Stepping up

I’m fairly late to the podcast world. I typically prefer listening to music while I exercise or rage against my commute. However, there’s a guy at my office who is always recommending new podcasts. Whenever he suggests a new one, I roll my eyes. I usually haven’t listened to the previous one yet. Now that I’ve made my position on that topic known, let me recommend a podcast to you!

If you’re at all interested in native plants, you really should listen to Tom Knezick and Fran Chismar on the "Native Plants, Healthy Planet" podcast. I’ll be first to admit I don’t always know what plants are being discussed, but I always feel a little smarter after I listen to an episode.

Find them wherever you find your favorite podcasts. While you’re at it, check out "The Growth Industry," too, from my colleagues in the GIE Media Horticulture Group. We’re only 265 episodes behind Tom and Fran, but we’re trying to add to the conversation. Our next episode will be a collection of interviews from the Cultivate trade show floor.

I had a great visit with the Pinelands Nursery crew a few months ago. I learned about native seed propagation and got to talk about my favorite New Jersey band, The Gaslight Anthem, with actual New Jerseyans. I want to share a story Tom told that didn’t make it into the cover story, but is a great example of why he was a perfect choice for a Horticultural Industries Leadership Award.

Tom was in his early 20s when he received an invite to a meeting of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association. He wasn’t sure he wanted to give up his free time, but after going to a couple meetings, he could see the value of getting involved. His friend Daryl Kobesky, currently of Sunset Farmstead, then of Pleasant Run Nursery, was on the NJNLA board at the time. Daryl made a point that stuck with Tom.

“It gives you something to introduce yourself as when you’re walking into a room,” he says. “People take you more seriously when you say ‘I’m Tom from the NJNLA board' than just being Tom from Pinelands Nursery.”

Sure enough, Tom’s currently the president of NJNLA. And Tom made it a priority to get involved in more associations. For instance, after attending his first meeting at the Atlantic Seed Association, and thinking it was worthwhile, he told the board he’d be willing to run for a seat once one opened. Soon enough, he was a member of the board, then the president.

Tom didn’t look at this position, or any of his other volunteer leadership opportunities, as a way to grow his business.

“I was hoping I did a good enough job in the position that people gain respect for me and then that would earn their business,” he says.

As groups come and go, Tom continues to look for more opportunities to meet new people and make connections. Read more about Tom in this month's cover story.