05/30/2025
Women in Horticulture:
Spotlight - Jessica - Project Coordinator
Can you tell us about your journey into the green industry? What initially sparked your interest in this field?
My journey into the green industry started when I was around 7-8 yrs old. I had many positive influences with working in the green industry, but it was my dad that helped me make the final decision. One hot summer day my dad was mowing the yard, and my mother sent me outside to give him a glass of water. I could see how exhausted he was and as a child I wanted to do more for him than just give him a drink. So, I ran inside the house and drew up a landscape design where there was no longer turf in our yard but instead rows of flowers surrounding our house so he wouldn’t have to mow ever again.
Well, the idea didn’t stick but now I design annual flowers beds for a living, and I couldn’t love my job more.
This spark is what led me to go to the University of Missouri to get a degree in Plant Science with an emphasis in Landscape design and now I work with Columbia Landcare as the Project Coordinator who designs flower beds.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in landscaping, and what motivates you to continue in this field?
What inspired me to pursue this career path were the positive individuals who showed me it was possible. I was fortunate to have people in my life that not only had the experience and knowledge, but the passion.
I also enjoy having the freedom to create flower designs. It is pretty rewarding to see your art creations come to life. Literally, living art.
- What are some of the challenges you've faced as a woman in horticulture, and how have you overcome them?
As a woman in the horticulture industry the biggest challenge would be the work- life balance with having a family. The Best ways to overcome this challenge is to set your boundaries and make sure there is a hard line between work and family life. When I am with my family, I do not answer emails or text messages unless it is an emergency. It can be hard sometimes when you have the weekend with loved ones and see an email go through your phone and then decide not to respond until Monday morning. As well as sometimes you will be at work and then you get a call that’s for a sick kid and then you must find a way to complete your tasks for the day. Luckily, we have a great support team here at Columbia Landcare.
- What advice would you give to other women who are considering a career in horticulture?
Advice I would give to women in a horticulture career is know your value, speak up and assert your expertise. Don’t downplay your knowledge or ideas. If you have the training and experience, own it. Second, build a strong network. Connect with other individuals in the field: Join organizations like your local master gardeners. Find mentors and allies: finding someone who supports your goals and opens doors matters. It is also important to develop a niche or specialty. Whether it’s sustainable landscape design, greenhouse tech, plant pathology, or urban farming, become known for something. Specialization can lead to leadership opportunities and a stronger professional identity. Last, Keep Learning and Evolving, stay on top of emerging trends like regenerative agriculture, precision horticulture, and climate-resilient crops. Take courses, certifications, or conferences to build credibility and confidence.
- Are there any female role models or mentors in the industry who have influenced your career path? If so, how
I was fortunate enough to have two female role models that helped influence my career in the green industry. The first being my Mamaw, who loved being out in the garden. She had a larger vegetable garden where us kids would run around and chase the butterflies. My absolute favorite vegetable that she would grow was the cherry tomato. Us kids would grab the tomatoes right off the plant, rub the dirt off with our sleeves and then pop them in our mouth. I have yet to taste a cherry tomato that tastes as delicious as Mamaw’s straight out of the garden.
The second would be my mother; she was the one that introduced me to the annual and perennial flower world. She loved talking about her own mother’s favorite flowers and the significance of each flower to our family. She would also share the importance steps to care for each flower. Also, I would like to mention that my mother is a master at finding four leaf clovers.
