Thank you(!)

In January 2016, the first Production Primer appeared in Produce Grower magazine. I can’t remember exactly how it was conceived, but I know it involved me bugging then-editor Karen Varga that a column focusing on hydroponic and controlled environment crop production would be a good idea — and I’d be just the guy to write it.

Well, she bought it!

Now, after nine years (and 72 columns), the time has come for a change. This is going to be the last Production Primer I will be writing for Produce Grower. 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 Produce Grower 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 aspects of our research, and their dedication and hard work 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 community. 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 that have been instrumental over the past nine years, helping make the Production Primer column happen. Over the years, several editors of Produce Grower 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.” Not just managing my penchant for exclamation points, from adding clarity and brevity to the text to developing catchy headlines and crisp formatting, the editors 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 Produce Grower, 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 Produce Grower to stay up to date with everything hydroponic and CEA!

With gratitude — Chris

Christopher J. Currey is an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. ccurrey@iastate.edu