CNGA LooseLeaf April/May19

22 colorad o nga.org LooseLeaf April/May 2019 Below are photos of the student lounge at the Department of Hor- ticulture and Landscape Architecture at CSU—not much has changed since its construction in 1928 and renovation in 1978. It’s no wonder our industry has difficulties recruiting young professionals in horti- culture, when this is what those students are met with after they have decided on horticulture as their career path. Good news! The CSU College of Agriculture has been granted funding to build a new state-of-the-art building, which will house the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Construc- tion is likely to start in 2020. In the last CHREF update, I wrote about our ongoing conversa- tions with the dean of the College of Agriculture and potential avenues where GreenCO and CSU can work together in solving industry and university issues. In January, the board members and staff from CNGA, ALCC, GCC, CALCP, and leaders in the industry had another meeting with Department of Horticulture and Landscape Ar- chitecture faculty and administration. We continued the discussion on how to collaborate to increase interest in horticultural careers, recruit students, and tell the story of our many members through opportuni- ties in the new agriculture building. Our discussion focused on how the industry can help recruit high school graduates into the university’s horticulture programs. To do this, it became apparent that the green industry in Colorado needs to tell its story. We have many amazing members in both CNGA and related associations throughout the state, but the only people that know that is us! In the age of Facebook and Instagram, it is increasingly easy to market to our desired audience through social media—something that was touched upon in these conversations. We need to make horticul- ture attractive and bring it to the attention of high school students, who will then get excited about studying horticulture and working at our businesses. Additionally, there are ways to tell our story in the new agricul- ture building on campus. Classrooms, study spaces, computer labs, and even conference rooms can be named after industry partners, in exchange for a financial gift. CHREF members had a chance to meet with about 20 horticulture students during our trip to Fort Collins. Most of the students seemed to have emotional ties to horticulture and were there because it is what they love to do. One of their biggest worries, though, is being able to make a career out of it. They don’t know what opportunities exist! Just imagine, during every class period and study session, if they could see industry partners’ names in those rooms, they would know where their education is leading them. Faculty is just as important. With the retirement of Dr. James Klett, it has become increasingly apparent that we need to help CSU in its search for new, energetic faculty. We can do this through endowed chairs, professorships, and fellowships. With each step we take, we are moving closer to solving the labor is- sues that span our industry. Be on the lookout for information on how CNGA and CHREF are moving forward and how you can be a part of securing the future of the industry. FUNDING RESEARCH & EDUCATION Securing Our Futures through Telling Our Story ByMike Schleining, CCNP CHREF BoardMember 2015–16&2016–17 CHREF Scholarship Recipient advertisers LIST ACW Supply................................................................... 8 AgRisk Advisors............................................................17 Clayton Tree Farm, LLC. .............................................18 Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery.................................21 Harding Nursery, Inc....................................................17 McKay Nursery Company. .........................................17