# Ep. 254 How We Became Horticulturists: Real Stories & Career Paths in Plant Science | #GoodGrowing

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021/ep-254-how-we-became-horticulturists-real-stories-career-paths-in-plant-science-goodgrowing
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021/ep-254-how-we-became-horticulturists-real-stories-career-paths-in-plant-science-goodgrowing.md
Podcast: [Good Growing](https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021)
Published: 2026-05-29T14:32:09+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4a8fa566
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/4a8fa566/a1122ada.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/good-growing-421021/episodes/ep-254-how-we-became-horticulturists-real-stories-career-paths-in-plant-science-goodgrowing
Duration seconds: 3995

## Resource

How do you actually become a horticulturist? Is it a straight path—or a winding trail full of unexpected turns? In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris, Ken, and Emily dig into their own origin stories—sharing how childhood curiosity, career detours, and a little bit of luck led them into the world of horticulture. From digging holes and growing strawberries to working at Disney greenhouses, studying landscape architecture, and navigating the Great Recession job market, their journeys prove there’s no single path into this field. Enjoy our “how it all began” stories! Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Vqz4wZSE6hU Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

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## Transcript

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