It's Not Garden Therapy: The Real Science of Plants and People with Sheri Dorn

It's Not Garden Therapy: The Real Science of Plants and People with Sheri Dorn

IT’S NOT GARDEN THERAPY: THE REAL SCIENCE OF PLANTS AND PEOPLE Ping calls it “garden therapy.” Dr. Sheri Dorn gently corrects her — and that correction opens up a whole world. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Ping sits down with her colleague and friend Dr. Sheri Dorn, who took on a new role at the University of Georgia in August as assistant professor of socio-horticulture and horticultural therapy. Within the first two minutes, Sheri lovingly catches Ping using the loose term “garden therapy” — and that small correction becomes the thread that runs through the whole conversation. There’s a real difference between horticultural therapy (a clinical setting with a therapist, a client, and a goal), therapeutic horticulture (the benefits of a group gardening session), and socio-horticulture (the big bucket that holds every economic, environmental, social, and health benefit plants give us). Sorting those terms out turns out to be the difference between a feel-good hobby and a documented science. From there the conversation ranges across Sheri’s path into the field — a childhood spent in an enormous inherited family vegetable garden, her mentorship under People-Plant Council pioneer Dr. Diane Relf at Virginia Tech, and the “plant magic” she first watched happen in community gardens. She walks through the research that explains why gardening lowers cortisol and blood pressure, why how often you garden matters as much as that you do it at all, and the landmark 1980s hospital-window study that showed surgery patients recovered faster when they could see a garden instead of a brick wall. If you’re a grower, there’s a marketing message here you can take to the bank. If you’re a plant enthusiast, there’s a clear, encouraging on-ramp: try a basil cutting, sow some lettuce, call your county Extension office, and build from there. And if you’ve ever joked that gardening is cheaper than a therapist, Sheri has thoughts about that very expensive tomato. Listen Time: 48:38 Follow Along with this Episode’s Transcript [https://bandbpod.com/pages/its-not-garden-therapy-the-real-science-of-plants-and-people-with-sheri-dorn] IN THIS EPISODE GUEST Dr. Sheri Dorn — Assistant Professor of Socio-Horticulture and Horticultural Therapy, UGA Department of Horticulture & State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Formerly the State of Georgia Master Gardener coordinator. Bachelor’s and master’s in horticulture from Virginia Tech (working under Dr. Diane Relf and the People-Plant Council), PhD from the University of Georgia. She is building UGA’s new horticultural therapy certificate program. MAIN TOPICS * Meet Dr. Sheri Dorn and her new role (00:51) * From a family vegetable garden to Virginia Tech (04:19) * Learning from a pioneer: Dr. Diane Relf and the People-Plant Council (06:02) * The “plant magic” of community gardens (08:02) * Defining the terms: therapy, therapeutic horticulture, socio-horticulture (09:45) * Why gardening makes us feel good — cortisol, blood pressure, memory (12:03) * The biggest misconception: not all gardening is therapy (15:17) * How often you garden matters (17:48) * The hospital window: Roger Ulrich’s landmark study (20:19) * The economic value of plants and landscapes (22:41) * Choosing plants around the client’s goals (25:03) * A marketing message for the green industry (28:12) * Post-pandemic trends in horticultural therapy (30:44) * What an effective program looks like + training and certification (34:51) * Getting started: simple activities for beginners (38:36) * Sheri’s vision for the program (44:15) KEY HIGHLIGHTS * Three terms, one correction. Horticultural therapy is clinical — therapist, client, goal, with horticulture as the pathway. Therapeutic horticulture is the looser group setting. Socio-horticulture is the broad umbrella for every human benefit of plants. Most of what people call “garden therapy” actually lives in the socio-horticulture bucket. * Frequency is the finding. Some of the most useful recent research shows the benefits of gardening track with how often you do it — like exercise. A one-off patio container won’t deliver the therapeutic payoff that a regular, recurring practice does. * The hospital window. In a study from the early ’90s, gallbladder-surgery patients whose rooms overlooked a garden had shorter stays and needed fewer pain medications than patients facing a brick wall. * Don’t forget the horticulturalist. Sheri’s recurring concern: as the medical community drives more horticultural-therapy research, the person who actually knows how to grow and troubleshoot the plants gets left off the team — and the work suffers for it. * The on-ramp is low. Root a grocery-store basil sleeve in a glass of water, sow lettuce, plant a paper white narcissus, and call your county Extension office. Small successes build the confidence (and the habit) that the science says matters. KEY QUOTES > “I like to say that my parents nearly killed my career in horticulture before it got started, because it was — honest to goodness, Ping — it was the family vegetable garden, and we had a huge one.” — Dr. Sheri Dorn (04:21) > “Those people, nine times out of ten, would not speak to each other if they ran into each other in the grocery store… But they have bonded over growing the plants.” — Dr. Sheri Dorn, on community gardens (08:55) > “I think the biggest misconception is that all gardening is therapy.” — Dr. Sheri Dorn (15:17) > “It was very clear that the patients that viewed the garden had a shorter hospital stay, took fewer pain medications, and they were less obnoxious, essentially… They were better patients, Ping.” — Dr. Sheri Dorn, on the Ulrich study (21:11) > “Don’t forget the people side of plants. We won’t have an industry if there aren’t people