Michigan State’s Dr. Erik Runkle Hosts Podcast Series on Sustainable Greenhouse Technologies and Innovation

Michigan State’s Dr. Erik Runkle Hosts Podcast Series
on Sustainable Greenhouse Technologies and Innovation

See 42 Video Interviews at www.thesustainabilityinitiative.org

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Those growers who think that investments in sustainability techniques and technologies are merely a drain on the bottom line should make time to view a new series of video podcasts. The series, live on www.thesustainabilityinitiative.org as of October 31, features Michigan State University’s Dr. Erik Runkle interviewing greenhouse growers in the U.S. and Holland on their sustainable practices. In dozens of candid conversations shot on location in greenhouses, labs and garden centers, Dr. Runkle delves into the various ways the trade is investing in sustainable solutions to increase productivity and profitability, with a sharp eye on return on investment.

“We talked to a lot of people and asked tough questions,” said Dr. Runkle. “We discussed cutting-edge approaches like geothermal heating systems and solar panels for electricity, which in some cases are only economical with government subsidies. We also looked at smart, common-sense solutions like the grower who borrowed technology from the tropical fish industry to keep orchid shipments at optimal temperatures. In many situations, the return on investment for even very expensive conversions was surprisingly reasonable.”

The project interviewed more than 20 greenhouse growers and industry experts who share their experiences and insights in a series of more than 40 video podcasts. The interviews explore major issues in sustainability today, including energy, lighting, water, automation, pest control, logistics and profitability. Additionally, the team sought answers to questions about sustainable practices posed by American trade journalists Ellen Wells of Green Profit, Tim Hodson of Greenhouse Product News and Kevin Yanik of Greenhouse Grower.

The podcast series can be viewed beginning October 31 at www.thesustainabilityinitiative.org and also on the project’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/dutchsustain. The production team was led by MSU Associate Professor Erik Runkle and Dutch Advisor Agricultural Affairs Caroline Feitel of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, D.C. Interviews were conducted in July and August with U.S. and Dutch greenhouse growers and other professionals on location at OFA Short Course in Columbus and Oberlin, Ohio and throughout the Netherlands.

* July 2011 interviews at OFA & Oberlin, OH: David Arkell, 360 Energy, Burlington, ON, Canada, president/ceo
* Scott Giesbrecht, Green Circle Growers, Oberlin, OH, sales manager (grower & marketer of plants, including “Just Add Ice” Orchids)
* Dr. Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture
* Tim Hodson, Greenhouse Product News, Arlington Heights, IL, editorial director
* Kevin Yanik, Greenhouse Grower, Willoughby, OH, editor
* Ellen Wells, Green Profit, Boston, MA, editor

* August 2011 interviews in the Netherlands: Steven Bol, Koppert Biological Systems, Berkel en Rodenrijs, NL, North American area manager (specialist in biological crop protection & natural pollination), shot at A&G van den Bosch, Bleiswijk, NL
* Johan Hensen, Haluco, Bleiswijk, NL, commercial director (vegetable marketing firm)
* Marcel Koene, Garden Center Groenrijk, Gravenzande, NL, owner
* Rob Meijer, Wageningen UR Horticulture, Bleiswijk, NL, head of Team Crop Health
* Eric Poot, Wageningen UR Horticulture, Bleiswijk, NL, head of Team Crop & Farm Systems
* Rene Schoone, Floracultura, Heemskerk, NL, owner (phalaenopsis grower)
* Richard ter Laak, Ter Laak, Wateringen, NL, co-owner (phalaenopsis grower)
* Bedette van de Zande, Vitro Plus, Haamstede, NL, laboratory manager (tissue culture)
* Rik van den Bosch, A&G van den Bosch, Bleiswijk, NL, grower (beefsteak tomatoes)
* Bram van Marrewijk, Agro Advies Buro, Naaldwijk, NL, (horticulture consultancy), shot at Rijn Plant, De Lier, NL, (anthurium grower)
* Michel van Rijn, Rijn Plant, De Lier, NL, commercial director (anthurium grower)
* Bert van Ruijven, Arcadia, De Lier, NL, grower (chrysanthemum grower)
* Jeroen van Velzel, Lemnis Lighting, Barneveld, NL, project director, shot at Boer & Den Hoedt, Ridderkerk, NL (grower of specialty lettuces)
* Wilco Wisse, Van der Lans, Rilland, NL, commercial manager (tomato grower & only certified tomato exporter to US).

The video podcast project was conceived by Agricultural Counselor Martin Olde Monnikhof of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, D.C. and produced as a joint project by his office, the Horticulture Department of Michigan State University, and the Dutch Ministry of Economics, Agriculture and Innovation.

The Sustainability Initiative team is comprised of Martin Olde Monnikhof, Erik Runkle, Caroline Feitel, and Sally Ferguson and David Caras of Ferguson Caras LLC, Danby, VT.