TCC receives $50,000 challenge grant for new horticulture greenhouse

The college’s goal is to raise funds to replace four existing greenhouses that were built in the 1980s. The new structure, with state-of-the-art features and equipment, will enhance TCC’s hands-on approach to horticulture education.

“We are grateful for this challenge grant,” said Lisa Rhine, provost of the Chesapeake Campus. “We are hopeful that it will be a catalyst to help raise additional funds so we can build this new, improved structure.”

An additional grant of $20,000 was given by the Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. The organization is known to support organizations that provide horticulture education.

TCC’s horticulture program began in the early 1980s, with initial plantings adjacent to the then-plentiful cornfields off Cedar Road.

Today, class offerings range from Principles of Horticulture to Greenhouse Crop Production to Chemicals in Horticulture to Arboriculture to Landscape Construction and Maintenance. Students can earn an associate degree or certificate with specialties in plant production, landscape design or landscape maintenance. The program provides a comprehensive background in the science and art of plant cultivation and landscape design and management.

TCC’s horticulture program prepares students for full-time employment in a variety of horticultural businesses, including the green industry, landscape design and management, greenhouse production and management, managerial positions with corporate, commercial and governmental entities, or self-employment.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is southeastern Virginia’s largest grant and scholarship provider. Since its inception in 1950, the regional community foundation and its donors have provided nearly $200 million in grants and scholarships to improve life in southeastern Virginia.

For information on how to support this project, email foundation@tcc.edu.