buying our plants.” — Dr. Sheri Dorn (30:19) EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS * Horticultural therapy — A clinical practice built on three things: a therapist, a client, and a goal (to heal, strengthen, recover, learn skills, or make social connections), with gardening as the pathway to that goal. It draws on cognitive science, psychology, counseling, and physical and occupational medicine — but the practitioner’s first training is in plants. * Therapeutic horticulture — A less formal, usually group setting where the gardening activity produces positive benefits without tracking individually prescribed goals. * Socio-horticulture — The broad term for all human benefits of plants: economic, environmental, social, community, health, and wellbeing. Self-directed gardening that simply makes you feel good lives here, not in clinical “therapy.” * Why the body responds — Gardening is associated with cortisol reduction and lower blood pressure. Scent from plants like rosemary, lavender, roses, and gardenia works through brain pathways tied to memory. Part of the relaxation comes from a shift out of the office’s intense, narrow focus into the gentler, fascinated attention the garden invites. * Attention restoration & the Ulrich study — Roger Ulrich (a psychologist) analyzed hospital records of gallbladder-surgery patients; those who could see a landscaped garden recovered faster and used fewer pain medications than those facing a brick wall — early behavioral evidence for what plants do for us. * The economic case — A landscape investment can return more at resale than a kitchen renovation; well-landscaped homes tend to sell faster and help establish a desirable “sense of place.” Sheri also notes the flip side: over-complex landscapes can overwhelm buyers, and rising desirability can push taxes up, so keep communities involved in the decisions. * Choosing plants by goal, not by species — Plant choice follows the client’s goal: non-toxic options for clients who put things in their mouth; scent, flower, or color to spark memory (Sheri’s lifelong snapdragon association with her mother); textured leaves like oakleaf hydrangea or a prickly holly for sensory work; easily propagated plants for vocational/production goals. * Certification — UGA is building a horticultural therapy certificate: at minimum 12 hours of horticultural therapy coursework layered onto a foundation in growing plants plus human-sciences training. It draws students and working professionals alike — horticulturalists, educators, nurses, occupational and physical therapists. * Beginner propagation win — A grocery-store basil sleeve placed in a vase of water will root in under a week — you’ve propagated a plant. Paper white narcissus bulbs (nose up, basal plate down) bloom in about five to six weeks. RESOURCES & LINKS * Website: bandbpod.com * Dr. Sheri Dorn — reachable through the UGA Department of Horticulture; a dedicated horticultural therapy program website is in development. Contact information is available on the department webpage. * People-Plant Council — the national group founded by Dr. Diane Relf (Virginia Tech) in the early 1990s. * UGA horticultural therapy certificate program — in development at the University of Georgia. * Your county Extension office — every county in Georgia has one; staff and Master Gardener volunteers offer research-based, unbiased horticulture guidance and publications. * State Botanical Garden of Georgia — partner in Dr. Dorn’s appointment, with a conservation and native-plant focus. ABOUT BLOOMS AND BEYOND Blooms and Beyond explores plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower seeking practical solutions, a student exploring careers in horticulture, or simply someone who loves plants and their stories, there’s something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu of the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who share enchanting stories, cutting-edge research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture. Your benefit: After each episode, commercial growers will have at least one useful tip for their operation, and plant enthusiasts will have an interesting fact to share. That’s how we spread plant power to more people and make our environment a little better. CREDITS Host: Dr. Ping Yu Producer: Rich Braman Guest: Dr. Sheri Dorn, Assistant Professor of Socio-Horticulture and Horticultural Therapy, UGA Department of Horticulture & State Botanical Garden of Georgia Support: American Floral Endowment Educational Grant Episode Release Date: June 7, 2026 Episode Length: 48:38 “Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱

Georgia's Green Industry and the Power of Advocacy with Lanie Riner

GEORGIA’S GREEN INDUSTRY AND THE POWER OF ADVOCACY Season 2 opens with Lanie Riner — greenhouse grower, farm kid turned Executive Director of the Georgia Green Industry Association, and the person who wrote the letter that helped strengthen Georgia’s Freedom to Farm protections. Lanie runs GGIA while running Thunderwood Farms in Meriwether County, and she brings both perspectives to a conversation about what it takes to advocate for an industry that, as she puts it, “puts nature back in place.” Ping and Lanie go back to a Ginkgo biloba tree and a job interview. From there, the conversation covers GGIA’s 35-year history, the COVID-era fight to keep horticulture classified as essential, the OSHA heat rule that could reshape outdoor work, and a Capitol Day tradition where plants are the only agricultural commodity that isn’t eaten by sundown. Lanie’s advice for anyone headed to meet a legislator: bring a true story — preferably your own. The episode also digs into the challenges growers face right now: succession planning for family operations, the two-spot cotton leafhopper and its quarantine implications, H-2A and H-2B labor programs, and the ever-shifting Waters of the U.S. definition. Lanie’s three-to-five-year