Ones To Watch: Peggy Van de Wetering

Ones To Watch: Peggy Van de Wetering

As part of Greenhouse Grower’s 25th anniversary, we are profiling people we expect to shape the industry for the better over the next 25 years. Now in its 17th week online, our Ones To Watch series continues with Peggy Van de Wetering of Ivy Acres, who was featured in our October issue.

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Age–39

Her Job–Peggy is marketing manager at Ivy Acres in Baiting Hollow, N.Y., where she’s been active creating brand awareness for the StrawPot. Peggy earned a Certificate of Horticulture at Michigan State University, and she holds a bachelor’s degree from Colby-Sawyer College. “It was always my plan to work in the family business,” she says.

Packaging Comes First–One factor that separates Ivy Acres from other operations is packaging, Peggy says. She enjoys searching the world for new ideas and believes Ivy Acres has always challenged the industry with truly unique packaging creations. “We strive to stay outside the box.”

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At The Moment – The StrawPot is at the forefront of Peggy’s marketing duties. She plans to market the StrawPot globally on behalf of Ivy Acres and play a role in creating different sizes for more segments of the industry. “In the long term, our focus will be on creating a certified organic StrawPot.”

Tough Task–Reconfiguring automation processes for natural containers like the StrawPot is probably the biggest challenge that faces Peggy, but she plans to spend a chunk of her time in production and with manufacturers making sure equipment is available to produce natural containers properly.

Twenty-Five Years From Now–Nearly all product available to the consumer will be grown in eco-friendly and biodegradable containers, Peggy says. Organic items will be staple products, and small independent garden centers will be the hot place to shop. She also believes consumers will purchase most of their products online and have them delivered to their homes.

Why She’s One To Watch–Eco-friendly packaging is one wave of the ongoing sustainability movement, and the StrawPot has kept Peggy and Ivy Acres out front as one company offering alternative packaging solutions to growers. 

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