There’s one annual bloom that young horticulturists can count on — the New Jersey FFA Horticulture Exposition.
By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — There’s one annual bloom that young horticulturists can count on — the New Jersey FFA Horticulture Exposition.
Now in its 37th year, this year the exposition featured more than 800 arrangements by more than 550 high school students from 30 schools in New Jersey. Students, who come from schools that offer horticulture and agriculture programs, were judged in 30 categories including a live floral design competition on March 14.
This is the third year the event has taken place at Mercer County Community College, where the exposition filled the skywalk and the gymnasium with the lovely fragrance of all kinds of flowers. The Mercer County Community College Horticulture Program and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDOA) teamed up to host the event.
NJDOA Secretary Douglas Fischer spoke before students embarked on the live floral design competition and then he joined in the fun, making a one-sided symmetrical triangle floral arrangement alongside of the students who were competing.
Secretary Fischer said he felt “incompetent” next to the students.
”I’m here to support the kids and to encourage them in the wonderful program that is FFA,” Secretary Fischer said. “The FFA is housed in the Department of Agriculture and we’re constantly trying to help out where we can.”
Kelly Gangel, a Rutgers University student with the New Jersey FFA association, helped Secretary Fischer with his arrangement.
”I think it’s mostly fun for the students and gives them a chance to be creative,” Ms. Gangel said. “It’s also about trying to think on the spot and using their critical thinking skills.”
The students’ floral arrangements were judged on design, mechanics, creative expression, visual and physical balance and size relationship to the container they were given.
When South Hunterdon Regional High School junior Amanda Wengryn finished the live floral design competition, she said it felt like she was in her classroom “practicing making arrangements for Thanksgiving, filling orders, having fun.” Other categories the students were judged in included houseplants, terrariums, dish gardens and bedding plants grown from seed. There were also themed floral arrangement categories such as wedding, congratulatory bouquets and nosegays. In the “Thinking of You” category, flowers popped out of the top and toe area of a purple foot cast. A cascade bouquet was accented with peacock feathers. In the “Trendsetter” category, black carnations covered a Darth Vader mask. There were also FFA-themed categories. The prizes included “Best in Division” and “Best in Show.”
Amy Ricco, assistant professor and program coordinator for horticulture at Mercer County Community College, said the event generates a lot of excitement. She said the college looks forward to giving students a chance to display their work and to interact with students from other schools who share their interest in the field.
”It’s great because it renews faith that people are still interested in agriculture and horticulture,” Ms. Ricco said.
As one of only four community colleges in the state that offers horticulture and plant science degree programs, Mercer County Community College is the ideal location for the expo, according to Ms. Ricco.
Job prospects for those with an associate degree in horticulture and plant science are strong right now, Ms. Ricco said.”There are openings in a variety of settings, including greenhouse production, golf course management, nursery production, landscape design, and sports turf management,” she said, noting that the growing interest in organic, community and cooperative gardening has further bolstered the field.
Stuart Faunce continued working with the FFA after graduating from Allentown High School in 2013. He now holds the rank of parliamentarian for the state FFA. Although he’s attending Mercer County Community College to pursue a career in mathematics, he continues working with the FFA because it is an invaluable organization. He said there are many aspects of the organization, including getting opportunities to develop leadership skills, public speaking skills and connections.
”It’s just an amazing organization,” he said. “I’ve seen the growth from freshman year to senior year. I continue to participate in it to give back, to inspire FFA members and to help them develop their leadership practices.”
For more information about the New Jersey FFA, visit http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/ag_ed/ffa/. For more information about Mercer County Community College’s horticulture program, contact Amy Ricco at [email protected].