vision for GGIA centers on a united industry voice and growing the next generation through programs like the Junior Certified Plant Professional. Listen Time: 50:15 Follow Along with this Episode’s Transcript [https://bandbpod.com/pages/georgias-green-industry-and-the-power-of-advocacy-with-lanie-riner] IN THIS EPISODE GUEST Lanie Riner — Executive Director, Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA); Owner, Thunderwood Farms. UGA horticulture graduate who started as a pharmacy student, found her way to Miller Plant Sciences, and built a career spanning greenhouse production and statewide industry advocacy. She personally testified before OSHA on the proposed heat rule and led the effort to secure essential-industry status for Georgia’s green industry during the 2020 shutdown. MAIN TOPICS * Lanie’s path from farm kid to GGIA Executive Director (00:42) * Favorite plants: Asclepias and Baptisia (03:27) * GGIA overview: history, six divisions, and mission since 1990 (04:49) * How Lanie’s zoning battle in Meriwether County led her to GGIA (07:40) * Key programs: Southeast Green Conference, Wintergreen on the Road, scholarships (10:21) * Southeast Green moving back to Athens (12:16) * COVID-era advocacy: getting the green industry deemed essential (14:06) * Freedom to Farm legislation and the “changing conditions” clause (16:01) * Environmental benefits of the green industry — “We put nature back in place” (18:14) * Emerging pests: two-spot cotton leafhopper and compliance agreements (21:05) * OSHA heat rule: testimony, UGA Extension partnership, and ongoing process (23:04) * The art of advocacy: storytelling over statistics (25:11) * GGIA Capitol Day and relationship-building with legislators (28:12) * Communication: e-blasts, direct outreach, and Hurricane Helene response (30:34) * Industry challenges: succession planning, regulation, labor, and water (35:15) * University and Extension partnerships — “unbiased scientific support” (39:23) * Vision for GGIA: united voice, next-generation development (41:23) * Junior Certified Plant Professional program and FFA partnerships (43:55) * How to get involved with GGIA (46:43) KEY HIGHLIGHTS * GGIA formed in 1990 from two predecessor organizations — the Georgia Nursery Men’s Association (dating to the 1930s) and the Georgia Association of Landscape Professionals (1970s–80s) * Lanie started as Executive Director in June 2020 and immediately partnered with Chairman Jeremy Oxford to secure essential-industry designation for horticulture during the shutdown * The Freedom to Farm legislation removed a “changing conditions” clause that threatened growers who had been farming in the same location for 30–50+ years as urban development grew around them * GGIA recently partnered with the Georgia Agribusiness Council for state-level lobbying, freeing Lanie to focus on federal issues like the OSHA heat rule and emerging pest regulations * The Junior Certified Plant Professional program in Fort Valley has been running since 1991 KEY QUOTES > “In our society, throughout every society, we learn through storytelling. … When you go to talk to a legislator or a regulator, whatever the point is that you are trying to make, it needs to be a true story. That’s the first thing. And it needs to — it’s even better if it’s your story.” > — Lanie Riner (25:59) > “We put nature back in place. But it’s exactly what we do. Our industry is where people and nature intersect.” > — Lanie Riner (19:03) > “Yours is the only industry that it is not eaten up at the end of the day.” > — Chairman Robert Dickey, as recounted by Lanie Riner (29:04), on why GGIA Capitol Day stands out among agricultural commodities > “We could not advocate for our industry at all without our university partners and extension. Extension provides that unbiased scientific support. It’s not an opinion.” > — Lanie Riner (39:44) > “We are stronger when we work together.” > — Lanie Riner (43:27) EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS * 501(c)(6) trade association: GGIA’s tax-exempt classification as a business league organized to promote common business interests for its members — distinct from a 501(c)(3) charitable organization * GGIA’s six divisions: wholesale growers, retail, greenhouse growers, landscape contractors, irrigation, allied products and sales, plus floriculture * Freedom to Farm: Georgia legislation that strengthened protections for farms operating in areas where urban development has encroached, removing a “changing conditions” clause that had been in place since the 1980s * Two-spot cotton leafhopper: An emerging pest originally found on okra (a Malvaceae family crop) in Georgia, with host range extending to hibiscus, tomatoes, peppers, and other solanaceous crops — carrying quarantine implications for plant movement * OSHA heat rule: A federal rulemaking process begun in 2021 that, as originally proposed, would impose workplace heat regulations that Lanie described as unworkable for outdoor agricultural operations * H-2A and H-2B programs: Federal temporary agricultural worker (H-2A) and temporary non-agricultural worker (H-2B) visa programs that Georgia’s green industry relies on for labor * WOTUS (Waters of the U.S.): A federal regulatory definition under the Clean Water Act that has been contested and revised repeatedly since 2008, with direct implications for growers’ water access and land use * Georgia Certified Plant Professional: Originally a GGIA program, now transitioned to UGA for state recognition; GGIA maintains the Junior Certified Plant Professional certification for students * Georgia’s annual rainfall: Approximately 50 inches per year — substantial, but punctuated by periods of drought that can threaten growers, as in the 2007 Atlanta water restrictions RESOURCES & LINKS * GGIA Website: ggia.org [https://ggia.org] * Southeast Green Conference: southeastgreen.org [https://southeastgreen.org] * Blooms and Beyond: