A GROWING PASSION: Pandemic Pivot

Stream now with KPBS+ / Watch Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. on KPBS TV

Join A GROWING PASSION host and garden expert, Nan Sterman, as she explores farms, vineyards, gardens, native habitats and more throughout California and the West.

The impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic extend far beyond hospitals and health care workers. In San Diego, farms faced an uncertain future when the quarantine was first enacted in March 2020. With the closing of restaurants, hotels, and farmer's markets, the normal demand for produce and farm products plummeted, while the demand for nursery products skyrocketed. On this episode, we revisit growers featured in past episodes of A GROWING PASSION, and meet some new ones, all of whom have dramatically shifted their business models to survive, and perhaps thrive, during the pandemic.

1 of 6

Wine tasting with Vesper Vineyards founders Chris Broomell (left) and Alysha Stehly (right).

Courtesy of AGP PRODUCTIONS, LLC

2 of 6

Brijette Peña, owner of San Diego Seed Company, works with a seed packing machine.

Courtesy of AGP PRODUCTIONS, LLC

3 of 6

Families enjoy the U-Pick strawberry field at Carlsbad Strawberry Company, Carlsbad, Calif.

Courtesy of AGP PRODUCTIONS, LLC

4 of 6

Bagged startup gardening kits, called Grab and Grow Gardens

Courtesy of AGP PRODUCTIONS, LLC

5 of 6

Host Nan Sterman (right) and J Ukegawa in field at Carlsbad Strawberry Company, Calif.

Courtesy of AGP PRODUCTIONS, LLC

6 of 6

Host Nan Sterman (right) and J Ukegawa in field at Carlsbad Strawberry Company. On this episode, Nan revisits growers featured in past episodes, and meet some new ones, all of whom have dramatically shifted their business models to survive, and perhaps thrive, during the pandemic.

Courtesy of AGP PRODUCTIONS, LLC

Related: Nan on KPBS Midday Edition: Gardening Community Responds To Growing COVID-19 Food Need

Watch On Your Schedule: Episodes of A GROWING PASSION are available to stream with KPBS+ is a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.

You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience).

Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.