The 2025 Ohio Floriculture & Nursery Conference, held on October 16th at The Ohio State University’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (CEARC), brought together leading voices in the floriculture and nursery industries for a day of cutting-edge insights, research-based strategies, and meaningful connections.
Organized by Dr. Garrett Owen, Specialist in Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Production Systems, the conference offered both in-person and online participants a comprehensive look at the latest innovations in sustainable production practices.
This year’s program featured two keynote addresses from renowned experts:
- Dr. Brian Jackson (North Carolina State University) shared critical insights into the evolving growing media market, including advancements in wood fiber substrates and nutrient management in peat-reduced mixes.
- Dr. Michelle Jones (The Ohio State University), the D.C. Kiplinger Floriculture Endowed Chair, presented her research on novel plant growth-promoting bacteria aimed at reducing fertilizer use in floriculture crop production.
Additional invited speakers included Dr. Chieri Kubota, Dr. Luis Cañas, Dr. Peter Ling, and Dr. Mimi Rose of The Ohio State University, each contributing valuable perspectives on topics such as integrated pest management, plant nutrition, biostimulants, and root-zone substrate science.
Participants were also eligible for pesticide recertification credits in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, highlighting the conference’s strong practical value for industry professionals.
The day concluded with guided tours of the CEARC facility, offering in-person attendees a first-hand look at the groundbreaking research and technology shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture.
We thank all of our speakers, attendees, and sponsors for making this event a success. The enthusiasm and engagement from our floriculture and nursery community continue to drive innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in our industry.
We look forward to seeing you at next year’s conference!