bandbpod.com ABOUT BLOOMS AND BEYOND Blooms and Beyond explores plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower seeking practical solutions, a student exploring careers in horticulture, or simply someone who loves plants and their stories, there’s something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu of the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who share enchanting stories, cutting-edge research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture. Your benefit: After each episode, commercial growers will have at least one useful tip for their operation, and plant enthusiasts will have an interesting fact to share. That’s how we spread plant power to more people and make our environment a little better. CREDITS Host: Dr. Ping Yu Guest: Lanie Riner, Executive Director, Georgia Green Industry Association; Owner, Thunderwood Farms Producer: Rich Braman Episode Release Date: Sunday, May 31st, 2026 Episode Length: 50:15 “Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱

Thrips Parvispinus - From Quarantine Crisis to Integrated Solutions with Dr. Alexandra Revynthi

THRIPS PARVISPINUS — FROM QUARANTINE CRISIS TO INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS When an invasive thrips species arrived in Florida and shut down nurseries overnight, Dr. Alexandra Revynthi and her team raced to find answers within a 48-hour window. This is the story of that research — and the integrated solutions that followed. EPISODE DESCRIPTION What happens when a single insect — just one — can place an entire nursery under quarantine? That’s the reality Florida ornamental growers faced when Thrips parvispinus arrived. In this episode, Dr. Ping Yu sits down with Dr. Alexandra Revynthi, assistant professor of ornamental entomology and acarology at the University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center, to explore the science behind managing one of the most challenging invasive pests to hit the ornamental industry in recent years. Alexandra shares her remarkable journey from collecting flowers at her grandmother’s house in Greece at age 11 to becoming a leading researcher in ornamental pest management — with a surprising detour through mites and roses in Amsterdam along the way. Together, Ping and Alexandra dive deep into the practical research that’s giving growers real tools: from the lab screening that identified which products actually work against this pest, to an innovative dip treatment approach that lets propagators start clean. Whether you’re a grower battling thrips in your operation, a student fascinated by entomology, or a plant enthusiast who wants to know why that gardenia looks a little rough — this episode is packed with plant power and practical wisdom. Listen Time: 48:19 View this Episode’s Transcript [https://bandbpod.com/pages/thrips-parvispinus-ipm-with-dr-alexandra-revynthi-blooms-and-beyond-s01e12] Consulte las Notas del Programa [https://site.caes.uga.edu/yulab/blooms-beyond-a-podcast-that-uncovers-plant-history-culture-and-management-through-the-lens-of-science/trips-parvispinus-de-crisis-de-cuarentena-a-soluciones-integradas/] IN THIS EPISODE GUEST Dr. Alexandra Revynthi — Assistant Professor, Ornamental Entomology and Acarology, University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center. Originally from Greece, Dr. Revynthi specializes in developing integrated pest management programs for pests of ornamental plants. Her research on Thrips parvispinus has provided critical tools for Florida’s ornamental industry during a quarantine crisis. Favorite plant: Phalaenopsis orchids. MAIN TOPICS * Meet Dr. Alexandra Revynthi — from Greece to Florida (01:14) * The chickpea connection: what’s in a name? (02:21) * From age 11 to acarologist: Alexandra’s journey to entomology (03:48) * Finding the world’s best mite scientist in Amsterdam (05:47) * Alexandra’s research program at UF TREC (07:36) * Thrips parvispinus arrives in Florida — “here we go again” (08:46) * The quarantine crisis: one insect shuts down a nursery (17:54) * Lab screening: 22 conventional + 11 biorational products tested (20:11) * Top-performing products: chlorfenapyr, XXpire, abamectin (24:27) * Biorational alternatives: mineral oil and sesame oil (26:15) * The scouting-first approach and rotation strategy (32:08) * Host plant favorites: bell pepper, gardenia, mandevilla (34:07) * Dip treatment innovation: start the crop clean (36:21) * Research gaps: integrating biological control (40:52) * New challenge: the two-spot cotton leafhopper (42:59) * Alexandra’s favorite plant: Phalaenopsis orchids (44:14) * AFE resources and closing (46:39) KEY HIGHLIGHTS * The 48-hour research window. When quarantine regulations gave growers just 48 hours to eradicate the pest and request reinspection, Alexandra’s team designed lab assays specifically around that timeline — and shared results with growers immediately rather than waiting for publication. * Old chemistry doesn’t work. Products that were highly effective against western flower thrips failed against Thrips parvispinus — explaining why growers’ initial management efforts were unsuccessful. * Three products that stood out. Chlorfenapyr (Pylon/Piston) was the top performer with 100% mortality. XXpire (sulfoxaflor + spinetoram) and abamectin (Avid) also showed strong results across lab and greenhouse trials. * Biorational options for rotation. Mineral oil (3%) and sesame oil formulations showed unexpected efficacy as residue treatments, offering non-synthetic rotation options — particularly valuable during fall and winter months. * Start clean with dip treatments. Treating cuttings before sticking with Suffoil-X (mineral oil at 2%) dislodged over 80% of thrips and caused no phytotoxicity — an innovative approach using Canada’s experience with western flower thrips as a model. * The beating method. A simple, practical scouting technique: white paper on a board, tap the