Meet Dr. Whitney Griffin: Welcome to the HORT Department!

Dr. Griffin joined the horticulture faculty at Texas A&M in 2015 to pursue her passion for undergraduate education. She will be teaching HORT 332, Landscape Graphics; HORT 425, Landscape Maintenance and Construction; HORT 432, Horticulture Landscape Design; and HORT Horticulture Landscape Design II.







About Dr. Griffin:  
 
At Auburn University, Whitney Griffin earned a B.S. in Horticulture Science (Ornamental Landscape Design track, 2008, with a minor in Agronomy and Soils) and an M.S. in Horticulture Science (2010). In 2014 she earned a Ph.D. in Plant Sciences from the University of Maryland where she researched green roof technology as a stormwater management tool and taught multiple undergraduate courses, including study abroad courses to New Zealand.

After completing her doctorate she entered the private sector, running the maintenance division for a boutique contracting firm in Baltimore, Maryland that designs, installs, and maintains green roofs and living walls. Her portfolio spanned over 2 million square feet of green roofs and living walls from New York City to Raleigh and as far west as Chicago. She participated in every step of the process from design to installation to maintenance.

Her interests include environmental horticulture, sustainable design, and best practices for landscape business management.

Welcome to the department Dr. Griffin!

Study Abroad Fair

University Study Abroad Fair - September 23, 2015

Join us for the TAMU Study Abroad Fair in Rudder Exhibit Hall from 10 AM - 2 PM. The event is open to all majors and is a come-and-go event. Students will get the opportunity to learn about all the TAMU and non-TAMU international programs with this one stop shop study abroad fair. 

The Department of Horticultural Sciences will be there representing both our Italy All Majors and France Agriculture Production Systems (all majors) trips. Both study abroads are during Summer Session 1.

 Italy

 France

Study Abroad Fair information: http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/Events/Study-Abroad-Fair
Department of Horticultural Sciences Study Abroad trips: http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/academics/study-abroad-programs/

TAMU Rose Breeding & Genetics Program Update!

Get the latest news and information from the Texas A&M Rose Breeding & Genetics Program. Hear about Dr. Byrne's adventures to Brazil, the Moore Rose Garden in Texas, the national meeting of the American Rose Society, and much more!

If you have any questions about our work here at Texas A&M University or how to support the Basye or Moore Rose Collection and Legacy, the Rose Breeding and Genetics program, and our students, feel free to contact me (dbyrne@tamu.edu). We need your support for student scholarships and to maintain the many research gardens needed for an excellent research program. Your support makes our program possible. I try to post regular updates on the Rose Breeding and Genetics Facebook page.   Please check it out and like us!

Disney Internships Applications Open

The Agricultural Sciences team, part of Disney's Animals, Science and Environment, is looking for undergraduate college students and recent graduates who have received their Bachelor's degree within 6 months of the internship start dates to participate in a fun and challenging six month hands-on internship in several different agricultural and science education fields including Plant Science, Entomology, Biotechnology, and Aquaculture.

Horticulture Internship
Disney's Horticulture is dedicated to creating and preserving the "magical" guest experience through horticulture. Through these actions, Disney's Horticulture is an exemplary steward of the environment and a source of beauty, refreshment, and inspiration for all who work and play here. Disney's Horticulture Professional Intern Program is designed to provide qualified students with the opportunity to further their knowledge through practical hands on work experience. Students will be assigned to various regions of the landscape operation. In addition to the work experience students must participate in the program activities, which include weekly seminars, projects and plant/pest identification.

Interested in Disney Professional Internships? Find out more here.

Texas Nursery and Landscape Expo '15

Thanks to all who stopped by our booth at the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) Expo! We had a great time meeting industry leaders and prospective students.

To learn more about TNLA visit: http://www.tnlaonline.org/

Congratulations ASHS Participants

This August a group of Texas A&M students and faculty attended the American Society for Horticultural Sciences Annual Conference. The students had an outstanding performance both in the individual competitions and team competition.

Mike Arnold - ASHS President
Brent Pemberton - named ASHS Fellow
Ed Hellman - recieved the Outstanding Extension Educator Award

Sarah Swofford - designated as an ASHS Outstanding Horticulture Undergraduate Student
Meghan Peoples - 1st place in Overall Individual, 3rd in Woody Ornamentals Crop Individual
Perla Aguilar - 1st place in Greenhouse Foliage and Floral Crop Individual, 3rd place in Overall Individual
Paul Peraza - 2nd place in Greenhouse Foliage and Floral Crop Individual
Kaitlin Tyler - 1st place in Exam Individual
Andrew Sheldorf - 2nd place in Exam Individual

Texas A&M was 1st in the Overall Team, Greenhouse Foliage and Floral Crops Team, Exam Team categories as well as 2nd in Woody Ornamentals Crops Team and Vegetable Crops Team categories!

Congratulations and thank you for being such a great representative of Texas A&M!

Nominate an Industry Leader

Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives Search

Do you know an individual or group of individuals whose leadership and vision is changing the future of agriculture and rural America for the better? If so, we want to hear from you! We’re searching for 100 leaders who are positively shaping what is next for rural communities and agriculture.

Whether the leader is a “farm kid” who speaks to youth in urban areas about the importance of agriculture; a business leader respected for commitment to their community and the thriving future of rural America; an agriculture educator who may have inspired thousands throughout the years; or a farmer or rancher dedicated to progress and innovation on their farm or ranch, we invite you to help us identify these dynamic visionaries. Please consider submitting a nomination today. 

Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees will have the opportunity to share their stories and inspire with their vision throughout the Farm Credit centennial year in 2016 and beyond. Additionally, ten distinguished Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees — one from each nomination category — will receive a $10,000 award to help further their contributions to thriving rural communities and agriculture. These ten honorees and a guest also will be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in a special Farm Credit recognition event in 2016. Nominations will be accepted through December 18, 2015. Please see the Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives official rules for further details.

“We’re encouraging anyone who has made important contributions to the agriculture industry to apply; whether you’re a producer, or a teacher, or even a chef highlighting locally grown food,” says Sandy Wieber, Senior Vice President of Marketing for MidAtlantic Farm Credit.

http://www.farmcredit100.com/fresh-perspectives/search