The Cultivar UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture dept. newsletter, fall 2024 edition

Where are they now?

Raymond Odeh

Ray Odeh graduated with his Master’s Degree from UF/IFAS, in 2018 and went on to pursue a career in Horticulture. His influence is felt by both students taking the Plant ID course and other plant lovers who enjoy the many plants he, under the direction of Plant ID instructor Dr. Bart Schutzman, carefully nurtured around Fifield Hall. Those of us who were present while Ray attended the department remember an energetic individual who was enthusiastic and passionate about his work and studies. We connected with Ray to find out what he's been up to since graduating from UF...

Can you describe your current role in the environmental horticulture industry and how your education prepared you for it?

"My current role as head of horticulture for Houston Zoo involves managing a team to design, install, and maintain diverse gardens and animal exhibits across a 55-acre public space."

"The Environmental Horticulture department and University of Florida prepared me to think critically about problems and coordinate complex projects. During my graduate studies, I recruited healthy women to be randomly assigned to gardening and art programs. Working with people and plants helped me to communicate to various community members and gave me insight on program planning for public gardens."

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when transitioning from being a student to a professional in the industry?

"One of the biggest challenges when transitioning from student to industry professional was balancing expectations I had for how I would enter the work force. Graduating with a Master’s, I was a subject expert on horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture and I had minimal work experience outside of my graduate work and research, and that made it difficult to find a high level job starting out. After six years gaining experience working at public gardens and landscape companies, I finally found myself in a position well suited for the skills I had developed at UF. Looking back, it was important for me to gain the working experience at multiple levels within an organization to be a more effective leader. My recommendation would be to engage in multiple internships to not only to gain work experience but to network with industry professionals to help in future job searches."

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in environmental horticulture?

"My favorite way to stay updated on trends and advancements in environmental horticulture is to travel and visit horticulture institutions like public gardens, zoos, and arboreta. My most recent trip has been to Longwood Gardens! Keeping a close network of talented industry professionals helps keep new ideas flowing and helps in future job searches. Another great way to connect to new ideas and advancements is attendance at trade shows and conferences. This year I will attend the Association of Zoo & Aquariums (AZA) and Aquarium and Zoo Facilities Association (AZFA) conferences to exchange solutions and collaborate on projects with industry leaders in Zoo Management."

What skills or knowledge do you think are most crucial for success in the environmental horticulture industry today?

"First, success in environmental horticulture has not been a linear journey for me and defining success for each individual is an important concept to reflect on. For me, success has meant flexibility and autonomy in creative expression within horticulture and innovating within the Zoo Horticulture sector. For one, having a strong base in horticulture technique (landscape plant establishment, plant identification and taxonomy, pruning) is essential to almost everyone directly working with plants in the field. Being well-rounded and adaptable is important in this field. Skills related to economic and financial literacy would definitely help during budget planning even if that means you use these skills to balance your own personal budgets in life. Confidence is key in our industry and all industries, course work public speaking, persuasive writing and making effective arguments should not be skipped as this could help in interviews, leveraging skills in negotiations and advocating for teams during a tight budget year."

Can you share a project or experience from your career that you found particularly rewarding or impactful?

"For a recent project at the Houston Zoo, we planted 4 major trees on the elephant exhibit and landscaping connecting the themed zone into the public landscapes. With our elephants being Asian Elephants, I selected 28’ Chinese Elm trees Ulmus parvifolia ‘Bosque’ which are themed for the country of origin for these animals and a great browse plant (plant that can be used to feed and enrich the diets of animals to mimic natural browsing behaviors). One challenge for planting trees that are tasty and palatable for zoo animals on exhibit is keeping the animals away from the plants. With the largest land animal, it was an even greater challenge. We reinforced steel cables as a barrier between the elephants and reinforced existing barriers. This tree cultivar is also diamond shaped which helps keep them above the reach of our elephants."

"The trees now provide shade and every time we prune these trees it can be given to the elephants as browse. Off exhibit, we planted elephant ears, palms and bamboo to help obscure views of buildings and create an immersive experience for our guests."

EMERITUS FACULTY

DR. TERRILL NELL

Terril A. Nell is a Professor Emeritus of Floriculture at the University of Florida, where he served as Chair of the Environmental Horticulture Department from 1991 to 2012. He was also a Professor of Floriculture from 1977 to 2012. His research has focused on the production and postharvest handling of flowering potted plants and fresh-cut flowers, leading to significant improvements in the floral industry. We reached out to Dr. Nell to find out what he’s been up to since leaving the department and he graciously answered some of our questions.

Reflecting on your career, what significant changes have you observed in the field of environmental horticulture?

Technological advancements have dramatically changed the production, handling and marketing of plants, flowers, shrubs and turfgrasses. And technology has impacted university education, research and communication with industry and consumers positively.

