The Level 1 Landscape and Environmental Design students show off the new tiered landscape to the manager of the Salem branch of The Tractor Supply Company, Brian Beight. Pictured from left to right are: (front row) Erin Rousch (Southern Local), Trista Koffel (Beaver Local), Cody Holenchick (United), Patricia Jones (Beaver Local), Megan Cusick (Southern Local), Beight, Kylee Estes (Salem), Bradly Rice (Salem), Jakob Graffius (Salem), and Benjamin Daniels (Wellsville)- (Second Row): Jacob Wickline (Crestview), Mark Wilson (East Palestine), Brandon Smith (Beaver Local), Johnathan Cress (Leetonia), Wyatt McCoy (Beaver Local), Adam Ortega (East Palestine), Richie Simons (Lisbon David Anderson), and Jesse McVey (Lisbon David Anderson)
In the spring of 2017, the Landscape and Environmental Design (LED) program at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center received a grant in the amount of $4,500.00 from the Tractor Supply Company to fund a greenhouse landscape project.
Since receiving the funding from the grant, a new tiered landscape has been developed outside of the Greenhouse at the Agriculture Annex Complex at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center.
All of the work was completed by the LED students. There was much work and preparation put into the project. It included the students preparing the area to be landscaped, laying out the plants (82 plants) for placement, and digging holes for the plants. Students learned how to mix soil mediums and how deep in the soil to place the plants. Once planted, the students applied fertilizer was applied, watered all plants, and applied mulch.
There is still work to be completed by the students. They will be installing an irrigation system to water plants and will continue plant maintenance by pruning, continually assessing the soil, and applying additional fertilizer as needed. The new tiered landscape will showcase the depth of student work and skill experience.
This hands-on experiential project will boost student employability by giving them the opportunity to experience real world work. It also contributes substantially to students’ success in completing the 12-point Ohio Certified Landscape Technician credential.
The Landscape and Environmental Design program thanks the Tractor Supply Company for growing with our students at the CCCTC and showing continued support of the program and the work it does.