January 2020 - 19

2020 GPN/NEXUS INTERN OF THE YEAR
Going into his internship, Spall believed he would just be learning
about growing plants and the care and processes behind it. But after
requesting to work with upper management on some of the more dayto-day
tasks, Spall says working with Danny Missler, grower manager
at Green Circle, on some of the processes and behind-the-scenes
operational things are where he learned the most.
" They really showed me - by attending manager meetings, going
through task lists, etc. - that there's so much else that goes into
(operating a greenhouse), " Spall says. " Coming into the internship, I
wasn't expecting to have that exposure. "
It was seeing how all the different pieces of the puzzle work together,
Spall says, that really helped him understand what it means to work in
floriculture and the effort behind it - learning to rely on others, how
to be a good collaborator, and learning the ins and outs of the different
growing practices themselves.
" I really saw how these different sectors work together to attain the
material, establish it, distribute it and sell it, " Spall says. " I learned so
much about the entire process itself, rather than just the growing. "
LOOKING FORWARD
Spall would like to continue his work in the research and development
side of the industry, including helping organizations implement more
sustainable practices and innovating the reduced use of chemicals
throughout the growing process - something he was able to help with
Spall says his position with the SHA provided opportunities to innovate
in the greenhouses to improve crop yield and quality, as well as his
understanding of commercial growing. More recently, the SHA is working in
experimenting with sub irrigation methods, and are working to implement
new IPM protocols to improve the production of crops for the school's
spring plant sale.
" By aiding in Dr. Roberto Lopez's research efforts, I am able to focus
on floriculture while simultaneously helping to provide the industry with
advanced knowledge regarding the benefits of horticultural light-emitting
diode (LED) technology, " Spall adds.
during his internship.
" As I was there, I brainstormed a lot of different ways to use less
chemicals, " Spall says. " Green Circle gave me the scope of what the
current industry is, and inspired me to brainstorm and think about how,
in the future, growing techniques can be changed. It prompted me to
think about the future of floriculture. "
Caleb Spall is currently a senior at Michigan State University. After he
graduates, he plans to travel to the Netherlands to pursue his master's
degree in plant sciences with a specialization in greenhouse horticulture
at Wageningen University.
" My time at MSU has really changed my outlook on horticulture... it's
impacted my life tremendously, " Spall says. " As far as my internship - it
was an amazing experience. There's no question, after my experience
at Green Circle, I felt so welcome in the industry. I'm very excited to
continue to pursue my education in the field. "
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Pleasant View Gardens, Inc. » 603-435-8361 » pwpvg.com

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January 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2020