Archives: Speakers

Nathan Nordstedt received his B.S. in Horticulture from Kansas State University and is currently a PhD graduate fellow at The Ohio State University. At OSU, Nathan’s research focuses on the identification of beneficial bacteria with the ability to increase floriculture crop quality under abiotic stress conditions. The goal of this research is to provide greenhouse growers with a tool to increase crop quality in a sustainable way. In addition, his research looks to investigate mechanisms by which these bacteria are able to promote growth of floriculture crops and how these can be used for future crop improvement.

The Ohio State University is one of the nation’s top-20 public universities.  Since 1870, Ohio State has been the stage for academic achievement and a laboratory for innovation. The mission of the Floriculture Crop Improvement Program at Ohio State and the D.C. Kiplinger Chair in Floriculture is to advance the science and practice of floriculture.  Research and outreach programs focus on improving ornamental plants for both producers and consumers using molecular and physiological approaches. These programs are supported in part by the OSU D.C. Kiplinger Floriculture Endowment.

Dr. J.P. Michaud is an insect ecologist specializing in biological control and other aspects of crop protection entomology.  He has a background in evolutionary ecology and many of his research endeavors are guided by the implications of evolutionary theory.  His interests include cultural and conservation approaches to biological control of aphids in field crops, ecology of the Coccinellidae, and the interface between host plant resistance and biological control. Dr. Michaud completed his B.Sc. at McGill University and his masters and Ph.D. at Simon Fraser University.  After seven years at the University of Florida studying biological control of disease vectors in citrus, he moved to Kansas State University where he has been developing integrated management strategies for pests of field crops and approaches to conserving their natural enemies since 2003.

Ben Bowell is an Organic Education Specialist for Oregon Tilth, a national non-profit organic certification and education organization.  Through his joint position with USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service/NRCS, he provides technical assistance, delivers trainings, and develops technical resources for use by NRCS staff, agricultural professionals, and producers in order to better support conservation work on organic farms.  Ben has a B.A. from Wake Forest University and a M.S. from Tufts University’s Agriculture, Food, and Environment Program.

Oregon Tilth is a leading certifier, educator and advocate for organic agriculture and products since 1974.  Our mission is to make our food system and agriculture biologically sound and socially equitable.

To learn more visit: https://tilth.org/

Dr. Chris Becker conducts applied agricultural research on all crops in the Northeast for BAAR Scientific LLC. Dr. Becker also consults on pest management for the New York grape industry and has presented Mode of Action of Pesticide presentations to various industries and CCA programs. Nearly 40% of his current studies focus on Biopesticides. Becker is a member of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC), the Biopesticide Industry Alliance (BPIA), and the American Phytopathological Society. He obtained his PhD in Plant Pathology from Cornell University.

BAAR Scientific conducts efficacy studies with fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and biostimulants or nutrients. Located in Phelps, NY, BAAR Scientific LLC conducts research in replicated small plots, with data collection that is driven by the individual needs of the client.  In addition to field studies, BAAR Scientific has two greenhouses available for adaptive studies using whatever plants are needed.  Current research focuses on Biopesticides and Biostimulants.

Contact Chris Becker, PhD, for more information email = [email protected]

Dave Barcel has worked in the ornamental horticulture industry since 1978. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University, earning degrees in Horticulture, and Horticulture Education. His past work experience includes Vo-Ag teacher, Chemlawn Services Manager, Specialty Chemical Representative, Senior Product Development Representative for Uniroyal Chemical/Chemtura; (focusing on PGR research) and currently, Senior Technical Manager for OHP, Inc. Barcel has been active with the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) and CAPCA’s Plant Doctor program, and is past president of the Western Plant Growth Regulator Society (WPGRS) and the Plant Growth Regulator Society of America (PGRSA).  He continues to focus product development, researching new PGRs, herbicides, and technical support for OHP.

OHP is a leading provider of horticultural specialty products used in production ornamentals. Products include PGR’s (plant Growth Regulators), Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and bactericides. Products range from traditional chemistries to Bio-Control agents for organic production, many of which have  OMRI certification. Example products include: Azatin O; Triathalon BA; Ancora; Kalmor and more recently FireWorxx herbicide.

