contributors
Peyam Barghassa was born in Iran,
Spencer Bath is a soil alchemist,
Chris Bond is the horticulturist at Case
Western Reserve University in Cleveland,
Ohio. His primary role is coordinator of
the university’s Farm Food Program. His
research interests are beneficial insects,
biological pest control and alternative
growing methods. He is a certified
permaculture designer and nursery
technician in Ohio and a certified nursery
professional in New York.
David Kessler heads research and
Kyle L. Ladenburger is a passionate
Russell Landry is the former vice
Dr. Robert Linderman is a retired research
plant pathologist and former research
leader at the USDA-ARS Horticultural
Crops Research Laboratory in Corvallis,
Oregon. He is also a courtesy Professor
Emeritus at Oregon State University.
He’s been in the industry for nearly 50
years and is currently the science guy
for two companies: Plant Health, LLC
and Santiam Organics, LLC.
Dr. Hugh McLaughlin is
based just outside of Harvard in
Massachusetts and is a specialist
in activated carbon and biochar. He
is a leading expert in the area of
biochar properties and biocarbon
processing with more than 25 years
of experience with activated carbon
and its applications. He teaches
and consults around the world.
Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B.
but grew up in Spain and New York City. He
earned an MS in soil science at Texas A&M
University as well as a BA in humanities
and a BS in agronomy from North Carolina
State University. He traveled to Guatemala
with the Peace Corps to work on agricultural
projects from 2005-2007 Peyam has been
.
Hydrofarm’s Southeast and Mid-Atlantic
territory manager since January 2012.
anarcho-capitalist and promoter
of biological and organic growing
techniques. He is also the
proprietor of Ecological Farming
LLC of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and
a purveyor of the world’s finest
soil amendments. Spencer can be
found at agri-charge.com
development at Atlantis Hydroponics
and writes for their popular blog. David
has over two decades of experience
and multiple degrees from the State
University of New York. He’s also an
accredited judge for the American
Orchid Society and travels the world
judging orchid events. Follow his blog
at atlantishydroponics.wordpress.com
indoor and outdoor gardener. He is
also a freelance garden writer. With
nearly 10 years in the industry working
for Age Old Organics, he is well versed
in numerous growing methods with a
focus on soil health.
president of the Great Pumpkin
Commonwealth and its competitive
weigh-off sites held worldwide. He
is now the current president of the
Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario
(gvgo.ca). Russ grows giant pumpkins,
tomatoes and squash. He has written
numerous articles featuring methods to
increase vegetable size and fruit yield.
Hort. Tech. degree and a PhD in
hydroponic greenhouse production
from Massey University, New
Zealand. Lynette is a partner with
SUNTEC International Hydroponic
Consultants and has authored five
hydroponic technical books. Visit
suntec.co.nz for more information.
Baron Wasteland has more than 20
years of experience working with team
members at a horticultu