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About Mark and Ben

About Mark and Ben

Marks_bio

MARK CULLEN, C.M. 

Mark Cullen has been broadcasting and writing about the gardening experience since the early 80’s.  He has written 23 books, including two biographies.  Escape to Reality is Mark’s 24th book (his son Ben’s first).  He says, “This is the most exciting book that I have ever written as it reflects the experience and passion for Canada’s most popular outdoor leisure time activity of two generations, mine and son Ben’s”

Mark began his professional retail career with his father Len Cullen in 1979.  Together they created Cullen Country Barns in Markham Ontario, for which they won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the federal government in 1988.

Their company, Weall and Cullen Nurseries Ltd. was listed in the 1989 50 Best Companies to Work for in Canada by the Financial Post.

Mark sold the business to his nearest competitor Sheridan Nurseries in 2003.

In 2004 Mark became the national spokesperson for Home Hardware Lawn and Garden and launched the proprietary brand Mark’s Choice exclusively with Home Hardware the same year.

In 2020 Mark concluded his contract with Home Hardware and retains the rights to the Mark’s Choice brand and trademark.

Mark and son Ben produce a bi-weekly podcast The Green File, write weekly for The Toronto Star and syndicate to 31 other newspapers across Canada, the publish a monthly newsletter which is distributed to 22,000 Canadians.  Ben loves food gardening; Mark is passionate about pollinator corridors and trees. Together they create a fun, engaging and well rounded message for all Canadian gardeners.

Ben and Mark are frequently sought-after public speakers.

 

In 2016 Mark was awarded the Order of Canada for “his connections with everyday Canadians through his gardening and environmental messages.”

He is the Volunteer Chair of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign and Canadian Trees For Life  www.treesforlife.ca

Mark is the honorary patron of SHARE Agricultural Foundation (A Hand Up not a Hand Out) providing resources to subsistence farmers in Central and South America. www.shareagfoundation.org

Mark is the national spokesperson for the Composting Council of Canada and board member emeritus of Canada Blooms.

www.markcullen.com

10,000 gardening questions answered.

 

BEN CULLEN

Officially, Ben Cullen joined Mark full time in January, 2017.  Unofficially, Ben has worked with Mark his entire life.

Ben’s interest in growing really began while working maintenance at the local golf course through high school, before heading off to the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus where he completed a Diploma in Agriculture.

After working in agricultural research, Ben headed east where a Bachelor’s of Commerce from Dalhousie University in Halifax eventually led him into the food industry.

Three years into the food business, Ben took a break to pursue a dream of travelling overland from London, UK to Shanghai, China.

Now that Ben is back home, he looks forward to channeling his passion for food, travel and growing back into Mark’s original mission – connecting and inspiring people with things that grow.

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Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

MarkCullen4
2 Mar

Was a pleasure visiting with our #tree loving friends @TonyDiGiovanni1 and @MarkCullen4 today @vinelandrsrch!

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19 Feb

Increase biodiversity in your yard with these tips from Mark and Ben Cullen. @MarkCullen4

http://ow.ly/u2sE50MVwTA

Reply on Twitter 1627294471200116736 Retweet on Twitter 1627294471200116736 1 Like on Twitter 1627294471200116736 4 Twitter 1627294471200116736
10 Feb

Excited to meet with Mark Cullen and Tony DiGiovanni today to learn more about the Trees for Life Program and how Less Mess can help!

Reply on Twitter 1624161096243240976 Retweet on Twitter 1624161096243240976 4 Like on Twitter 1624161096243240976 6 Twitter 1624161096243240976
12 Jan

This was a great way to start the new year. Congratulations, Landscape Ontario, on this milestone! Thanks to all who made it happen. We’re looking forward to the next one.

#TreesForLife #Congress #LOCongress #ClimateAction #GoGreen #HOHTC

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About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
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