OHP is only focused on the greenhouse and nursery markets and dedicated to offering innovative pest control solutions to growers. 

Farm Manager, Mercer Ranches

Jason Brown is the vegetable Farm Manager for Mercer Ranches, a large family-owned farm in Eastern Washington state. Mercer Ranches grows about seven thousand acres of vegetables and rotation crops, including: carrots, onions, sweet corn seed, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, alfalfa and timothy. About ten percent of Mercer Ranches’ acres are organic. Mercer Ranches is working hard to determine how to successfully incorporate biocontrols into their production systems.

Valent Sales Specialist, Sustainable Business Unit – Cascades

Edward Chell is a Sustainable Solutions Specialist at Valent USA and Pepper Farmer in Camarillo, CA. Chell grew up in the Imperial Valley on his family’s vegetable farm and he has worked as an on-farm and retail advisor across specialty crop markets on the West Coast and Mexico for more than thirty years. Chell, a licensed PCA, believes in combining the best conventional, organic and biological practices to build a viable operation.

Propagation Manager, Heritage Seedlings and Liners

Taylor Burk graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2014 with a B.S. in Horticulture and Crop Production. During college, she worked at an ornamental tree farm in Maryland. She began work at Fessler Nursery in 2016, where the position of head grower gave her opportunities to learn about biological control in the greenhouse. She now looks forward to transitioning plants and pests in her new position as Propagation Manager at Heritage Seedlings.

Heritage Seedlings and Liners is a wholesale Oregon propagation nursery that specializes in liners of unique deciduous plants for garden centers and other wholesale nurseries. Started in 1982 by Mark & Jolly Krautmann on 5 rented acres, Heritage has evolved to a complex propagation nursery employing 40 and growing more than 520 kinds of rare and unusual woody plants. Fessler Nursery was founded in 1960 by Ken and Marie Fessler. The nursery now employs between 35 and 40 people and has grown to more 550,000 square feet of greenhouse space with both wholesale and retail sales. Fessler produces hanging baskets and premium annuals with a biological IPM-based program.  

Senior Editor, Greenhouse Grower®

Brian Sparks is responsible for developing print and digital content and editorial planning, with a focus on greenhouse technology and production. Brian has been with Meister Media Worldwide since 2000 and was previously Managing Editor and Editor of American Fruit Grower®, Senior Editor of Today’s Garden Center®, and Senior Online Editor for GreenhouseGrower.com. Brian has a communications degree from John Carroll University.

Meister Media Worldwide is a fourth-generation family business located in Willoughby, OH.  Founded in 1932 as American Fruit Grower Publishing Company, the operation has evolved to become one of the leading media businesses in the U.S., and now internationally, devoted solely to production agriculture. Its 11 brands cover a range of markets including the U.S. Horticulture titles American Fruit Grower^TM, Western Fruit Grower^TM, American Vegetable Grower^TM, Florida Grower^TM, and Greenhouse Grower^TM with a diverse portfolio of print magazines, websites, digital and data products, and industry-leading events, including the Biocontrols^SM Conference & Expo Series.  

Editor, American Fruit Grower and Western Fruit Grower magazines, and Contributing Editor, American Vegetable Grower magazine

Eddy is Editor, American Fruit Grower magazine, and Contributing Editor, American Vegetable Grower magazine, also published by Meister Media Worldwide, and frequent contributor to the magazines’ associated website, www.GrowingProduce.com. A native Minnesotan who grew up on the East Coast, Dave is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He is based in Modesto, CA.

Meister Media Worldwide is a fourth-generation family business located in Willoughby, OH.  Founded in 1932 as American Fruit Grower Publishing Company, the operation has evolved to become one of the leading media businesses in the U.S., and now internationally, devoted solely to production agriculture. Its 9 brands cover a range of markets including the U.S. Horticulture titles American Fruit Grower^TM, American Vegetable Grower^TM, and Greenhouse Grower^TM with a diverse portfolio of print magazines, websites, digital and data products, and industry-leading events, including the Biocontrols^SM Conference & Expo Series.