Hard work is what the HORT 252 Construction class is all about. Bro. John starts by envisioning a new creation in the Thomas E. Ricks Gardens. Next he puts his design on paper and brings it to the class to get them excited. Three months isn’t typically enough time to do a project, so each project is split in between two semesters. The first class starts a project and the second class will finish it. This class provides practical knowledge for designing and building landscapes, and brings a beautiful addition to the campus and gardens. Each student learns the basics of common equipment used in the industry, while also learning different materials and how to create with them. Students keep a journal were they keep pictures of everything they do along with product names description and even pricing. This project is a great start to their portfolio as Design/Build/Maintain students.

The fishbowl is located downstairs across from the Flower center, it is Benson rm 144. The Fish bowl contains a study area, posters about trips and internships taken by students, and subscriptions to various Horticultural magazines. The Internship map on the wall has now been updated showing the past internships over the last 4 years. Also the fish bowl contains a 4 year plan that include all required classes and when you should take them for all horticulture majors. All the hard work updating and revamping can be owed to Ashley wheeler a student studying Design/Build maintain. She has spent most of her free time working on signs and putting lists together. Ashley also has a link to the campus internship and career services that allows you to see all past internships and job opportunities. Here is a link for that page. When you have some free time go check the Fish bowl out and see all the many things it has to offer.

One of the best and easiest ways to find a job after graduation is to network now. Even if that Company isn't working in the area you want, they may have friends that are. It's not always what you know but who you know. Seminar is a great way not only to network with people in the horticulture industry, but also find out all the who, what, when, where, and how's of their trade. Just recently we heard from Holly Mcmann owner of Flowers on Main, and Mark from Davey Tree Expert who climbed his way to the top to a great position. Who knows, you could be these people in 10 years returning to tell all about your adventures in life.

“Going to Huntsman Springs [Golf Course] was eye opening. They had a motto of personability and were organized and aware of the needs of workers. I was impressed by the way that business was run. Neither of the managers were afraid of hard work, denoted from their past and present career,” said Ashley Wheeler, a junior studying Design/Build/Maintain. The students who attended the trip were in HORT 410 and HORT 319. The Huntsman golf course is very environmentally conscious. They have formed a wildlife reserve where they even release animals into it each year. That in mind they make sure to be very careful with any chemicals they use on the course. They have a specific shed just for their chemicals with a hi-tech waste disposal system inside. The Huntsman golf course was designed after the hills of Ireland with a dirt path that meanders through the course along with a small stream. The fairways have a beautiful naturalistic feel that carries through the whole course, and was even rated the number 1 private golf course after only operating for 2 years. The Huntsman golf course was funded by the founder of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and all of the profits go towards cancer research.

Sister Infanger is looking for floral and non-floral students to go to Pasadena to work on floats and process flowers in January (date may change.) This is a chance to help configure a large scale design, use materials in a new and different way, and express yourself creatively. It is also a great community service and can be a great networking pathway. In the past, students have benefited greatly from this trip, able to build their portfolios and résumés. If you would like to attend or want more information please contact Sister Infanger A.S.A.P.

If you would like to participate in the ‘What Women Want’ floral fashion show there is a signup sheet in front of Sister Infanger’s office. The conference is Oct. 15th-16th in Idaho Falls, ID and participants will also be able to attend the show.

Sister Infanger recently received her American Institute of Floral Design certification. She said “It has always been a goal of mine, and it’s been a lot of work to get there.” A Bachelor’s degree is unique in Floral Design, but an AIFD certification is like the Ph.D. of Floral Design. She said, “In Brother Romney’s words, it’s more than Aunt Mabelle with the garage flowers.” She hopes that her certification will provide great networking for students. She also stated that she would like to begin a student chapter which would be a pathway for education. AIFD is all about education and they are always on the cutting edge of design. To prepare herself, Sister Infanger studied all the terms from the AIFD book, which is the same book we use in our floral classes. Then she practiced, practiced, and practiced some more and took a written test from the AIFD which requires an 80% to pass, then studied for an oral exam. She knew which categories she would be tested on so she practiced and then had a friend in the floral industry critique her work and encourage her progress. Sister Infanger offers this advice to anyone wanting to become certified, “Know your terms, take every opportunity to practice. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Know your products, accessories, and design elements and use them outside the normal box.” We congratulate Sister Infanger in this wonderful achievement! click here to go to the AIFD website to learn more.

September 21st was the Plant Culture class’ Sawtelle trip. Students rode in a caravan of vans, making various stops along the way. The first stop was at the St. Anthony sand dunes, where the students discovered Dune Grass. They learned how and why it grows in the sand. This was their only freebie for the trip, for the rest of the stops Brother Dewey would not be handing out answers; he phrased all of his sentences very carefully. After a few more stops of looking at sagebrush and cattails, they finally stopped off near a wooden bridge. The bridge was built over a part of the Warm River that housed fish bigger than your own arm. They stay there because tourists feed them bread, and it’s illegal to fish there. The students all tossed out bread and some even hopped to the furthest rock out in the water and let the fish eat out of their hands. The question for that stop was why are there no trees on the hillside on the other side of the river, but behind them there’s a whole forest of trees? Eventually they got up to Mesa Falls and took in the sights. Soon they were on their way to their last stop. Driving up the mountain’s switchbacks was filled with anticipation to reach the top. Once up there you could see everything. After taking photos, the class discussed the yarrow that was growing there and why it grew so close to the ground. Finally after a fun trip the whole class made it back to the school. for more pictures click here.

The Horticulture Department gathered to the smells of steak, elk, venison, and corn on the cob. Everyone following their noses wound up at the picnic area of the Thomas E. Ricks Gardens. As the line for food dissipated, the seats filled up. Looking around all you could see was smiling faces and the sounds of laughter filled the air. As the people were finishing their delicious dinner, Brother Dewey made the announcement that they would be pinning the graduating students and that special awards would be presented. All the graduates gathered together and were each presented with a pin while Brother John recited why the Horticulture pin is an oak leaf and an acorn. He explained that a past president had a vision of the students here at the campus that one by one they, like acorns, would fall from the campus tree and disperse their knowledge and bless all those around them. Afterwards, one member of the faculty from each emphasis announced their respective awards to several students. The award for Production was given to Jace Johnson, Design/Build/Maintain was given to Carolyn Bingham, and the Floral Design award was given to Kaylee Ruelas. As soon as the cheering and congratulating died down, Brother Dewey announced that brownies and ice cream were ready to be served for dessert. The opening social was altogether wonderful and was definitely something not to be missed.