FROM THE EDITOR Exceptional EDITORIAL Heather Machovina | Managing Editor 616.520.2171 * hmachovina@greatamericanpublish.com Madi Schafer | Custom Marketing Specialist 616.520.2141 * mschafer@greatamericanpublish.com Debbie Eisele | Editorial Director 616.520.2161 * deisele@greatamericanpublish.com ADVERTISING SALES Kim Sammartino | National Sales Manager 616.520.2173 * ksammartino@greatamericanpublish.com Andrea Schafer | Advertising Sales 616.520.2139 * aschafer@greatamericanpublish.com Kim Meyers | Classified Advertising Manager 616.520.2137 * kmeyers@greatamericanpublish.com CIRCULATION Becky Stovall | Audience Development 616.520.2138 * bstovall@greatamericanpublish.com PRODUCTION Jolan Godfrey | CSenior Client Success Representative 616.520.2148 * jgodfrey@greatamericanpublish.com Alexa Armstrong | Graphic Designer 616.520.2174 * aarmstrong@greatamericanpublish.com Amanda Mackey | Associate Creative Director 616.520.2157 * amackey@greatamericanpublish.com Allison McKenzie | Creative Director 616.520.2142 * amckenzie@greatamericanpublish.com CORPORATE Corporate Office | 616.887.9008 Deb Carnes | CFO & Director of Human Resources 616.520.2169 * dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com Kim Baker | COO & Chief Marketing Officer kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com Matt McCallum | Publisher & CEO mmccallum@greatamericanpublish.com The GPN team is full of excitement, as 2023 has been an incredible year for celebrating everything new - and exceptional! We know that behind-the-scenes there is so much that happens when it comes to creating new or improved varieties. Time, trials, expertise and patience are all part of the equation when it comes to breeding innovations. Throughout the year our team has attended numerous events, diligently perused new options and engaged in thoughtful dialogue with breeders - all to create the 2024 New Varieties Digital Guide. The National Gardening Association released the 2023 National Gardening Survey results in April. According to the report, inflation played a part in survey participants that planned to increase or decrease gardening and lawn tasks. Additionally, the report noted that individuals are seeking reduced prices when purchasing plants, considering drought-tolerant varieties in order to conserve water usage and are even utilizing seeds to grow plants instead. This year's New Varieties Digital Guide highlights trends spotted at Cast (page 8). We also take a look at edible plant offerings with a look at new vegetable varieties. We hope the information compiled in these pages helps growers, retailers and consumers find the best options available. Enjoy! BE SURE TO CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL! Debbie Eisele Editorial Director 616.520.2160 deisele@greatamericanpublish.com GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 5