February 2021 - 18

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BY PETER KONJOIAN AND JUSTIN MAROTTA
Advancing an Industry: Grower Association,
University and Government Interdependence
Peter Konjoian is president of Konjoian's Horticulture
Education Services Inc. His career spans four decades as a
commercial grower, researcher and consultant. Justin Marotta
is a retired greenhouse grower, currently serving on various
boards. Konjoian can be reached at peterkfes@comcast.net.
O
ur guest today is Justin Marotta,
greenhouse grower and
floriculture industry leader. Justin
earned his bachelor's degree in business
management and finance at Ashland
University. He started his career as a
personnel director at F&R Lazarus and
later became co-owner of Possum Run
Greenhouse with his wife Lynn. He retired
recently after 41 years having served
as vice president, president and past
president of OFA, now AmericanHort. He
currently serves on boards at Kingwood
Center Gardens, a community bank and
his church as council president. Working
within the city of Mansfield, Ohio, Justin
also oversees the floral plantings working
with volunteers.
Peter: Thanks for joining me today,
Justin. Let's start with how you got into
the greenhouse business and how you
and your wife Lynn grew Possum Run
Greenhouse into a nationally recognized
operation.
Justin: Becoming a grower was purely
an urge I had while also understanding
the fortitude necessary for success. It
was something I knew from hands-on
experience having grown up in the
greenhouse industry observing how my
father and mother enjoyed the family
benefits of greenhouse life. So, on a whim
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and a prayer, the tears that my mother
shed, and the confidence my father
conveyed, off we went. We purchased
an old greenhouse range (the weeds
were as tall as me) complete with
dilapidated greenhouses falling down
around us. Thinking back on the naivete
that a 24-year-old brought to this rural
property with the goal of turning it into
a destination brings back many fond
memories.
Lynn continued to teach high school
home economics while I pursued the dayto-day
work at the greenhouse. After our
first son Eric was born, Lynn remained
home and she decided to join the
business and build its retail side. So in
1977, three years after our incorporation,
Lynn became an officer and manager, a
partner in business, as well as my wife,
and we never looked back.
Peter: Your story is similar to so many
others that exist in our industry right,
down to either the husband or wife
working outside the business during its
early stage. When I first met you, Possum
Run was nationally known as a supplier of
rooted cuttings of fuchsia with a cultivar
assortment second to none. Tell us more
about the vegetative liner side of the
business.
Justin: Possum Run around that same
time entered the vegetative cutting
business specializing in fuchsia cuttings.
As the years progressed, we expanded
the greenhouse range and added other
vegetative products. We expanded our
fuchsia stock to 240 varieties and named
one 'Cape Horn', a perennial fuchsia.
Our retail also grew with the expansion
of seasonal and year-round collectible
items. Lynn's background, along with her
staff, became the area's go-to center for
unique and beautiful gifts.
This coincided well with the greenhouse
expansion and retail classic appeal.
A waterfall, expansive and carefully
engineered wooden rainbow bridge and
barn renovation, along with the addition
Possum Run Greenhouse in Bellville, Ohio.
of an acre of Dutch glass production
space, contributed to the allure that
Possum Run created for our region.
We were fortunate to provide cuttings
through national and regional brokers
while working with some of the world's
best breeders.
Peter: This was about the time that
I met you through our OFA work. I
remember hearing you speak at Short
Course; your passion for your fuchsia
collection was infectious. Possum Run
grew much larger than this single crop
as you mentioned above. That played
out seemingly at the same time as your
industry service began, correct?
Justin: Yes, it did. Combined with a PBS
TV special, several magazine articles and
working with OSU faculty, Possum Run
Greenhouse became known statewide,
nationally, and internationally. Of special
note, we would not have succeeded
without the dedicated long-term staff
that provided the day-to-day production
commitment and customer service. They
too deserve so much credit.
Their skill, dedication and passion
provided me with the trust and
confidence to become active in OFA,
SAF, Ohio Farm Bureau and OSU often
being away at critical times. Thus, my
involvement with these organizations
began and, over time, I hope I was able
to contribute in a small way to their
agenda and direction. Our industry is
an industry of both art and science,
with the most important component a
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February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2021
