Stephen F. Austin State University’s horticulture program will host an inaugural plant fair and open house from 5 to 8 p.m. May 3 and 10 a.m. to noon May 4 at the SFA Plantery, located at 1924 Wilson Drive. The event will feature family friendly activities, including plant identification and tea tasting. Pictured, junior horticulture major Jevon Richeson waters plants in the SFA Plantery.
The event will feature plants for purchase and educational activities, as well as information regarding how to grow your plants.
“Attendees will experience the floral aromas and vibrant colors of flowers in full bloom at the nursery, greenhouse and garden,” said Stephanie Stevens, a senior mass communication major.
The plant fair is family friendly and will include a photo booth and plant identification, planting, and tea-tasting stations.
“The event’s purpose is to showcase our horticulture program and help attendees cultivate a love for plants,” said Dr. Jared Barnes, assistant professor of horticulture at SFA. “We want to show off our student’s hard work in the greenhouses, as well as all of the opportunities offered through SFA’s agriculture department.”
Plants available for purchase include edibles, such as tomatoes, lettuce and basil, as well as summer annuals, including vinca, zinnia and angelonia. All proceeds support future educational projects in the SFA horticulture program and Horticulture Club.
In addition to this event, Barnes said the horticulture program offers garden volunteer opportunities for the community and work-study opportunities for SFA students. Fresh, student-grown, chemical-free produce also is sold at the SFA Plantery every Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We’d love to help answer any gardening questions guests have and hope this event inspires a love for the Earth and everything on it,” Barnes added.
For more information, contact Barnes at (936) 468-7850 or barnesj@sfasu.edu. The community also may learn more about the horticulture program by visiting HorticultureIsAwesome.com/the-plantery or following @SfaHorticulture on Instagram.
