The Monarch School and Institute’s Post

🌱 In honor of #WomenInHorticultureWeek, let's meet some of the talented ladies in our landscape management division! ✨ Megan Hipsman✨ is an Area Manager in State College, PA with over 15 years of industry experience. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿? What I love about working in the field of horticulture is the satisfaction of looking at the finished product. The impact of the before and after on projects is so rewarding to me. My advice to young women in the industry is to know your value. We almost have to try harder to be seen, and most of us probably feel the need to prove ourselves. There are so many opportunities if you're willing to nurture, be creative, and work hard. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆? I don't think I can pick a favorite plant or flower. Right now, I have started some dinner plate dahlias at home and I'm so excited to have the cut flowers later in the season! I love plants that have a dual purpose, especially when it comes to cut flowers. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀/𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀/𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆? My favorite piece of horticultural advice pertains to watering. I always say, "only water when the soil is dry." #LandscapingCareers #Horticulture #HorticultureCareers #GreenIndustry

Like to dig in the dirt for a living? Perhaps you should dig into horticulture. Check out this interesting science career on the NC Science Trail Blog in our Spotlight on Science Occupations series.

🌿 Trailblazer Tuesday Spotlight: Emily Birss – Nurturing Growth through Horticultural Therapy 🌿 This #TrailblazerTuesday, we're excited to feature Emily Birss, a Horticultural Therapist Intern whose innovative approach to landscaping is transforming lives. Emily's work beautifully demonstrates how gardening and nurturing plants can foster personal and emotional growth in profound ways. 🌺 Emily’s Insightful Reflections: "Through learning and teaching horticultural therapy, I forge deep connections between nurturing plants and fostering personal growth. This field blends empathy with creativity, utilizing nature's healing power to enhance emotional and physical well-being. It merges my passions for working with people and plants, opening pathways to make meaningful contributions and take pride in the positive impact I create. Working with volunteers, patients, and staff has expanded my adaptability and versatility, proving that the fields of landscaping and horticulture offer endless possibilities and continual avenues for exploration." Emily’s journey is a testament to the therapeutic power of horticulture and its capacity to heal and transform not just gardens, but lives. 🌼 Inspired by Emily’s Journey? Know someone who harnesses the healing power of nature like Emily? Click the link in our bio to nominate them for our next #TrailblazerTuesday feature. Let’s spread the word about the transformative effects of horticultural therapy! #WomenInLandscaping #TrailblazerTuesday #HorticulturalTherapy #HealingThroughNature

great resources exploring The #Role of #Horticulture in #Social and #Land #Equity From the fall of 2020 to spring of 2021, #SOUL #hosted an #online #learning #series on the role of horticulture in #cultivating social and #landequity. The #field of horticulture #directly or #indirectly #influences almost all #urban #greenspaces. This influence can be put to #work in #developing #solutions to a #variety of issues: Over half of the #Indigenouspeople within #Canada live in #urbancommunities and most have little or #noaccess to land and #green #spaces. #Food #insecurity is #rampant within Canada and particularly #affects #racialized communities, the #majority of whom do not have access to land to #grow food for #themselves, or to grow and #sell food #within the community. The #broad #displacement of #nativeplant #species has #widely #recognized #ecological #impacts, especially for #pollinatorpopulations. Their displacement also has #cultural #implications for the #Indigenous #Peoples who have #lived in #relationship with those species for millennia. The #resources #consumed in our #projects are #sourced somewhere. #Learning about their sourcing and #lifecycles can #allow us to influence #landscapes beyond the #boundaries of our project #sites.'.. #seeds #selfdetermination #clean #safe #treaty #partners #inclusive #equitable #access #affordable #socialinnovation #bioregional #placebased #stewardship #intergenerational #intercultural #intersectoral #coop #education #onehealth #wellbeing #gardens #landuse #soil #safe #watershed #AQ #airshed #native #plants #habitat #naturefirst #landscape https://lnkd.in/g4pFT4zJ

🍃 "Turning Over a New Leaf in Horticulture Education" 🍃 Have you ever considered how the theoretical knowledge gained in classrooms intertwines with practical experience in the field of horticulture? Throughout my journey in Horticulture, I've encountered this fusion firsthand. What sets floriculture apart is not just the beauty of flowers, but how they reflect the latest trends in sustainable farming, urban landscaping, and ecological conservation. Here's what I've learned: Theory vs. Practice: While theory gives us the foundational knowledge, applying these concepts in real-world scenarios like landscape design or flower cultivation breathes life into our learning. Innovation in Action: Whether it’s the use of technology in greenhouse management or exploring eco-friendly pest control methods, the field is ripe with innovation. The question remains, how can educational institutions bridge the gap more effectively between theory and practice for budding horticulturists? I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences on this! #Horticulture #Education #SustainableFarming #Innovation

