Anik Graves

ThinkPlants

Market representation and trials manager

What 3 to 4 professional and/or personal accomplishments are you most proud of?

• Earned Academic All-Canadian while competing as a dual-varsity athlete in both curling and cross-country skiing. This recognizes varsity athletes who achieve honors standing in academics combined with an elite athletic achievement.
• I completed my biology degree in only 3 years.
• More than doubled ThinkPlants’ outreach in the U.S. and have expanded trials to include Canadian growers as well.
• I feel proud and privileged to be in a position where I can represent some of the best perennial breeders in the world.

What led you to work in the horticulture industry?

• From a young age, I was always planning to be a veterinarian, but sometimes plants choose you. In college, I took all of the plant biology classes as electives and began working at a small greenhouse. 
• Before I knew it, I was looking for jobs as a grower after graduation and landed at Linwell Gardens. A few short years later, I’ve been selected for this award, so I think it’s safe to say I chose the right industry.

What’s the best thing about your job? (Please select one)

• Co-workers

Describe to a 6-year-old what you do in life?

• I get to talk about plants. I tell people about all the best new plants and why they should try them out.

What are your favorite hobbies?

• Gardening
• Sketching
• Knitting/crochet/sewing 
• Rock climbing 
• Journaling

When you’re not working, what are 2 to 3 things we could find you doing?

• Baking 
• Hiking
• Reading
• Curling

What are you (un)secretly good at?

• Calligraphy

What are your top three bucket list items?

• Just traveling. I would love to visit the Canadian East Coast, New Zealand or the Mediterranean. I always plan to visit the botanical gardens wherever I go.

What’s your favorite plant variety and why?

• It changes day to day, but a frequent favourite is English lavender. Perennial, fragrant and edible. What more could you want from a plant?

You’re buying a vacation package to anywhere in the world without a budget, where are you going?

• New Zealand. I would love to do some multi-day hikes to take in the beautiful scenery and see the unique plant and bird species there.

Do you have any unusual talents, or can you tell us something interesting about yourself that other people may be surprised to find out?

• I’m quite a good baker. I love to experiment with new and challenging recipes, and baking for my friends and family. Some current favorites are lemon tiramisu, cheesecake and sourdough breads.

One thing you can’t live without?

• Dessert