Associate Professor and Extension Specialist – Woody Ornamental Horticulture
Laura has been a member of the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Horticulture and the Wisconsin State Extension Specialist of Woody Ornamental Horticulture since 1998. She currently teaches Identification and Culture of Woody Landscape Plants, Arboriculture and Landscape Maintenance, and Plant Propagation, and will teach an Italian study abroad course in 2013. She is the faculty advisor for the undergraduate UW-Madison Horticulture Club and numerous undergraduate students.
Laura’s extension responsibilities include serving Wisconsin’s Green Industry, providing direction for statewide proactive programs, supporting county extension agents in implementing and evaluating programs, and advanced Master Gardener training. Her research interests are diverse and include woody plant evaluation, tolerance of ornamentals to urban conditions, best management practices in nursery production, plant propagation, and invasive species. Laura is also a member of numerous professional organizations, which span international and state boundaries and has served as educational advisor to several Wisconsin Green Industry associations.
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 1992-1998. Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Horticultural Science. Teaching assistant for Plant Propagation (HS 301) and (HS 021, 2-year degree program), Ornamental Plants I (HS 211), Ornamental Plants II (HS 212), Nursery Management (HS 411) and (HS 051, 2-year degree program), and Physiology of Landscape Plants (HS 531). Prepared extensive computer database reference for all plants covered in HS 211 and 212.
The J.C. Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State University, Raleigh, NC. 1997. Horticulture Technician. Summer employee responsible for maintenance of the grounds and containerized plant materials and propagation of plants for arboretum’s annual plant distribution programs. Assisted in design preparation and operation of arboretum trade show booth for both the Southern Nurserymen’s Association and N.C. Association of Nurserymen Trade Shows.
Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI. 1991. Horticulture Instructor, Department of Horticulture. Temporary one-semester position teaching two courses in woody plant identification and greenhouse management.
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 1989-1991. Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Horticulture. Teaching assistant for Landscape Plants I (HRT 211), Landscape Plants II (HRT 212), and Foliage Plant Identification (HRT 209).
Grass Roots, Lansing, MI. 1991. Landscape Maintenance Technician. Responsible for maintaining landscapes and lawns, pruning trees and shrubs, and applying herbicides.
Beaumont Nursery at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 1991. Plant Propagator and Labeler. Part-time position propagating woody plants and labeling campus plantings.
Campus Park and Planning at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 1990. Field Identification Specialist. Responsible for identifying woody plants for a campus mapping project.
Lawnscape Associates, Wixom, MI. 1987. Landscape Maintenance Technician. Responsible for installing annual beds, maintaining landscapes, pruning shrubs, and applying herbicides.
Skandia Interiorscape, Livonia, MI. 1986-1988. Interior Plant Technician. Responsible for maintenance of interior foliage and flowering plants at local commercial businesses.
Landscape Contractors, West Bloomfield, MI. 1986. Landscaper and Pesticide Applicator. Installed landscapes and flower beds, and applied pesticides.
English Gardens, West Bloomfield, MI. 1985-1986. Interior Garden Center Salesperson. Responsible for maintenance, sales, and pricing of interior foliage and flowering plants.