As an example, sophisticated greenhouse environmental control systems were not available until I had been at UF for 10 years. Today, it is not necessary, as it was prior to the late ‘80’s’, to enter a greenhouse to know the thermostat setting or the current temperature. Computer technology now allows the total control of the greenhouse environment from an office. Similarly, efficient fertilizer delivery, irrigation systems, soil moisture monitoring sensors and the use of LED lighting have changed production systems and, in many cases, improved plant growth.

Some of the biggest changes have been the use of automation for propagation, movement/handling and packing plants. Today, instead of people sticking cuttings, planting seeds, or transplanting rooted cuttings, equipment and robots provide these services, often at higher efficiency. Now, with AI being adopted by many businesses, it is difficult to know the changes that may develop in the future. Unfortunately, small growers cannot afford some of the equipment to implement these changes.

University researchers, with support from industry and state and federal funding, have led industry evaluation and development of systems, such as LED lighting. One change that is rapidly being adopted by the industry is the use of biological control practices, thus reducing the use of synthetic pesticides. These changes have led to the development of current information in university education and extension programs.

What do you consider your most significant contribution to environmental horticulture, and why?

My career at UF combined teaching, research, and administration (Department Chair) in the Environmental Horticulture Department. Each of these roles offered the opportunity to interact with faculty, staff, students, and the industries served by the department. With Environmental Horticulture programs throughout the state, I had the opportunity to visit the sites of these programs several times each year.

One of the contributions during my 20 years as Department Chair was hiring outstanding faculty in Gainesville and at Research and Education Centers. Through the years, in coordination with the Center Directors and the IFAS Deans and Vice-President, we hired highly qualified faculty for these programs. The faculty have been successful in teaching, research and extension. They have educated and trained talented and knowledgeable undergraduate and graduate students.

The educational programs for undergraduate students changed over the years as the expectations of our graduates evolved with the business and technological changes in the industry. One of the changes that served students well was the addition of an Agribusiness minor into all Environmental Horticulture curricula. These courses combined with environmental horticulture and plant sciences courses assured students were ‘job ready’ upon graduation.

I had the opportunity to conduct research on flowering potted plant shipping and handling at a research center in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands for 6 months. I observed a need to introduce researchers and students to European plant and flower production and marketing. In 1995, we launched a horticulture international student tour each Spring for about 10 days. Through the years, tours to Holland, France, Italy, England, Costa Rica, and other countries have been developed. The tours included plant production facilities, garden centers, public gardens, and cultural centers. I remember one student on the first tour saying that the tour changed his entire perspective on his goals and professional interest in Environmental Horticulture. I have seen him several times through the years, and he has always mentioned the life-changing aspects of the tour.

Can you share a memorable project or research study that you worked on and its impact on the community or environment?

My research program focused on the production, shipping and handling of flowering potted plants and cut flowers. We were able to develop good facilities for this program, like the great facilities I used in Holland. Staff, undergraduate and graduate students, interns, visiting faculty and postdocs contributed to the program. Fortunately, results from this program established new care and handling practices for potted plants and cut flowers.

Another area resulted from discussions with flower production companies who were struggling with heat delay of potted chrysanthemum. One of my graduate students, Anne Whealy, conducted this research as her Doctoral research project. She identified the most sensitive time during production that led to heat delay at flowering. Growers were able to use this information to minimize problems with the delay of flowering in elevated temperature periods.

What challenges do you believe the field of environmental horticulture will face in the coming decades, and how can new professionals prepare to address them?

At this time, there are three areas that are and will continue to challenge flower and plant producers and gardeners:

Water – Water is becoming more expensive and is being rationed in some areas. Identifying water saving techniques and low water use plants is critical. Water restrictions may limit the purchase of bedding plants and landscape plants by consumers.

Climate change – Environmental changes are real and are affecting living conditions and plant production. The USDA has modified the plant hardiness zone map to show that warmer conditions are moving more northerly. These conditions are affecting plants that will grow and flower in each zone. Plants that would not grow in moderately cold zones are now able to survive the milder winters.

Sustainability – Use of natural resources responsibility, adoption of practices that do not contribute to global warming unnecessarily and reducing and recycling materials is becoming a necessity. Sustainability is a measure of our ability to address social sustainability, economic sustainability, and environmental sustainability.

What advice would you give to students and young professionals who are just starting their careers in environmental horticulture?

University education is more than going to class, in person or online. Yes, it is critical to attend every class and laboratory. But I encourage students to get involved in student clubs and activities outside of classes. These activities allow for the exchange of thoughts and ideas that broaden knowledge learned in classes.

Students select majors because they are interested in the major and they envision a career that will give them personal satisfaction and success. Universities provide the setting to experience and learn from others. I encourage students to conduct an internship in an area of interest that gives them ‘real life’ knowledge and experience while still a student. Or students should go on student horticulture tours in the U.S or abroad. Each experience contributes to their abilities that will be useful throughout your life.