Lecture: Sustainable nursery of the future - mulches, biocontrol and automation in practice (PRODUCTION BLOCK) 

BIO: I grew up in Dutch rose village Lottum, one of the nursery area’s in the Netherlands. My parents had a farm with bush roses, asparagus and agricultural crops. After my study horticulture I have worked on several nurseries in Boskoop, New Zealand and England. From 2000 – 2020 I was editor of Dutch nursery magazine ‘De Boomkwekerij’ and international magazine Floribusiness, reporting nurseries, garden centres and tradeshows worldwide.

Since 2021 I am working for the Dutch nursery association, LTO Trees, Perennials & Summerflowers: communication, organizing nursery meetings and the annual youth day: for young growers (age 16-35) and students. I have also lead projects about resilient growing of trees and shrubs and emission control in nurseries, part of a national LTO practical program in agriculture and horticulture. For this program I have also compiled brochures for growers in various crops on topics: integrated weed control, biostimulants and emission reduce.

Recently I am also helping the European Nurserystock Association with communication.

As a freelancer I am writing articles for nurseries and agricultural magazines. Finally I am chairman of a study group of 75 nurseries in Horst aan de Maas (including the Lottum area, southern Netherlands).