Thank you(!)

In January 2017, the first Production Pointers column appeared in Greenhouse Management. I had been writing the Hydroponic Production Primer column for sister magazine Produce Grower for a year, and I told then-editor Karen Varga that Greenhouse Management could use a similar production-oriented column — and I could write this one, too!

She agreed, and now, after eight years in print (and 96 columns later), the time has come for a change. This is going to be the last Production Pointers column I will be writing for Greenhouse Management. The time for new voices, ideas and perspectives has come, and I am happy to help usher it in. While there is a little sadness in penning (or typing, I guess?) this last column, the opportunity to say goodbye lets me reflect on what has been a wonderful experience. And I’d like to take this chance to recognize and appreciate everybody who made it happen.

First, I would like to thank all of you who read Greenhouse Management in print or online. When trying to determine how to approach this column, I’ve tried my best to put myself in your shoes. I was a commercial grower prior to going to graduate school and starting my academic career, and I can tell you that is still where my heart lies. My hope is that the information we’ve presented in this column has served you — and your crops — well.

Some of the most instrumental people in this column (perhaps even unbeknownst to them) have been the students (both graduate and undergraduate) working in my lab. They are the ones who are doing much of the day-in and day-out work of our research, and their dedication and labor are what give us reliable and dependable results that allow us to improve our production practices.

In addition to students, I would also like to recognize all my colleagues in hydroponics and controlled environment agriculture who provide the inspiration for me to keep learning. A rising tide floats all boats, and there is no community quite like the greenhouse and controlled environment communities. I am continually impressed by the work my peers are doing and the new information and insights they are bringing to the industry.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the individuals who have been instrumental over the past eight years in helping make the Production Pointers column happen. Over the years, several editors of Greenhouse Management have helped guide the content and put polish on the articles that I wasn’t able to. Specifically, former editors Karen Varga and Chris Manning and current editors Kelli Rodda and Patrick Coleman have been excellent partners to work with.

I think my earliest editorial memory was being told that my use of the exclamation point was a bit excessive and that “while we at the magazine know you and know the exclamation points make sense, it may not translate to the readers.” Aside from managing my penchant for exclamation points, they’ve added clarity and brevity to the text, developed catchy headlines and provided crisp formatting. They've each helped me grow as an author (with, I would like to add, the patience of saints!).

While I may be saying “goodbye” for now, it won’t be for long. Though I will no longer be coming to you in every edition of Greenhouse Management, you will still see articles from me — just a bit less frequently. What am I going to do with that free time, you may wonder? Well, you can be sure I’ll be reading Greenhouse Management to stay up to date with everything greenhouse and floriculture!

With gratitude — Chris