The SCI Dallas horticulture class came home from the Bloomsburg Fair with ribbons for the 10th straight year!
This year, the class won its first Best of Show ribbon in the Topiary category with an “All American” design (see below). In addition, 13 first, 5 second, 10 third, 2 fourth, and 1 fifth place for a total of 32 ribbons awarded out of 48 entries. The entries include houseplants, floral arrangements, wreaths, flowerpot figures and vegetables.
Students learn to grow and use their garden products in various Horticulture Therapy projects. Ranging from plant sales to staff, student and compound gardens, as well as community outreach projects. In cooperation with the Activities Department and the inmate organizations, Jaycees, Latin Heritage, Lifers, and the Veterans Service Unit, plants are donated to the Dallas Employee Welfare Association, local nursing homes, Veterans centers, and charitable organizations throughout the year.
The 800-hour horticulture vocational program provides three industry recognized certifications from National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI). The certifications are for Floriculture/Greenhouse Grower, Horticulture/Landscaping, and Applied Horticulture. The skills being learned in the program transfer to successful employment in a variety of areas of the rapidly “growing” field of horticulture. O Net expects a 4-7% growth in the field over the next decade.
