July 2023 - 6

perspectives
BY NATHAN JAHNKE
Under Pressure?
When you think of North Dakota, you
Nathan Jahnke,
cultural research
manager at Ball
Horticultural Co., is
a member of GPN's
40 Under 40 Class
of 2023. He can be
reached at njahnke@
ballhort.com.
probably don't think of horticultural diversity
and lush gardens. So how did I get started
in horticulture? My family loves plants.
From my grandmother's perennials to my
dad's vegetable garden, I had plenty of
opportunity to experience what a Zone
3-4 could offer ... or maybe not offer. Fast
forward to middle school - my dad and I
built a small lean-to greenhouse out of old
windows and started Nathan's Greenhouse.
My passion for plants then exploded.
I produced and sold vegetables and
bedding plants for almost 10 years before
starting my bachelor's at North Dakota
State University. Throughout undergrad,
I garnered a wide variety of experiences
with internships at Como Park Zoo and
Conservatory and Ball Horticultural Co.,
conducted tissue culture research and grape
breeding, and even published a paper on
micropropagation of wisteria.
I developed an expertise in postharvest
handling of floriculture inputs and cut flowers
through a masters degree and doctorate at
North Carolina State University under John
Dole, Ph.D. In my current position at Ball, I
coordinate the technical services team and
develop solutions for the industry through
culture research.
My relatively short professional career has
been a blur so far! I've experienced plant
pathogens disrupt the supply of some
of the largest volume crops, not
to mention the impact of COVID
on " normal " life and business.
I relate to many young
professionals who came into
the industry since 2020.
There is a lot of pressure.
Pressure to succeed,
pressure to improve and
pressure to fill the shoes of
6 JULY 2023 GPNMAG.COM
those who helped take this industry from mineral
soils to high-density peat-based plugs and
develop a global vegetative supply chain.
Have you ever heard the question: " Oh, you
are the next so and so? " Whether you're trying
to carry on a legacy, become more profitable or
breed the next resistant variety, the future may
look quite challenging. Handling this pressure
isn't easy, but it's worth it. I've had to learn
quickly in my role and develop a system even
faster. A big part of that system is collaborating
with other divisions in Ball - academics and
I've been told
and learned that
things don't get
easier - you
learn how to
handle the hard
stuff better.
industry partners. Collaborating with a wide
range of colleagues is something that I do
every day and it's helped me develop in my
career immensely.
Many of you likely rely on the research
or consultation of others to make informed
decisions about challenges in the future.
Well, if you look around there are fewer and
fewer people out there that are supporting
the industry. I have helped build a network of
experts while here at Ball. These people from
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
July 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2023
