Teachers, Industry Professionals in Colorado Fight to Save Horticulture Program

Jeremy Hunt - noemail@earthwormjobs.com — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:00:00 GMT

For the past 35 years, students in Jefferson County, Colo., have had the option to take classes at Warren Tech to teach them skills needed to pursue landscaping or floral design careers. Now, after 35 years, the program may be wilting.

"If we don't get more students, then they are looking at closing the program for next year," said Susan Simons, a horticulture teacher for the last 15 years.

In its prime, the horticulture program often had more than 50 or 60 students enrolled. This year, only 22 students have signed up. Warren Tech Principal Joe Shaw says it's becoming financially prohibitive.

"If we don't have students enrolled, I don't have a program," said Shaw. "I'm held responsible for running programs that are fiscally sound and when I have a program that's running at less than 50 percent capacity versus a program that has a wait list, that's a concern."

Shaw says other technology-driven programs are overflowing with applicants while students are shying away from the labor-intensive trade of landscape work.

"It's just student interest," said Shaw.

Nick Shinkle is one of the interested students. He's a junior who was hoping to come back to horticulture next year. In this program, he has learned a variety of skills including how to drive a Bobcat and large tractor.

"It's just a great education being here," said Shinkle. "It just gives you a further step in life."

Shinkle says he's been able to excel in his outdoor classroom better than his indoor ones.

"Here, you're gonna be all hands-on equipment," said Shinkle. "You're hands-on. You're not just sitting in a classroom."

Simons says that's why continuing to offer horticulture is important for the state's largest school district.

"(For) every student (who is) in between, who traditional school doesn't work (for)," said Simons. "This day and age, we got to offer alternatives."

Two years ago, the district talked about shutting the program down. That's when Jim Foster decided to step down. He had taught in the program for 33 years as one of the teachers who helped form the program. He left hoping his salary cut would pump enough money to sustain the horticulture classes longer.

"Our industry is a large industry that just has a lot of need for trained employees," said Foster.

Kelly Mossholder would agree.

"I actually graduated from the program 30 years ago," said Mossholder.

She is a florist who says the horticulture program changed her life. Mossholder says programs like this are needed more than ever because there is a shortage of skilled workers going into landscaping and floral design.

"There's not a lot people going into this field," said Mossholder. "We need people to take care of our golf courses and our parks and if we didn't landscape our environment, it would just erode away."

All is not lost yet for the horticulture program. Shaw says if 40 students applied for next year's class, it may survive.

Simons says they are trying to draw students from all around the district in order to save the program. A group of landscape professionals has contacted the school offering financial help as an attempt to keep the program alive. Simons is hopeful.

"I don't want to be one of those used-to's," said Simons. "I would like to stay in this community because we have a value here."

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

13-Mar-08 8:00 PM

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Teachers, Industry Professionals in Colorado Fight to Save Horticulture Program