Profile from Department of Horticulture Graduate, Kevin Hurd
Current Position: Research Horticulturist for Walters Gardens Inc.

My college experience differs from most of the Horticulture students because I originally was an Animal Science major. During my sophomore year I needed an elective class and Bryden Jones, a Horticulture major on my dorm floor suggested that I try a Horticulture class. I took his advice and registered for Horticulture 121 with Dr. Cindy Haynes. I was so impressed with Dr. Haynes' passion for the subject that I was hooked. I went to talk to Barb Osborn about the possibility of switching my major and when I came back she remembered my name after only talking to me for a couple minutes. I knew that I had made the right choice and never looked back.

Even though I had switched my major I still wasn't sure what I could or wanted to do with my degree. As I took classes, professors like Dr. Gladon, Dr. Stephens, and Dr. Haynes guided me through the program. All three professors have helped mold me and I still keep in contact with all of them. They've not only helped me professionally, but also personally.

During my senior year I decided to take an internship in The Netherlands where I found my passion for plant breeding and new plant finding. I lived in Boskoop, a city that consists of over 900 nurseries of various types. Being submerged in the highest concentration of Horticulture in the world it was hard not to fall in love with it. I've returned to Holland at least once a year since I've left to have a Heineken and to meet with a few of my colleagues.

When I graduated from Iowa State in 2004, I moved to western Michigan and took a position with Walters Gardens Inc., a wholesale grower of cold-hardy herbaceous perennials located in Zeeland, MI as a research horticulturist. Walters Gardens includes approximately 2,200 acres of land and 500,000 square feet of greenhouses. My responsibilities include breeding and developing new cultivars of perennials, heading up our virus elimination program, acting as a liaison to outside breeders, and traveling the world looking for the newest cultivars.

My whole career was possible because of the guidance of the entire department and I will always be indebted to everyone there. I highly recommend Iowa State's Horticulture department to anyone who is considering majoring in Horticulture.

Past Profiles