canopy, look for the characteristic two-color pattern (golden yellow vs. dark brown/black). * Researcher vs. grower perspective. Fast lifecycle is great for researchers (quick results) but terrible for growers (rapid damage before you even see the pest). KEY QUOTES > “My parents always thought, she’s 11, she’s going to change her mind. It’s too early, but I didn’t. And I’m happy that I didn’t.” > — Dr. Alexandra Revynthi, on deciding to become an agronomist > “When the thrips arrived, we were like, ‘Okay, here we go again.’” > — Dr. Alexandra Revynthi, on Florida’s constant battle with invasive pests > “At that time, a single individual was enough to place a nursery under quarantine. Only one insect.” > — Dr. Alexandra Revynthi, on the quarantine threshold > “For the growers, definitely, it’s one of the worst nightmares that you can get from a pest because you cannot even see them. You only see the damage when the plants cannot be saved anymore.” > — Dr. Ping Yu > “We always encourage them to do the beating method.” > — Dr. Alexandra Revynthi, on practical scouting for Thrips parvispinus EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS * Thrips parvispinus (common name: short spine thrips, also called pepper thrips in Europe) — An invasive thrips species first officially reported in Florida in 2020. Smaller than western flower thrips. Distinguished by its two-color pattern: golden yellow thorax and darker brown/black abdomen. * Acarology — The scientific study of mites and ticks. Dr. Revynthi is one of a limited number of mite specialists in the United States. * Biorational insecticides — Insecticides derived from natural resources, including botanical insecticides (plant-derived active ingredients), mineral/petroleum-based oils, and microbial insecticides (fungi or bacteria-based formulations like Beauveria bassiana). * The beating method — A field scouting technique: place a white piece of paper on a board, gently tap the plant canopy over it, and examine the dislodged insects with a magnifying lens to identify potential thrips. * Dip treatment — A propagation technique where cuttings are immersed in a pesticide solution before being stuck (planted for rooting). Not all products are labeled for dip use — the label must specifically permit it. * Suffoil-X — A mineral oil product that received an emergency exemption for dip treatment use against Thrips parvispinus in the US. Already labeled for dipping in Canada. * Entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes — Organisms that naturally infect and kill insects. Dr. Revynthi’s team has identified several as potential biocontrol agents against Thrips parvispinus. * Photodegradation — The breakdown of chemical compounds by light, which can reduce the effectiveness of some insecticides (like abamectin) in greenhouse settings compared to controlled lab conditions. RESOURCES & LINKS * Website: bandbpod.com [https://bandbpod.com/@bloomsandbeyond] * AFE Thrips and Botrytis Research Library: endowment.org/resource/tb [https://endowment.org/resource/tb] — Additional Thrips parvispinus and botrytis resources from the American Floral Endowment * American Floral Endowment: endowment.org [https://endowment.org] — Research and educational resources for the floral industry * UF TREC Thrips parvispinus webpage — Webinars, research results, and product evaluation data (link in show notes at bandbpod.com [https://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/people/alexandra-revynthi/thrips-parvispinus/]) * Contact your local extension office [https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices.html] for thrips identification assistance ABOUT BLOOMS AND BEYOND Blooms and Beyond explores plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower seeking practical solutions, a student exploring careers in horticulture, or simply someone who loves plants and their stories, there’s something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu of the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who share enchanting stories, cutting-edge research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture. Your benefit: After each episode, commercial growers will have at least one useful tip for their operation, and plant enthusiasts will have an interesting fact to share. That’s how we spread plant power to more people and make our environment a little better. CREDITS Host: Dr. Ping Yu Producer: Rich Braman Guest: Dr. Alexandra Revynthi, University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center Support: American Floral Endowment Educational Grant Episode Release Date: April 12, 2026 Episode Length: 48:19 “Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱

Science Translators on the Front Lines: Urban Extension in Metro Atlanta with Gabrielle LaTora and Eric Marlowe

SCIENCE TRANSLATORS ON THE FRONT LINES: URBAN EXTENSION IN METRO ATLANTA WITH GABRIELLE LATORA AND ERIC MARLOWE EPISODE DESCRIPTION What happens when two self-described suburban kids with a hunger for nature end up as county extension agents in Georgia’s most populous counties? In this episode, Dr. Ping Yu sits down with Gabrielle LaTora (UGA Extension, Fulton County) and Eric Marlowe (UGA Extension, Gwinnett County) for a wide-ranging conversation about the land-grant university system, the role of extension agents as “science translators,” and the surprising diversity of agriculture happening in metro Atlanta. From the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890 to the modern challenges of soil contamination and stormwater management in urban food production, Gabrielle and Eric share their winding paths to extension, what a typical work week looks like, and why — in an age of AI and information overload — having a real person to talk to matters more than ever. Along the way, you’ll hear about mealworm protein powder in shipping containers, equine production rankings that shocked even the local