Third on the countdown for our key asks for environmental horticulture is International Trade Cooperation 🚛 UK environmental horticulture is dependent on its decades-long global trading relationships to deliver the diversity and variety we have in the UK gardens and green spaces 🌱 https://lnkd.in/eYQUpPz2 #EnvironmentalHorticulture

Help us choose our next native plant heroes! You don't need to be a Native Plant Trust member to submit your nominations. See our award criteria and nomination links for three different categories: 1. Founders' Medal: For exceptional leadership and achievement in the conservation and promotion of healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. The Founders' Medal honors achievement in conservation, horticulture, or education whose impact rises to national or international importance. The recipient may be based anywhere in the world. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/epvnn4w6... 2. Regional Impact Award: For exceptional leadership and achievement in native plant conservation, horticulture, or education in New England. The Regional Impact Award recognizes one or more individuals or organizations for exceptional leadership and achievement in native plant conservation, horticulture, or education with regional significance. Although the individual or organization could be based elsewhere, the work must be executed in New England or have its primary focus on the native plants of New England. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/eMKqfCGS 3. Volunteer Service Award: For outstanding service to Native Plant Trust. The Volunteer Service Award recognizes leadership, consistent dedication, and effectiveness in furthering the mission and activities of Native Plant Trust. The ideal candidate will have brought tangible value to the organization over many years and served as a model and inspiration for others. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/eKcmhUm2

In The Lab's most recent conversation, "Horticulture, Diversity, and Urban Scapes," horticulturist and green space designer Rebecca McMackin discussed her work and the importance of diversity to healthy plant ecology and its impact on urban life. Below is an excerpt of one insight that Rebecca shared on urban landscapes, gardens, and their ability to stimulate social change. To view the recording of the conversation in full, please click here. https://lnkd.in/e32J7tyX "I feel so fortunate to be able to share that experience with people, to encourage people to recognize their role in creating a healthy environment for others, not only for themselves, but for others. It's a beautiful thing for people to realize that they have that capacity. I think we're all steeped in this narrative of humanity being bad and that humans are a cancer or whatever, and that's really disheartening. The reality is that there are bad systems and bad portions of society, but that people--we ourselves, humanity--have the capacity to be very good and we can build new systems, and we can create and cultivate new relationships with the world around us in ways that help each other thrive and then all of these other organisms to thrive as well." Thank you, Rebecca. #horticulture #urbanlandscapes #greenspaces #sustainabilityagenda

🌱 Exciting Update! Our "Seed Bed" is Taking Root with Payne Tedford! 🌱 We're thrilled to share an update on our latest project: the "Seed Bed"! In a recent video, you may have seen Payne Tedford, one of our newest team members, diligently tilling the soil and preparing this innovative heated bed for action. But what exactly is the "Seed Bed," and why are we so excited about it? This revolutionary setup isn't just your average planting space; it's a versatile tool with endless possibilities. 🌱 Expanded Applications: The "Seed Bed" isn't limited to traditional planting. With its unique heating system, it opens doors to experimentation and exploration. From starting seeds early to nurturing delicate seedlings, this bed allows us to push the boundaries of what's possible in our growing space. 📚 Educational Opportunities: We're passionate about providing hands-on learning experiences, and the "Seed Bed" is a perfect example. Through workshops, classes, and demonstrations led by our team, we'll dive deep into the science behind seed starting, soil health, and plant growth. It's a fantastic opportunity for both beginners and seasoned gardeners to expand their knowledge. 🤝 Volunteer Engagement: Want to get your hands dirty and make a difference alongside Payne? Our "Seed Bed" will serve as a hub for community involvement. Whether you're interested in lending a hand with planting, tending, or harvesting, there's a place for everyone to contribute and learn. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to nurture our "Seed Bed" watch our ideas take root! Together, we're cultivating a brighter, greener future for our community. 🌱💚 #SeedBed #CommunityGardening #GrowingTogether

Do you work in horticulture? Then please spare 10-15 minutes today to complete Perennial - Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society new Wellbeing Survey and help them understand more about the daily lives of all those working in the industry, both inside and outside of work, and the pressures you may be facing.   It’s anonymous and your feedback really will make a difference - not only to help Perennial develop their services but to inform others within the horticultural community about the key issues and challenges being faced. So, if you work in the industry, please help by completing the survey today – or if you know of someone who does, then please share it with them too! Survey: perennial.org.uk/survey #PerennialHelps