The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association recently recognized Dakota County Technical College’s Landscape and Horticulture program for its outstanding work and achievements.
The DCTC Landscape and Horticulture program was awarded a $3000 grant to help fund a computerized greenhouse environmental control system. DCTC’s Landscape and Horticulture program is currently in the process of raising funds to construct two new greenhouses and the grant money will help provide this critical element once construction has begun.
Students from the program were also awarded. Two DCTC graduates, Wendy Loomis and Karen Filloon, were honored for winning MNLA design awards and five DCTC students were recognized for passing the MNLA Certified Professional examination. Currently, one in every 10 MNLA Certified Professionals in Minnesota graduated from DCTC’s Landscape and Horticulture program.
Also receiving recognition were Nancy Thorman Dahl and Chris Morissette, recipients of scholarships sponsored by the MNLA Foundation. The MNLA scholarship program recognizes superior students enrolled in horticultural, nursery or landscape studies programs at several area colleges and universities. The scholarships are designed by MNLA and its member companies to help grow future leaders in the nursery and landscape industry.
Two MNLA member firms co-sponsored the scholarships for the Dakota County Technical College students. Bachman’s Nursery Wholesale based in Farmington sponsored the scholarship for Thorman Dahl. The Hoffman and McNamara Foundation based in Hastings sponsored the scholarship for Morrissette.
To be eligible for an MNLA scholarship, applicants must possess a “C” grade average or better, present letters of recommendation from instructors and employers, and submit an essay stating their career goals and objectives.
Dakota County Technical College has been training students for employment in the green industry since 1971 with about 50 students entering the program each year. They have a 95% success rate of placing students in related employment within one year of their graduation.
The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association is the state’s largest green industry trade association with over 1,500 member companies. Members include nurseries, garden centers, landscape contractors, landscape designers, irrigation contractors, commercial flower growers, tree care specialists, professional gardening services, and turf and landscape management professionals.
