LEARNING BY DOING

Ross Denton, son of KEITH DENTON, is a senior in horticulture at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. This past summer Ross worked as an intern to learn about greenhouse production. Ross explained he worked for Johnson Greenhouses at Red Oak, IA where they operate throughout the year, growing mainly seasonal flowering plants such as mums, geraniums, lilies, and poinsettias. According to Ross he was one of over a hundred workers tending to over 12 acres of greenhouses. While there Ross noted he worked at many tasks to gain an understanding and appreciation of greenhouse operations. Some tasks were highly automated, but many were better done by hand. Greenhouse management is more than growing plants in the right way and at the right time, Ross commented. There is a lot of personnel management needed to keep the production running efficiently. Ross indicated he is interested in greenhouse production when he graduates next year.