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On this episode of The Plant Movement Podcast, host Willie Rodriguez sits down with South Florida native and tech-turned-operator Israel Perez-Siam to dive into the evolving world of sustainable aquatic solutions, service businesses, and the future of technology in horticulture.

Israel brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare tech and private equity-backed software—but made the leap into hands-on lake management and consulting. Together, they unpack what it really looks like to transition from AI and software into boots-on-the-ground work, and why execution, relationships, and real-world problem solving still matter more than ever.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How mechanical lake and pond management is restoring ecosystems and reducing chemical dependency
• The hidden impact of fertilizer runoff, debris, and algae blooms on South Florida waterways
• Why service-based businesses can outperform software models—and how to scale them
• The role of AI in horticulture and field service, and where it’s helping (and hurting) the industry
• How Pond Guru is innovating with subscription-based aeration systems and sustainable practices
• The importance of education, community relationships, and hands-on experience in building a lasting business

From tackling invasive overgrowth and restoring wildlife habitats to optimizing operations with field service tech, this episode blends environmental awareness with real business strategy.

⚡ Israel also shares his perspective on:

• The future workforce and why trades are making a comeback
• The dangers of over-relying on AI and social media
• Why the “handshake still matters” in a digital world

If you’re in the plant, landscaping, or water management industry—or just care about sustainability and smart business—this episode is packed with insight you don’t want to miss.

Want to be featured on the podcast?
Reach out at eddie@theplantmovementnetwork.com or DM @theplantmovementpodcast

Need plants, logistics, or nursery support in Florida?
We’ve got you covered—tap in with our network partners.

Pond Guru
Email: israel@pondguru.com
IG: www.instagram.com/pondgurumiami
web: https://pondguru.com/


The Plant Movement Podcast
Email: eddie@theplantmovementnetwork.com & willie@theplantmovementnetwork.com
Call: (305) 216-5320
Web: https://www.theplantmovement.com
Follow Us: IG: https://www.instagram.com/theplantmovementpodcast


A's Ornamental Nursery
WE GROW | WE SOURCE | WE DELIVER
Call: (305) 216-5320 www.asornamental.com

The Nursery Growers
Call: 786-522-4942

Plant Logistics Co.
(Delivering Landscape Plant Material Throughout the State of Florida)
Call: (305) 912-3098

Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast/youtube video are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, accounting, or legal advice. I can’t promise that the information shared on my posts is appropriate for you or anyone else. By listening to this podcast/youtube video, you agree to hold me harmless from any ramifications, financial or otherwise, that occur to you as a result of acting on information found in this podcast/youtube video.

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What happens when the hustle of Miami meets the mountains of Puerto Rico? In this episode, we sit down with Tito, a Miami-based entrepreneur who just came off working one of the biggest EDM events in the world, Ultra Music Festival, managing a team of 45 hawkers and eight beverage stations serving tens of thousands of people across three days. But behind the grind is a bigger vision: helping his family plant roots, literally, in the coffee mountains of Puerto Rico.

Tito opens up about his parents dream to leave Florida behind and start a coffee farm in the highlands of Puerto Rico, and how that dream sparked something in him too. We talk about the 5-acre property his family acquired near one of Puerto Rico's most recognized coffee producers, the forest that still needs clearing, the two water sources on the land, and the long road ahead to turn raw terrain into something that creates a real family legacy.

This conversation goes deep on what it actually takes to build in agriculture — the patience, the passion, the risk management, the hurricanes, and the reality that farming is a 5 to 20-year play, not a get-rich-quick scheme. We also explore the bigger vision for the property: think coffee production, hospitality, Airbnb-style accommodations, and a complementary venture to the local restaurant scene — not competing with it, but adding to it.

Tito also reflects on his background in landscaping, what COVID taught him about plants and irrigation, and how simply taking action on the right information can open doors that passive consumption never will.

If you're someone building something from the ground up, chasing a purpose, or thinking about what it means to create something that lasts, this episode is for you.

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En este poderoso y revelador episodio, el anfitrión Willie Rodriguez conversa con el Dr. Robert Cubria de Tecnafert para abordar una de las crisis más urgentes—y menos discutidas—de la agricultura moderna: la degradación del suelo y las consecuencias ocultas del uso convencional de fertilizantes.

Con más de 17 años de investigación provenientes de un innovador proyecto universitario en España, el Dr. Cubria explica cómo el uso excesivo de fertilizantes químicos desde principios del siglo XX ha provocado suelos empobrecidos, contaminación de fuentes de agua e incluso posibles vínculos con problemas de salud humana como enfermedades renales. Pero esta conversación no se queda en el problema—se enfoca en soluciones reales.

El Dr. Cubria profundiza en la ciencia de la nutrición vegetal, revelando por qué los fertilizantes tradicionales son ineficientes (con menos del 7% de absorción en muchos casos) y cómo la tecnología revolucionaria de Tecnafert está cambiando las reglas del juego. Mediante la ingeniería de moléculas a escala nanométrica y el uso de enlaces avanzados, su equipo ha logrado más del 95% de bioasimilación y una metabolización completa—utilizando hasta un 90% menos producto.

En este episodio descubrirás:

• La verdadera razón por la cual los fertilizantes fallan en distintos suelos y climas
• Cómo el tamaño molecular y la biología de la planta (como los plasmodesmos) limitan la absorción de nutrientes
• La evolución de fertilizantes químicos a compuestos quelatados—y más allá
• Una molécula “inteligente” que responde a señales de la planta para liberar nutrientes en el momento adecuado
• Por qué el sistema agrícola actual prioriza las ventas sobre las soluciones
• El papel de la inteligencia artificial y la agricultura de precisión en el futuro
• Los desafíos del suelo en el sur de Florida y recomendaciones prácticas para productores en zonas como Homestead
• Cómo alianzas en Estados Unidos están trabajando para regenerar suelos y apoyar a los productores con datos en tiempo real
• La importancia de la educación, el cambio generacional y el acceso a mejores herramientas

El Dr. Cubria también cuestiona las ideas tradicionales sobre la agricultura “orgánica”, proponiendo en su lugar un modelo de agricultura saludable, eficiente y escalable que garantice tanto la rentabilidad como la seguridad alimentaria global—especialmente ante una población que alcanzará los 10 mil millones de personas para el año 2050.

Conclusión clave: Es momento de replantear cómo nutrimos a las plantas y enfocarnos en la precisión, la eficiencia y la sostenibilidad a largo plazo.

¿Tienes un reto en tu operación? Contáctanos—este episodio es solo el comienzo de una conversación mucho más grande.

Escúchalo ahora y sé parte del movimiento.

Contacto:

bio@tecnafert.com

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