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Building Community at The Growing Place

Siblings Becca and Michael Massat carry forward a family tradition while building a team that feels like family. At The Growing Place in Aurora and Naperville, Illinois, the transition from second-generation to third-generation leadership isn’t simply a passing of the torch, but a thoughtful blending of legacy and reinvention. Siblings Becca and Michael Massat grew […]

Building Connections with Melinda Knuth

Melinda Knuth’s time as a HortScholar shaped her horticultural career. For Dr. Melinda Knuth, now an assistant professor at North Carolina State University, her HortScholar experience remains a defining chapter in her professional journey. She participated in the program in 2017 while pursuing her Ph.D. at Texas A&M, which blended horticulture with business management and […]

Beyond Taxes: What Ag Businesses Should Be Talking About in 2026

By Tommy Irvine, Lead Agriculture Advisor, Pinion Tax planning is only one piece of a financially resilient horticulture business. The most successful growers take a broader, year-round approach — one that examines the whole operation, not just the books. Today’s environment is challenging: labor shortages, rising interest rates, higher input costs, slim margins, shifting consumer […]

2025: A Year of Measured Recovery and Strategic Adaptation

By Dr. Charlie Hall, Professor & Ellison Chair in International Floriculture, Texas A&M University and AmericanHort Chief Economist As 2025 ends, the green industry can reflect on a year that, while not delivering the robust growth many hoped for, demonstrated our sector’s fundamental resilience and capacity for strategic evolution. Following the turbulence of recent years, […]

Building Community at The Growing Place

Siblings Becca and Michael Massat carry forward a family tradition while building a team that feels like family. At The Growing Place in Aurora and Naperville, Illinois, the transition from second-generation to third-generation leadership isn’t simply a passing of the torch, but a thoughtful blending of legacy and reinvention. Siblings Becca and Michael Massat grew […]

Building a Career, One Connection at a Time

For Sayde Heckman, the HortScholar program was more than just a professional development opportunity—it was the turning point that shaped her career. Heckman, who earned her bachelor’s degree in plant science from the University of Missouri, applied to the program in 2016 at her advisor Mary Ann Gowdy’s encouragement. “It sounded like a really cool […]

Building Systems, Teams, and Trust at Oakland Green Interiors

For Genevieve Mills, growth has gone beyond expanding client lists in interior and exterior plant design. In her roles as Director of Oakland Green Interiors and Chief Operating Officer and In-House Counsel of Oakland Nurseries in Columbus, Ohio, she has prioritized developing strong internal systems to set the stage for long-term success. Several years ago, […]

Tax Planning for Horticulture Ahead of 2026

By Tommy Irvine, Lead Agriculture Advisor, Pinion Horticulture businesses, like other agricultural operations, are often met with both challenges and opportunities when it comes to tax planning. From depreciation strategies, inventory management, and yield projections, to ag-focused tax credits and incentives, income averaging, entity structure, estate planning, and accounting methods — there are many important […]

Diversifying Revenue Streams in Garden Centers

How independent garden centers are creating opportunities to boost revenue and loyalty. Independent garden centers are finding that offering alternative products and services keep customers visiting year-round, not just during peak seasons. Online and big-box competition is intensifying, and shoppers expect more than a simple checkout transaction alone. Customers want services, experiences, and a sense […]