Dr. Brian Krug
UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist

Dr. Brian Krug has recently joined the Cooperative Extension as the Greenhouse/Floriculture Specialist.  As the Greenhouse/Floriculture specialist, Dr. Krug will provide support in the areas of greenhouse management and floriculture crop production to the county educators and directly to growers.

email: b.krug@nhpga.org
Website: www.extension.unh.edu

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• How long have you been a member of  NHPGA and why did you become a member?
• What is the most underutilized native tree, shrub, perennial, or annual?
• What is your favorite plant?
• What keeps you up at night?
• What is your favorite horticultural book or article?
• Where do you see the NH horticultural industry in 10 years?
• In your opinion, what is the number one key to succeed in the NH horticulture industry?
• What are some of your ideas that will make NHPGA more attractive to members?

How long have you been a member of NHPGA and why did you become a member?     
Since January of 2008.  I became a member to support the industry in the state and to stay involved and informed. I've lived in states where the grower association was strong and also where the grower association wasn't very active at all. From the extension vantage point, having an active grower association makes you job more enjoyable and easier to stay connected with the industry.
What is the most underutilized  native tree, shrub, perennial or annual?
I like a hickory tree, but I mostly work with greenhouse plants and bedding plants everyday which few are native so my favorite non-native would be Dichondra – Silver Falls or Emerald Falls, I love them both, but I don’t think either get used enough in combos and hanging baskets.  I first saw them when I worked in Holland four years ago.  They were growing in hanging baskets all by themselves and the result was a beautiful thick mat of delicate looking leaves.  I’ve had several in my landscape ever since.
What is your favorite plant?  Why?
Cyclamen – My mom had a few in our home growing up.  Later in life after college I got the opportunity to grow thousands of them at time.  They proved to be a challenging but such a rewarding plant to grow.  Even after spending lots of time with them in the greenhouse I still enjoy having one at home.
What is a little known fact  about you or your company / What makes your company unique?
I think a little known fact about the Extension Service is simply that it exists.  Now of course the vast majority of growers and farmers know about Extension and make good use of it.  However, the average citizen in America has less and less to do with agriculture everyday and are not aware of what Extension has to offer them.  The Extension Service has something to offer everyone no matter where you live or work. What keeps you up at night?

My 8 month old son Henry, but actually not so much anymore.
What is your favorite horticulture book or article?

Floriculture Principles and Species by John Dole and Harold Wilkins.  I've used it as a great resource for years and have been lucky enough to have my path cross with both authors throughout my career, truly an honor.
Where would you like to see the NH Horticultural Industry in the next 10 years?    

I hope to see the horticulture industry really get behind the sustainable movement and use it to their benefit.  Many growers are already sustainable, but I think every grower has room for improvement.  Being sustainable is such a multi-faceted concept, if done correctly it can be used to really reduce your input costs as well as the impact to the environment around you.  The decrease in input costs coupled with the trend of consumers being more interested in how the products they purchased are produced can only spell out success for the grower.
In your opinion, what is the number one key to success in the horticultural industry and why?

I think passion is the number one thing you need to succeed.  I don’t know anyone who has gotten into this industry because of the promise of a lucrative career.  To have the ability to grow plants successfully day in and day out you have a passion for it in your blood. Friends of mine who claim they don’t have a green thumb really lack the passion to grow plants, fail, and to try again.