Meet Greenhouse Grower’s New Editorial Advisory Board
January 6, 2024 This group of growers and industry partners from across the country will bring their expertise to help shape the direction of Greenhouse Grower across all our content platforms. Their experience will help us continue to bring cutting-edge information to our readers.
Matt Foertmeyer, Owner and Growing Operations Manager, Foertmeyer & Sons, OH
Matt Foertmeyer oversees the growing and production operations at the company’s two facilities in Delaware, OH, and Swanton, OH. He is responsible for setting growing standards, production goals, and best practices for the greenhouse facilities.
“When thinking about the future of floriculture, I get most excited about developing the next generation of growers entering the industry. I’ve been very fortunate in my career to be surrounded by individuals who have given me a head start in my development as a professional. I hope to give younger members of our team that same type of head start by being committed to develop them in a way that allows them to reach a higher level in their career than I’ll ever be able to attain myself.”
Dr. Melinda Knuth Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University’s Department of Horticultural Science
Dr. Knuth’s research focuses on two main topics: 1) What the consumer wants, and communicating that with industry members through marketing research and exploring historical data; 2) Evaluating the supply chain to understand what industry members are willing and able to provide in the current, and past, economic climates.
“I think that this industry has the ability to completely transform itself. We are one of those industries that has been around a very long time, and we have served not only within the industry, but also our consumers. As things progress into the future, I’m very excited about how we will pivot, and how we will adapt to continue to fit and continue to serve consumers.”
Steve Garvey, Head Grower, Dallas Johnson Greenhouses, IA
Steve Garvey manages a team of 26 growers that cares for more than 70 acres of greenhouses at Dallas Johnson Greenhouses (No. 16 on Greenhouse Grower’s Top 100 Growers List).
“One of the most exciting things about the future of floriculture is new genetics. The ability to grow a more consistent, repeatable, top-quality crop week after week is what I am most excited about.”
Emily Wildt, Regional Sales & Trial Garden Director, Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants, MI
Emily Wildt manages sales for Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio by working with broker partners. She is also responsible for overseeing the development of the operation’s garden mum and cut flower programs. In the summer, she handles all sales and marketing events in the trial gardens.
“What excites me the most about the future of floriculture is the next generation. COVID-19 really saved our industry by introducing millions of new gardeners, most of whom are millennials and Generation Z. Agriculture is hard work, floriculture being no exception, and it’s getting harder to find young people that want to step in and do the work. During the pandemic, kids were spending more time outside planting vegetable gardens, container gardens, or putting in flower beds, and that gives our industry the glimpse of hope that it’s needed for decades.”
Mike Goyette, Operations Manager, Pleasant View Gardens, NH
As operations manager, Mike Goyette oversees various aspects of the company’s day-to-day activities from planning to growing. He optimizes procedures, aligning operations with organizational goals to enhance productivity and performance.
“We have a bright future with technology. I think technological advances will continue to be more applicable and cost effective for the industry.”
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