Written by guest contributor, Mia Vrchota

This spring semester, the Horticulture Club focused on one main goal: building community. Even though it was my first semester as Secretary, it has been amazing to watch my fellow board members blossom into bright, confident leaders. Everyone brought something valuable and unique to the team, and together we created a supportive, fun space where our plant-loving community could connect and grow. 

One of the biggest highlights of the semester was our Third Annual Spring Plant Fair held on April 5^th during U of I’s Mom’s Weekend. The event featured engaging workshops led by some very lovely U of I professors, booths from our partner organizations, and tons of student-grown plants for sale. We even hosted a community seed-swap event and a plant competition that showcased some of our peers’ stunning greenery. It was a true team effort—with help from both club members and our partners, we were able to offer a wide selection of plants to our community, including perennials, annuals, herb plants, and vegetables. 

In the weeks leading up to the event, our club’s Greenhouse Care Committee worked hard every weekend to get the plants ready. These students carefully grew seedlings, repotted young plants, and kept the greenhouse in good shape by managing pests and creating a healthy environment for growth. Thanks to their dedication, we were able to grow more than 3,800 plants for the plant fair, which was our biggest batch yet!  

Our efforts this spring semester went beyond just the Spring Plant Fair. We were proud to host a variety of engaging and relaxing events to bring our plant-loving community together! We started the semester strong with our Valentine’s Bouquet Lab, which was a huge success. All 60 available spots were filled, and participants enjoyed creating thoughtful bouquets for friends, loved ones, or themselves. Following that, we held our “Grow Your Luck” social, a St. Patrick’s Day–inspired event that gave club members a vibrant, social space to connect. Attendees planted clovers and participated in a friendly round of “Pingo” (A.K.A. plant-bingo), adding a playful twist to our event. To close out the semester, we hosted “Biscuits & Books”, an event focused on creating a calm and welcoming environment during finals season. Students were invited to decorate cookies, unwind, and study together. We welcomed around 25 attendees and were glad to offer a space for relaxation and support.  

We are excited for the year ahead as we continue to welcome new students into our community. With our shared passion and teamwork, we have the power to grow the Horticulture Club even further and create new opportunities for all.