Greenhouse - Landscaping - Horticulture

Objective:
To promote horticulture through activities in gardening and landscaping, and to promote horticulture by cultivating interest in and the care of a number of plant groups (i.e. ornamental landscape, garden, tropical and potted flowering crops such as poinsettias).

To maintain the greenhouse facility in a clean and safe manner, collaborate with faculty regarding their needs for laboratory courses taught in the facility and provide assistance with said laboratory courses by making presentations on certain topics. Additionally, to provide appropriate upkeep of plant materials for faculty use, university functions, Extension demonstration and display gardens. The technician provides appropriate aesthetic enhancements to several university functions throughout the year. The greenhouse technician manages the grounds on South campus which surround research facilities and the landscaped areas surrounding Allen and Foster Halls on Campus. This includes care of turf, pruning and trimming of shrubs and trees, weeding, watering, and installation of plant materials. The greenhouse technician also plans and designs flower beds and grows the appropriate bedding plants for use in the above-named areas. Additionally, the technician participates in a poinsettia trials program. All these growing and maintenance activities require monitoring of plant nutrition, insect and disease pathogens with appropriate treatments as deemed necessary. Lastly, there is collaboration with the Jefferson City Public Schools where special needs students experience a greenhouse environment and tasks as part of their job sampling program.

Impact:
These activities promote a positive image of the university as well as a positive image for the Cooperative Research & Extension Programs. The south campus area where Research and Extension facilities are located is immediately adjacent to the Dwight T. Reed Football stadium. Thousands of individuals attend LU Football and athletic events at the stadium. Additionally, Lincoln University hosts the Missouri State High School State Track Competition where there are thousands in attendance. The poinsettia trials program provides valuable input for the poinsettia breeders who provide the plant materials as well as an opportunity for growers and florists to evaluate new cultivars for inclusion in their offerings. The collaboration with the Jefferson City Public Schools provides a very positive experience for those special needs students with the natural consequence of a positive image for greenhouse programs.

  
For More Information, Contact:

Theresa Blank, Greenhouse Technician
LU Greenhouse
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029

Phone: (573) 681-5455
Fax: (573) 681-5546

E-Mail: Theresa Blank  blankt@lincolnu.edu