By Karisma Boyd

YORK College introduced the Environmental Horticulture degree in fall of 2021. The Bachelor of Science program is an opportunity to learn the science and business of plants. Students responsibly care for these plants as well as its needed resources with hands-on learning in the classroom and the greenhouse in the Naylor Ecological Building.

The global environmental horticulture industry is a growing business especially due to the current state of the environment. With climate change, pollution and food security increasing every year – so does the need for environmentalists. 

“I think a lot of students, whether or not they are in this major, will have a great time growing all sorts of plants with me,” said Dr. James Smith, an assistant professor in the Environmental Horticulture program. “I see this major as a perfect opportunity for students who love nature and want to work with the environment.”

This program can secure a great deal of career opportunities, including a horticulturist,  crop specialist or nursery operator. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural and food scientists earn an average annual salary of $74,160. 

Vie Meyers, a sophomore Horticulturist student, transferred to York College from the University of Pittsburgh last year after learning about the new addition of the Environmental Horticulture major. 

“My end goal is to own a destination greenhouse,” Meyers said, “a place where people could shop for plants or gardening stuff. But at the same time could work for a wedding venue or a restaurant, and kind of combine those two ideas.”

To add on to this steadily growing program, York College has been building a 10,000-square-foot facility since September 2022. The Appell Horticulture Center (an extension of the Naylor Building) will be used to expand on the educational opportunities with features like various resource labs, a herbarium, as well as student and faculty areas.  

Louis J. Appell Jr., a prominent businessman and philanthropist within York, shared a love of gardening with his wife. They would travel the world learning about different plants, bringing those ideas back to their 50-acre estate dedicated to various plant ecosystems, turning the plots of land into a series of garden areas. 

When Appell passed away in 2016, one of his wishes was to add a Horticulture program to York College along with additional funding from his estate specifically for that purpose.

The program was created with a multimillion-dollar commitment from the Powder Mill Foundation, established by Appell, and focuses on environmental sustainability in addition to offering hands-on learning opportunities at Millbourne, his 50-acre private estate in York County.

“I was a nature kid and had gardens when I was young,” Smith said.  “And it’s so neat to find a career area that allows me to keep playing. I bring my little kid self and my grown-up scientist to work everyday.”

The two-story Appell Horticulture Center, along with advanced equipment, will provide students with additional space and include a soil laboratory, a plant/insect laboratory, a plant pathology laboratory, a student research laboratory, a herbarium, preparation rooms, study areas, meeting rooms, faculty offices, and support spaces.

The combined space of the Naylor and Appell buildings will be more than 23,000 square feet, according to York College officials. The latter’s anticipated opening is fall 2023.

Smith said he hopes to be able to also expand this program beyond Horticulturist majors, giving students the opportunity to apply for an introductory course in general sciences for those who love to work with plants and learn about gardening. 

“I think a lot of students, whether or not they are in this major, will have a great time growing all sorts of plants with me.” he said. “I see this major as a perfect opportunity for students who love nature and want to work with the environment.”

Karisma Boyd is a junior majoring in Mass Communications.

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