Recent Graduates
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.
Current Position: General Manager of Cox Farms
My experience in the Department of Horticulture at ISU as an undergraduate student was wonderful. Being from Virginia I didn't know anyone in the university, much less in the department. From the first day of classes I felt welcomed and right at home. Not only is the staff very informative and knowledgeable, they also make a great support team. Any problem I had during my four years, I could go to Dr. Gladon, my advisor, and he would help me through it or refer me to someone who could.
Going into college I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do for a career. The department of horticulture not only reinforced my original plans, but also broadened my horizons within the horticulture world. I learned a great deal about the different elements of horticulture and methods I had not previously been exposed to. My experiences at ISU in the Department of Horticulture have greatly prepared me for my future in Horticulture.
After a summer of travel, I returned home to my family's business Cox's Farms in Centreville, Virginia. I have included photos of our huge fall festival season of 2005. Imagine a pumpkin patch mixed with a theme park, in other words, Agri-tainment. Rope swings, mountains, slides (including fairyland, miners motel, and the volcano slides), live music, free apples and cider, animals and a heck of a hay ride make it a great place to bring kids. Thousands of people come everyday including families, school field trips, birthday parties, and anyone looking for a nice fall day in the "country". It is next to impossible to describe and seeing is believing so there are pictures on our web site, www.coxfarms.com.
In the spring we have a greenhouse range of 22 greenhouses and two farm markets, one on the farm in Centreville and one in Vienna, Va, all of which are filled with beautiful bedding plants and combination pots. I will oversee the greenhouses and the production of the plants. In the summer we sell fruits and vegetables as well. During the winter season we retail Christmas trees at both of our markets. All of these seasons are documented through photo on our web site.
I would definitely recommend Iowa State's department of horticulture to anyone looking into the business. The wonderful people, the useful information and the networking possibilities make it an excellent and very useful experience.
Profile from Recent Department of Horticulture Graduate, Amanda Reeder
Current Position: Garden Center Manager at Culver's Garden Center and Greenhouse, Marion, Iowa
Graduated from ISU, Spring Semester 2004
I pretty much grew up knowing I would become a Cyclone. I was raised in a Cyclone household and both my brother and I have attended ISU. I grew up helping my family develop a successful greenhouse business. That is primarily how I chose horticulture as my major. It was a great decision!
I enjoyed all of my horticulture classes, especially my greenhouse management classes my senior year. Dr. Gladon was a wonderful professor and advisor. The faculty in the department are wonderful and really take the time to get to know all of their students. One of the highlights during my four years at Iowa State was the great group of students who make up the department; I met some terrific people and made a few lifelong friends. Having small class sizes makes it easy to meet fellow students and makes classes fun!
I was also very active in Horticulture Club, I was on the cabinet for two years and had a great time, but the best part was growing plants for sales. I was on the VEISHEA committee all four years and was the chair for at least two of those years. It was absolutely the best way to get experience in growing and selling. And was a fun time as well!
After graduating in May of 2004, I got married and we moved to Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids, Iowa did not leave me with an abundance of places to work as a grower which was my objective after graduation. However, I have "found" my place as the Garden Center Manager at Culver's Garden Center and Greenhouse in Marion, Iowa. This was not exactly my plan but it has been wonderful! Culver's is a locally owned business with retail, landscaping and mowing divisions. They are a growing business and things change often, which is something I enjoy. My responsibilities are primarily management related; I hire employees, pay bills, work with our POS system, and handle a wide variety of other issues. I do get to use my degree too; I still help many customers with their plant questions. It is a good blend of horticulture and business which I truly enjoy.
The horticulture department at Iowa State is made up of wonderful people that possess a vast amount of knowledge. If you are considering a career in Horticulture then ISU is a must! I could go on forever about all of my wonderful experiences at Iowa State but I won't, the experiences are different for everyone and mine were great!
