Hope all of you have had a great Christmas break and will have a great New Year!  We are excited for the new sememster when all of our students will be at school.  We are excited for the trips, classes, socials and more graduating students!  Remember to check back here often for the most updated information about the Horticulture department.

Bro. Nelson wanted to recognize three of the best front yard landscape models of the Fall 2009 semester.  These models below were created in conjunction with a plan view front yard design and were created in HORT 230, Introduction to Landscape Design.  The three students showcased are Marcanna Gohr, Nate Jardine, and Ryan Searle.  Congrats guys!

The HORT 334 (Greenhouse Operations) class conducted a research project on aquaponics and then they created their own aquaponics system.  Aquaponics is defined as “the symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment” [by Portable Farms http://www.portablefarms.com/howto_start.htm].  Below you can see the plants and the group involved.  All they need to do now is add fish to the habitat beneath the roots in the water.  Looks great guys!

The Christmas season is in full swing at the Flower Center. This year we hosted the annual BYU-Idaho wreath making class in Benson 147.  After students, faculty and community members made their wreaths out of real pine boughs, the Flower Center girls got creative.  They took the extra scraps from the class and made snowflakes using wire and pan glue.  They turned out beautifully and would be easy to make at home. Here are some pictures of those girls and the final products.

The Horticulture Department competed against the Ag Department in a friendly competition last Thursday.  It was located in Benson 219. Students had researched and prepared videos and presentations for their Plant Science classes in both the Hort and Ag departments. The best of the best were asked to participate in the competition. 

The topics presented ranged all over the green industries including:
AG - Are Bananas going Extinct? (3rd Place)
AG - Sugar Cane vs. Sugar Beets (2nd Place)
HORT - Sick Building Syndrome (1st Place)
HORT - Floral Scent Loss
AG - How to Improve Floral Scent

It was a fun night to learn more about the plants we have studied. The pizza was provided by Domino’s and the fun was provided by us! Thanks and great job guys!

 

Christmas Tree Lane is up and running in the MC right next to the Crossroads. Our department received first place this year on our tree!! Great job guys!  The theme each tree is following this year is "Christmas in Who-burg." Those trees will be up until the 14th of this month. You can also see trees the Interiorscaping class has decorated around the Benson and also in the Kimball and Hinckley buildings. Each of them has a winter/Christmas theme to follow. Here are a few pictures of the trees around campus.

The Nursery class and any other Horticulture students interested are going to the Idaho Horticulture Show in Boise, ID in January.  The theme for this year's expo is "The Best Little Show in the West."  There will be great seminars and amazing opportunities to network on this trip. It will only be $100 which will include transportation, hotel, food and the entrance fee. Contact Bro. Toll if you are interested in attending.
Dates: January 20th - 22nd
Website: http://inlagrow.org/expo_2010.htm

"The Certified Landscape Technician program is a national certification program through the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) with INLA as the administrator. The Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association, Idaho Irrigation & Equipment Association and College of Western Idaho are partners in bringing the exam to Idaho. INLA, IIEA and BSU are committed to enhancing the level of professionalism in the Green Industry...The CLT program is designed to elevate the professional standards, enhance individual performance and designate those who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the responsibilities of the job." (Taken from the Nov. - Dec. issue of The Taproot, a publication of the INLA)

Two of our alumni received their CLT certification in September of this year: Chris Goodwin, a 2008 graduate from our program and Justin Bell, a 2003 graduate. We would like to recognize and congratulate these wonderful alumni in furthering their education.