Colorado State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is hosting a series of mixers – “Come to the Table with HLA” – to promote Colorado’s horticulture and landscape industry. The four events will feature opportunities to learn more about the department’s teaching, research and outreach activities, networking, and local food and drinks.
April and September events will be hosted on campus in Fort Collins with a focus on undergraduate and graduate programs and will include interaction with faculty from other academic units on campus. Summer events will be held at Design by Sundown event space in Littleton and Green Valley Sod Farm in Platteville and will focus on building stakeholder and alumni relationships.
Since starting in her role in July 2022, new HLA Department Head Mengmeng Gu has been touring the state to meet stakeholders and learn more about Colorado agriculture.
“The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is very unique in the diversity of stakeholders we represent. We partner with and support Colorado’s $2 billion green industry, which includes floriculture, the $209 million potato industry, the viticulture and wine industries, and the $300 million fruit and vegetable industry, which includes Colorado’s popular Palisade Peaches and Rocky Ford Melons,” says Gu. “It’s no secret that the pandemic disconnected us in certain ways. We hope to re-engage with our stakeholders, our faculty and staff, our students, and the CSU community through these events.”
The first Come to the Table event will be held on Friday, April 21, from 4-6 p.m. in the Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building. Attendees can explore undergraduate and graduate degree programs within the HLA Department and tour the Nutrien Agricultural Sciences building while enjoying food and fellowship with current faculty, staff, and students. Food will be provided by the CSU Meat Judging Team and Folks Farm, and wine tasting for 21+ will be provided by Blanchard Winery.
Source: agsci.source.colostate.edu