agent, and why every extension agent eventually has to learn about lawns. Listen Time: 60:44 IN THIS EPISODE GUESTS * Gabrielle LaTora — Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, UGA Extension Fulton County. Entomologist by training, passionate about small-scale urban farming and supporting metro Atlanta’s diverse agricultural community. * Eric Marlowe — Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, UGA Extension Gwinnett County. Landscape architecture graduate (UGA, 2012) turned extension agent, with interests in green industry workforce development and reconnecting urban communities with nature. MAIN TOPICS * Gabrielle and Eric’s meandering paths to extension (01:03) * Growing up without gardens — how suburban kids found agriculture (04:05) * Discovering extension: Eric’s wife pointed him to it; Gabrielle found it in grad school (10:48) * The land-grant university story: Morrill Acts of 1862, 1890, and 1994 (16:04) * Georgia’s dual land-grant system: UGA and Fort Valley State (19:00) * The three pillars: teaching, research, and extension (20:41) * Extension in the age of AI: the value of evidence-based, unbiased information (21:54) * What extension actually does: soil testing, Master Gardeners, 4-H, and more (25:14) * A typical work week for a metro county agent (32:22) * Identifying stakeholder needs in urban counties (36:54) * Fulton County’s surprise: equine production ranked #1 in Georgia (44:07) * Unique urban challenges: soil contamination and stormwater management (45:21) * Green industry and workforce development in Gwinnett County (48:02) * Skills every agent needs — and why lawns keep coming up (51:13) * One sentence for the audience (56:23) KEY HIGHLIGHTS * Dream jobs from unexpected paths. Both Gabrielle and Eric describe extension as their “dream job,” despite neither knowing what extension was until well into adulthood. Gabrielle found it through grad school at University of Florida; Eric’s wife discovered it during an internet search during his career pivot. * The land-grant system explained. The episode delivers an accessible primer on the Morrill Acts, the Smith-Lever Act, and how the three-pillar model (teaching, research, extension) deploys agents into every Georgia county as “science translators” — or, as Dr. Kemwright calls them, “the tip of the spear.” * Urban agriculture is more diverse than you think. Fulton County alone has small-scale urban farms, equine facilities, community gardens, cut flowers, indoor farming, hay and forage, nursery operations, and even a mealworm producer growing mealworms in a shipping container to process into protein powder. * Extension vs. AI. Both agents make a compelling case for extension’s relevance in the information age: when you can’t tell whether a YouTube video or AI summary is backed by science, extension provides evidence-based, unbiased recommendations from a real person you can talk to. * Data-driven programming. Gabrielle shares how reviewing the USDA Census of Agriculture revealed Fulton County ranked #1 in Georgia and 42nd nationally in equine production — a sector she wasn’t addressing — leading her to add a new initiative on sustainable forage production. KEY QUOTES > “We’ve got to have all these smart, creative people doing research and generating knowledge, but then it really doesn’t mean anything if there isn’t somebody to communicate that to the public.” > — Gabrielle LaTora (01:48) > “I’m like the Mouth of Sauron. I just, you know, with the university.” > — Eric Marlowe (10:55) > “Those people are the science translators for the university.” > — Gabrielle LaTora (13:43) > “How do we reconnect these human beings to this most human of all practices, which is cultivate the land in some way, shape or form.” > — Eric Marlowe (49:37) > “All the stuff that AI that we’re apparently in competition with as ag agents, most of the stuff they’re pulling on is stuff that Extension already published. Cut away the nonsense and get to the source.” > — Eric Marlowe (58:39) EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS * Land-Grant Universities: Established by the Morrill Acts of 1862 (general), 1890 (historically Black colleges and universities), and 1994 (tribal institutions). Georgia has two land-grant universities: the University of Georgia (1862) and Fort Valley State University (1890), each with its own extension system. * The Three Pillars: All land-grant institutions operate on a three-pillar model — teaching, research, and extension. Extension is the system that distributes university-generated knowledge into communities throughout the state. * Smith-Lever Act (1914): Formally established the cooperative extension system housed at land-grant universities, deploying agents into counties across the nation. * Cooperative Extension: Called “cooperative” because the land-grant university cooperates with county government (and sometimes school boards). Counties provide resources like office space, IT, and equipment; agents are accountable to both the university and county commissioners. * The Three Program Areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources (A&NR) handles everything outside the home; Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) handles everything inside the home; 4-H serves youth. There is significant crossover among the three. * Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program: A major pipeline through which the public discovers extension. Master Gardener volunteers extend the reach of county agents into communities in ways a single agent never could. * Soil Contamination in Urban Agriculture: A significant challenge for urban food producers. Unknown land-use histories (industrial sites, arsenic-treated wood structures, highway proximity) create food safety concerns. Testing methodology for contamination differs from standard fertility testing, and mitigation (e.g., raised beds with imported potting mix) can be prohibitively