Plants, People, Science

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

April 17, 2025 48 mins

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 Horticultural Science, Dr. Leskovar shares the remarkable journey that began with his father's work in hop production and led him through prestigious institutions across three continents.

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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 notes the pawpaw stands out as both a horticultural gem and a culinary curiosity.

Together, we unravel the complexities of cultivating pawpaws, exploring everything from grafting techniq...

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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 connections. We'll guide you through the discussions at the 2024 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, where we gained insights into the shift from large-scale farming to ...

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August 29, 2024 18 mins

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 dialogue delves into how these concepts are not only vital in horticultural science but also in personal growth and development. Tune in for an episode filled with inspiration and actionable in...

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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 renowned professor, revealing pivotal moments and key mentorships that shaped his career.

Step into the world of invasive plant species and biotechnology with Ryan as he unpacks the sig...

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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, "What Is Far-Red Light's Role in Plant Science?" Join co-host Sam Humphrey in a fantastic conversation with Dr. John Ertle, who shares his firsthand experience being surr...

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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 horticulture. They start with their own personal experiences with sunlight and artificial light, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion with Dr. Erik Runkle from Michigan State Univers...

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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 cultivar evaluations, production, postharvest, and marketing analysis.  Dr. Dole opens our eyes to the science of cut flower production, the crucial post-harvest practices, and the flowe...

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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 apples bear little resemblance to their grocery store relatives, and how a symphony of tannins, sugars, and acidity beautifully ferment into the cider that elevates our dining experience...

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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 career in teaching and research, is set to invigorate our discussions with fresh insights. This episode introduces Curt with a discussion of his academic journey and explores his work and his...

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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 lot of work connecting with growers and other extension agents, in Virginia and numerous other states. He also runs a research program, which has covered a variety of strawberry projects, in...

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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, the costs of producing and harvesting strawberries, the factors that influence the flavor of the berries, and the future of the industry.

To learn more about the Strawberry Center at Californ...

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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 anthurium breeding program, the traits that growers and designers are looking for, the rewarding aspects of her job, and what led to her career.

To see Dr. Amore's work on the cover of HortScience go...

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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 path that eventually led to her career in horticultural therapy, explains the basics and history of the field, and describes the benefits of receiving horticultural therapy versus therapeutical...

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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 Therapeutic Conservatory at MossRehab Einstein Medical Center in Elkins Park, PA and is also an instructor at the New York Botanical Gardens. She works with individuals recovering from spinal cord injur...

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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 for young researchers.

The featured article is available on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal website at https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16123-21.

To learn more about Dr. Wilson and her work go t...

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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, to discuss the movement, its progress with attracting students to plant science careers in the years since Seed Your Future’s start in 2013, and the plan of action going forward.

For more information ...

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August 24, 2022 1 min

Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at https://ashs.org/.
HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org.

Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember!

You ca...

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For this kickoff episode, Sam and Lara interview Dr. Benjamin Campbell, an agricultural economist, to talk about his recent research on how horticulture consumer behavior has changed from COVID-19. Find this featured publication at https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04911-21. The authors include Benjamin Campbell, David San Fratello, William Secor, and Julie Campbell, from the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the ...

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