passionate about it. But when they come and want to have a relationship with us over the years and help our program, we help them; that’s what I’m excited about. That’s why I love the supportive industry. This feels like a family reunion more than anything.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS AN EDUCATOR? There are all kinds. It’s just like the industry, though. We have ups and downs, financial squeezes, and building and planning, etc. Every industry has their challenges, but we have blooming flowers and trees and things that look wonderful. We can make people’s lives better. We’re not just selling a box in a warehouse. We have the privilege of working with these plants and helping lives become better.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS A SIGNIFICANT BARRIER PREVENTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BEING INTERESTED IN THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY? It’s not sexy. They see all these other things that grab their attention effortlessly, but it’s coming along. I think it’s improving all the time, and this will get better. I’m so excited about the future. We’re handing the baton off and they’re going to do some great things.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE EDU- CATOR OF THE YEAR? I’m humbled and I don’t feel worthy of this because I know my friends out there are much more qualified than me. It’s a humbling experience to be recognized that way, but it means a lot to me.
IN FIVE YEARS, WHERE DO YOU SEE HORTICULTURE EDUCATION? First of all, our programs seem to be all threatened because of cutbacks in finances. When you consider the cost per individual, we have expensive programs. We’ve got to figure that out a little bit better. I also think that we’ve got to get better at making them sexy, the bells and whistles that come along with technology and other things to make this appealing to parents and to kids. This is not the first career option they see out there. They see lots of different things but we’re going to get better at this. TE
Meet the First Kevin Kehoe Student Leader of the Year Award Recipient
By Jill Odom
THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, KEVIN KEHOE, ASPIRE CO-FOUNDER, MADE CHARITABLE contributions to the NALP Foundation as a scholarship ambassador and as the lead champion of the annual NALP Foundation Scholarship Reception, held in conjunction with the NALP National Collegiate Landscape Competition.
He stressed the importance of giving to and
supporting students to attract the next genera- tion of landscape industry leaders. After Kehoe’s passing in 2022, the NALP Foundation created the Kevin Kehoe Student Leader of the Year Award. This award recognizes a student who has demon- strated strong leadership, has a passion for helping others and is an outstanding example to other students preparing for their careers in the industry. Ian Holcomb, a senior at Michigan State Uni-
versity majoring in horticulture, was selected as the first recipient of this award and also received a scholarship funded by Kehoe’s family, friends and industry associates. NALP chatted with Holcomb at NCLC to learn a little more about him.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN MAJORING IN SOMETHING RELATED TO THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY? I always grew up with my grandmother’s really beautiful garden. When COVID happened, I just started getting really big into plants. I think the connection that humans have to green spaces and nature is really important. I think it can affect your health positively and your mental health.
HOW DO THESE SCHOLARSHIPS HELP YOU? They help me immensely. They will pay for my rent and help me get to school. They make me feel a great appreciation for NALP and the industry. It’s awesome to see the industry supporting students and it makes you feel like you’re seen and they appreciate us as much as we appreciate them.
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO AFTER YOU GRAD- UATE? Right now, I just accepted an internship with Davey Tree, so I’m planning on doing that this summer. Then I’ll see how that is. I also like public gardening, so I might do that too. There are a lot of different aspects that I’d be happy with.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE NAMED THE KEVIN KEHOE STUDENT LEADER OF THE YEAR? It’s incredible. I don’t think of myself as a leader all the time. When I started going to Michigan State, I feel like I really branched out and got out of my shell. When I became president of the (student horticulture) association, it wasn’t something that I thought I was going to do, but it makes me feel great. TE
National Association of Landscape Professionals 19
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