The Grower Talks Podcast

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About the Show

The Grower Talks podcast focuses on the transition by specialty crop & horticulture growers from chemical pesticide use to alternative biological and lighter chemistry inputs.

As regulators around the world remove chemical pesticides from the growers toolbox, The Grower Talks Podcast talks to a range of key stakeholders to understand both the current & future landscape that supports this transition.

Meet our Hosts

Peter Wren-Hilton

Peter is the founder & CEO of New Zealand-based agrifoodtech consultancy, Wharf42. Wharf42 founded Agritech NZ in 2018 and co-founded the Australia New Zealand Agritech Council in 2019. In 2023, Wharf42 co-hosted the inaugural 2023 Salinas Biological Summit with Western Growers. In June 2027, Wharf42 will host the 5th Edition of the Summit in Salinas. Today, Peter speaks at international conferences focusing in supporting farmers and growers' transition away from chemical pesticide use to biological and lighter chemistry inputs.

Dennis Donohue

As Director, the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, Dennis co-hosted the first Series of The Grower Talks with Peter Wren-Hilton. In January 2026, Dennis retired from Western Growers to focus on his full-time role as Mayor of Salinas