Horticulture Hosts students from 4-H Annual Conference
July 8, 2025The last week of June was a busy one for the Department of Horticulture as the department hosted several 4H students who were on ISU campus for their 4H annual conference. The department engaged students through various hands-on workshops:
1. Make Your Own Sack Garden and Learn How to Grow Food Right Outside Your Back Door!
In this hands-on workshop, students built their very own vegetable sack garden to take home. They also learned about sustainable food production in small spaces, like how people use kitchen gardens in Africa or how people grow food in spaces when land isn’t available to them at all, like on patios in cities in Peru. These innovations are used to grow food worldwide and positively impact food security, health, and the environment.
2. Summer Blooms for any Room
Students learned how to make a small hand-tied flower bouquet perfect for gifting, special events, or spreading cheer. Mixed blooms, lots of fun, and a learned skill set, that is what students took with them with to cherish for years to come.
3. A Plant Propagation Party – And You’re Invited!
Students learned about plant propagation and key features and differences between different propagation methods. The workshop highlighted five methods of propagating horticultural crops: seed germination, leaf cuttings, leaf section cuttings, stem cuttings, and layering. At the end of the workshop, students propagated plants to care for and enjoy at home!
4. From Grass to Goalposts: Sports Field Management at Iowa State University
Students visited the Jack Trice Football stadium and learned about the art and science of managing collegiate sports turf. They explored key topics such as turfgrass species, soils, irrigation, and mowing practices – all crucial for maintaining a high-quality sports field. They also got a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium.
A great fun-filled day full of learning, experiencing, and exploration!