expensive. RESOURCES & LINKS * Blooms and Beyond: bandbpod.com [https://bandbpod.com] * UGA Extension — Find Your Local Office: Contact your county extension office for free, evidence-based information on agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources. * UGA Center for Urban Agriculture (Griffin, GA): Home of the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional and Georgia Certified Plant Professional programs. * Food Well Alliance: Organization serving metro Atlanta counties, supporting local food systems and urban agriculture. * The Reluctant Farmer — Book mentioned by Eric Marlowe on the history of extension and its relationship with the farmers it serves. * Jean-Martin Fortier, The Market Gardener — Book mentioned by Eric on small-scale organic farming, influential in his journey. * USDA Census of Agriculture: National agricultural data published periodically; the most recent edition (referenced in episode) was released after a gap since 2017. ABOUT BLOOMS AND BEYOND Blooms and Beyond explores plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower seeking practical solutions, a student exploring careers in horticulture, or simply someone who loves plants and their stories, there’s something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu of the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who share enchanting stories, cutting-edge research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture. Your benefit: After each episode, commercial growers will have at least one useful tip for their operation, and plant enthusiasts will have an interesting fact to share. That’s how we spread plant power to more people and make our environment a little better. CREDITS Host: Dr. Ping Yu Producer: Rich Braman Guests: Gabrielle LaTora, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, UGA Extension Fulton County; Eric Marlowe, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, UGA Extension Gwinnett County Episode Release Date: March 29th, 2026 Episode Length: 60:44 “Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱

Botrytis Blight: Gray Mold, Calcium Shields, and Building a Better Box with Dr. Jim Faust

BLOOMS AND BEYOND - SEASON 1, EPISODE 10 EPISODE TITLE: “Botrytis Blight: Gray Mold, Calcium Shields, and Building a Better Box” ---------------------------------------- EPISODE DESCRIPTION What if the key to fighting one of floriculture’s most persistent enemies isn’t a fungicide — but a nutrient you can buy for $2 an acre? In this episode, host Dr. Ping Yu sits down with Dr. Jim Faust of Clemson University to tackle botrytis blight, the gray mold that haunts greenhouses and shipping boxes alike. Jim brings eight years of hands-on botrytis research and a passion for poinsettias that’s turning into a book. From the disease triangle to the surprising power of calcium chloride sprays, Jim walks growers through practical, cost-effective strategies for managing this ubiquitous pathogen. Along the way, you’ll discover why botrytis mutates so aggressively, how a half-sprayed petunia flower proved calcium’s protective power, and why zinnia petals might be secretly doing photosynthesis. Whether you’re a commercial grower battling spring meltdowns or a plant enthusiast curious about the science behind disease management, this episode delivers both practical wisdom and fascinating plant biology. Listen Time: 48:51 Consulte las Notas del Programa [https://site.caes.uga.edu/yulab/blooms-beyond-a-podcast-that-uncovers-plant-history-culture-and-management-through-the-lens-of-science/blooms-and-beyond-temporada-1-episodio-10/] Read the Transcript for this Episode [https://bandbpod.com/pages/botrytis-blight-gray-mold-calcium-shields-and-building-a-better-box] ---------------------------------------- IN THIS EPISODE GUEST * Dr. Jim Faust — Professor of Floriculture, Clemson University. Career-long floriculturist with eight years of botrytis research in partnership with the American Floral Endowment. Currently writing a book on the domestication history of the poinsettia. MAIN TOPICS Meet Jim Faust (00:55) Jim’s lifelong career in floriculture, childhood gardens with a mother who counted 200 deadheaded petunias a day, and how he met Ping at an AFE National Floral Forum meeting. Plant Spotlight: Poinsettias (03:16) Jim’s favorite plant and its remarkable domestication journey — from a 12–15 foot shrub in Mexico to the #1 or #2 potted flowering plant in the U.S. with only a four-to-five-week market window. Why breeders target production traits like heat tolerance rather than appearance, and the book Jim is writing to tell this “fantastic story.” What Is Botrytis Blight? (08:19) The causal organism Botrytis cinerea, the disease triangle (pathogen + environment + susceptible host), and why greenhouses create a “perfect storm” for infection. Jim explains why botrytis is omnipresent, can never be eradicated, and thrives in the high 60s to low 70s with high humidity. How Botrytis Spreads and What to Look For (13:32) Airborne spore dispersal, the critical role of sanitation, and early detection: small beige-colored lesions on petals. Jim describes botrytis as a necrotroph that devours cells as it grows, and explains the dreaded “petunia flower meltdown” that occurs during shipping. Biorationals vs. Traditional Chemicals (22:42) Why fungicide resistance is such a serious problem with botrytis (aggressive asexual mutation), and how biorationals can extend the useful life of chemical fungicides by interrupting rotation schedules. Jim walks through five categories: biocontrol agents, biofungicides, plant extracts/essential oils, systemic acquired resistance (SAR) products, and plant nutrients. Calcium: The Nutrient Defense (29:52) Jim’s signature research area. Why flower petals have only 5% of the calcium found in leaves, how calcium strengthens cell walls to resist fungal penetration, and the practical recommendation: calcium chloride