North Montco Technical Career Center's horticulture program provides students with a working knowledge, understanding, and application of skills essential to establishing, maintaining and managing a horticultural business. In addition, students gain landscape experience, operate a production greenhouse and a school flower shop.
Horticulture is a broad field offering plenty of opportunities. Scientific, creative and entrepreneurial people choose to study and work in horticultural related industries. In general, our communities will benefit as future horticulturists learn to tackle environmental issues such as sustainability, conservation, and pest control, to name a few.
Cassondra "Kassie" Sowden, alumni of North Montco's Horticulture program, was able to put her green thumb to good use this year when she stood in as a long–term sub for Mrs. Patti Miller, North Montco's horticulture teacher. Both were kind enough to offer insight into the field.
When did your interest in horticulture begin? Did you demonstrate interest as a child?
Sowden: My interest in horticulture started when I was young. I remember always being interested in plants, planting, and designing/arranging. I was always outside in my garden or flower bed, picking weeds or watering. I never thought of it as work, and it was always something I enjoyed.
Miller: It’s true, Kassie has always enjoyed the idea of nurturing, whether it is plants or animals. She enjoys caring for plants and has a variety of different pets. To be a successful gardener, you must understand the idea of "tending" to your garden. Plants need nurturing to flourish. Kassie has the disposition and patience it takes to "watch things grow." I would say that's why as a kid, she never thought of "weeding and watering" as work. If we enjoy what we do, we don't think of it as work! The payoff is you helped to create something beautiful that others can enjoy as well.
How did you discover North Montco’s Horticulture program?
Sowden: A neighbor of mine attended North Montco and informed me about the school. It sounded like something that might interest me, so I signed up for a scheduled visit with my sending school (Wissahickon) when a tour was offered. I attended North Montco part-time while in grades nine and 10. I then enrolled fulltime for grades 11 and 12 and participated in the Pennsylvania Youth Apprenticeship (PYAP). I was active in the FFA Farm Show competition and was a member of the National Technical Honor Society. As a result of my work in this program, I was able to earn my PA Skills Certificate, OSHA, and a First Aid certificate.
(Note: North Montco offers tours to students from each of its sending school districts. Typically, district tours are arranged as a fieldtrip for middle school students North Montco’s sending high schools are Methacton, North Penn, Perkiomen Valley, Souderton, and Wissahickon. North Montco also schedules an open house in February for interested students and parents at sending schools.)
Miller: I remember she also earned, “Most Outstanding Senior in Horticulture class” the year she graduated!
What is the spectrum of learning (things taught) in this program? What kind of careers or post-secondary education would be a natural fit?
Sowden: Students learn about landscaping, hardscaping, floral design, greenhouse management, and hydro/aquaponics in this program. There are many interesting careers to explore as well, for example, greenhouse management, soil scientist, floral designer, landscape/hardscape & greenhouse grower, to name a few. As for post-secondary education, Delaware Valley, Penn Tech, Temple Ambler Campus are a few good options.
Miller: North Montco’s horticulture program provides theoretical and hands-on experience in practical landscaping and garden design, hydroponic and aquaponic crop production, plant propagation, greenhouse management, crop production, plant science and introductory botany, soil science, environmental science and sustainability, and floral design. Students also learn about business practices and workplace ethics.
For more information, check out this website.
Miller: North Montco horticulture students attend DelVal University, majoring in the areas of horticulture and agribusiness. Penn College of Technology offers two-year programs in the area of horticulture and related fields. Temple University, Ambler campus, sends its representatives to the NMTCC Horticulture Program each year to assist students interested in their program. Longwood Gardens offers several post-high school internship opportunities for those who want to continue learning. Morris Arboretum has provided one of this year's graduates with the opportunity to participate in their aboriculture internship program. This student's career plan is to become a certified arborist and climber. Franklin and Marshall College offers two-year programs in environmental management. Finally, Williamson College of the Trades offers horticulture education at no cost to the student for those that qualify.
Is there a part of the program that students find more exciting or seem to find most interesting? How popular is hydroponics/aquaponics?
Sowden: I think most students find the aquaponics and hydroponics interesting. It’s a novel concept for students to learn that fish help us grow things, like lettuce, kale, etc. Since COVID, people are finding out how easy it is to grow things at home and not spend as much money.
Miller: Students join the program with varying degrees of interest in the different topics we study. Aquaponics and hydroponics are appealing to many students, as well as landscaping and floral design. However, what most students have in common is that they like the hands-on nature of the program, and most students enjoy being outside and not sitting at a desk.
While hydro, aqua, and aeroponics are very popular these days, it's not technically a new idea. These areas have become more popular with industries as consumers have become more environmentally and nutritionally conscious. In addition, these technologies have been marketed to the home grower on a smaller scale by way of DIY kits and small systems. The North Montco Horticulture Program can provide our culinary arts department with fresh lettuces, assorted greens, and herbs harvested from our aquaponic and hydroponic systems. In addition, it is a great way to deliver a STEM curriculum to students.
Tell us about a couple of your job experiences where this training helped prepare you, including substituting this year for Mrs. Miller, North Montco Horticulture teacher?
Sowden: I have worked in greenhouses, nurseries, and floral shops. The training I received through North Montco has helped a lot. Without my North Montco experience, I probably would not have been offered the jobs I had in the past.
This past year I was the long-term sub for the horticulture program; I have enjoyed this experience a lot. It made me realize how much I enjoy teaching and helping students learn and watching them grow in their skills.
What are your future career goals/plans?
Sowden: After graduating high school, I worked in the horticulture field for several years. I am currently attending North Hampton Community College and am focusing on earning an education degree. I will receive my associate's degree this year and plan to attend Gwynedd Mercy University to earn a BS in Special Education.
Anything else you'd like to add? Any gardening tips?
Sowden: North Montco is a great school not only to work at but also to attend. I enjoyed my time here as a student and also enjoyed teaching here. I encourage every student to give North Montco a try.
Garden Tip from Sowden: Weeding is crucial for beautiful garden. In spite of things like mulch that can help reduce the germination of weed seeds, this kind of garden upkeep can really improve curb appeal!
Miller: North Montco provides students with the opportunity to connect skills learned in the classroom and apply them to real-world work experiences. Students have the opportunity to explore different options and discover areas of interest they may not have considered before.
Garden Tip from Miller: It's the time of year to enjoy all the many annuals and perennials that fill our gardens with color. If you find that your plants are slow in blooming or don't see as many blooms on your plant as you should, try giving them a little boost with some high phosphorous fertilizer. Phosphorous is the middle macro element commonly found on the front of any bag or box of fertilizer. For instance, an N-P-K of 10-52-10 indicates that the fertilizer has a high percentage of macronutrient phosphorous. Also, to encourage new growth, don't forget to snip off any blooms that are past their prime!
See also:
NMTCC Profile: Drew Ward, Former Mechatronics Student Turned President Of PacPro Inc.
North Montco Carpentry Alumn Dovetailed Learning Into Career As Essential Worker
Master Carpenter And Teacher Builds A Career Made To Last At North Montco Tech
Virtual And Hybrid Instruction At Its Best For High School Welding Students
North Montco Technical Career Center Launches Educational Foundation
