: Breeding Plants to Prevent Invasiveness
Join us for a rich discussion with our distinguished guest, Ryan Contreras, a leading expert in ornamental horticulture from Oregon State University. Ryan shares his incredible journey from the fields of eastern North Carolina to becoming a ren...
John Ertle: Behind the Scenes at the 2022 ASHS Far-Red Workshop
What if the key to unlocking your garden's full potential lies in a light spectrum most people overlook? Discover the untapped power of far-red radiation in horticulture as we bring you a vibrant discussion straight from the ASHS 2022 Workshop,...
Far Out! Erik Runkle on Far-Red Radiation: Shining New Light on Plants
How much do you really know about the light that nurtures your plants? In this enlightening episode of Plants, People, Science, hosts Curt Rom and Samson Humphrey take you on a journey through the multifaceted world of light's influence on hort...
Things are Rosy for Mother's Day! - A Visit with Dr. John Dole about Cut Flowers
Spring has sprung in the world of horticulture, and as Mother's Day nears, we welcome Dr. John Dole, a Professor of Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University. His current research activities focus on cut flowers, including new ...
The Art and Science of Cider Making - A Discussion with Dr. Greg Peck
Embark on an intoxicating voyage through the storied groves of apple history and the intricate science of cider with Dr. Greg Peck from Cornell's School of Integrative Plant Science. Prepare your palate for a revelation as we uncover why cider ...
Cultivating Futures: A Discussion with New Podcast Co-Host Curt Rom
We usher in a new era of the Plants People Science podcast with Curt Rom of the University of Arkansas joining Sam Humphrey as a Co-Host for Season 2. Rom's wealth of knowledge, from his roots as an undergraduate research assistant to his caree...
Small Scale Eastern Strawberry Production - A Discussion with Dr. Jayesh Samtani
In the second part of our two-part series on strawberries, and the final episode of Season 1, Sam talks with Dr. Jayesh Samtani, an Associate Professor and Small Fruit Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech. As an extension specialist, he does a...
The Sweet and the Not-so-Sweet of the U.S. Strawberry Industry - A Discussion with Dr. Gerald Holmes
In the first part of this two-part series on strawberries, Sam and Lara interview Dr. Gerald Holmes, director of the Strawberry Center at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He discusses the challenges that growers face,...
Orchids and Anthuriums - A Discussion with Dr. Teresita D. Amore
In this episode of Plants, People, Science, Sam and Lara talk with Dr. Teresita D. Amore, Associate Researcher in the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She discusses her orchid and ant...
Horticultural Therapy, Part One - An Interview with Dr. Candice Shoemaker
In the first part of this two part episode on horticultural therapy, Sam and Lara talk to Dr. Candice Shoemaker, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture and Human Health at Kansas State University. Dr. Shoemaker talks about the varied and winding pa...
Horticultural Therapy, Part Two - An Interview with Abby Jaroslow
In the second part of the Plants, People, Science Horticultural Therapy discussion, Lara follows up on the topic with horticultural therapist Abby Jaroslow who leads the horticultural therapy program at the Alice & Herbert Sachs Th...
Native and Nonnative Ornamentals as Pollinator Plants - A Discussion with Dr. Sandra B. Wilson
In this live episode of Plants, People, Science, Sam and Lara interview Dr. Sandra B. Wilson, a Professor in the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida, to discuss her research, her career, and her advice...
Seed Your Future - A Discussion with Executive Director Jazmin Albarran
Seed Your Future’s mission is to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants. In this episode of Plants, People, Science, Sam and Lara interview Jazmin Albarran, Executive Director of Seed Your Future,...