sprays at 500–1,000 ppm, tank-mixed with other products, for about $2 per acre. The half-sprayed petunia experiment that proved coverage matters. Current Research Projects (41:20) Three exciting projects: (1) Itersonilia, a little-studied disease hitting gerbera daisy, chrysanthemum, and sunflower cut flower growers; (2) building better shipping boxes for unrooted cuttings to reduce ethylene damage; (3) post-harvest longevity for domestic cut flowers — including the discovery that zinnia petals do photosynthesis and storing them under cheap LEDs dramatically improves vase life. KEY HIGHLIGHTS * Botrytis has no sexual stage — it mutates aggressively, making fungicide resistance inevitable with repeated applications * Calcium chloride at 500–1,000 ppm is an inexpensive, effective tool (~$2/acre) that strengthens cell walls against fungal penetration * The “half-flower experiment”: one side sprayed with calcium resists botrytis while the unsprayed side succumbs * Zinnia petals are green on the underside, have stomata, and appear to photosynthesize — storing cut zinnias under low-level LED light (100 foot candles) dramatically extends vase life * Poinsettia is one of the top potted flowering plants in the U.S. despite being sold in only a four-to-five-week window ---------------------------------------- KEY QUOTES > “There’s no such thing as a bad plant, but I have a soft spot for poinsettias.” — Dr. Jim Faust > “With every application of a fungicide, you are selecting for resistance.” — Dr. Jim Faust > “There’s nothing easier than spraying a chemical. It gets awfully complicated when we go to bio-based products.” — Dr. Jim Faust > “The best strategy is to prevent them from happening so that you don’t have to deal with the big issue or the big trouble.” — Dr. Ping Yu ---------------------------------------- EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS The Disease Triangle Three conditions must be present simultaneously for disease to occur: (1) the pathogen, (2) a conducive environment, and (3) a susceptible host. For botrytis in greenhouses, all three are almost always present — making management, not eradication, the realistic goal. Botrytis cinerea — Gray Mold A ubiquitous, airborne fungal pathogen that causes gray mold (botrytis blight). It is a necrotroph, meaning it kills and devours plant cells as it spreads. It thrives in temperatures around 65–70°F with high humidity, but can grow even in 40°F coolers. The pathogen reproduces asexually and mutates aggressively, leading to rapid fungicide resistance development. Biorationals — Five Categories 1. Biocontrol agents — living organisms applied to plant tissue (trickiest to use; prefer soil over aerial environments) 2. Biofungicides — biologically derived compounds that act like fungicides (not living; more straightforward) 3. Plant extracts / essential oils — can be effective (e.g., thyme oil) but risk phytotoxicity 4. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) products — trigger the plant’s own defense mechanisms (take time to work; energy cost to the plant) 5. Plant nutrients — especially calcium, which strengthens cell walls and may serve as a stress signal Calcium and Cell Wall Defense Flower petals accumulate very little calcium compared to leaves (as low as 0.05% vs. 1% in leaves) because petals lack stomata and don’t transpire much water. Calcium chloride sprays at 500–1,000 ppm applied weekly — especially before periods of high botrytis risk — strengthen cell walls and reduce fungal penetration. This is the same principle behind blossom end rot in tomatoes: breeding for larger fruit without sufficient calcium transport creates vulnerability. Zinnia Post-Harvest Discovery Zinnia petals are green on the underside and contain stomata, suggesting they perform photosynthesis. Storing harvested zinnias under low-level LED light (~100 foot candles / 20 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) in the low 60s°F preserves vase life significantly better than dark storage. This could help domestic cut flower growers accumulate inventory for farmer’s markets by cutting over multiple days. ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES & LINKS Visit the Show: * Website: bandbpod.com * Show notes and additional resources at bandbpod.com AFE Resources: * AFE Thrips and Botrytis Research Library: endowment.org/resource/tb * American Floral Endowment: endowment.org Get Involved: * Subscribe to the podcast * Leave a review * Share with fellow plant lovers * Support the show (details at bandbpod.com) Funding: This episode is supported by the American Floral Endowment Educational Grant, whose research priorities helped shape the topics that are featured. To learn more about AFE and access their research and educational resources, visit endowment.org. ---------------------------------------- ABOUT BLOOMS AND BEYOND Blooms and Beyond explores plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower seeking practical solutions, a student exploring careers in horticulture, or simply someone who loves plants and their stories, there’s something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu of the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who share enchanting stories, cutting-edge research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture. Your benefit: After each episode, commercial growers will have at least one useful tip for their operation, and plant enthusiasts will have an interesting fact to share. That’s how we spread plant power to more people and make our environment a little better. ---------------------------------------- CREDITS Host: Dr. Ping Yu Guest: Dr. Jim Faust, Professor of Floriculture, Clemson University Producer: Rich Braman Support: American Floral Endowment Educational Grant Episode Release Date: March 15, 2026 Episode Length: 48:51 ---------------------------------------- “Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