Real World Learning

'Golden Opportunity' for Plant Science Major

John Bennett, an incoming fourth-year plant science student this fall, has been named a 2012 Golden Opportunities Scholar, one of just 20 students nationwide to receive the honor by leading plant science organizations.

Hot Stuff: Eat At Your Own Risk

The ghost pepper is one of the world’s hottest peppers, and they’re growing in the hydroponics greenhouse at Cal Poly Pomona.

Fresh Produce Year-Round at Hydroponics Lab

Locally grown produce such as vine-ripened tomatoes is available all year long from the AGRIscapes greenhouse.

Ag Students in Top 10 at National Turf Bowl

A team of plant sciences students placed sixth in the annual Collegiate Turf Bowl, held at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Education Conference and the Golf Industry Show. This year, the conference was held in February in Orlando, Fla. The competition consists of a multiple choice exam and written essay, with subject matter ranging from plant physiology to human resource management.

CPP Team Shines in Turf and Landscape Competition

A multidisciplinary team of students placed 12th out of 60 schools in the national PLANET Student Career Days competition.

Student Partnership Honored in Culinary Garden Project

Two recent Cal Poly Pomona graduates have received a national award for the design and installation of the culinary garden at The Collins College of Hospitality Management. The garden provides fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit for dishes used at The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch.

Bumper Crop for Horsehill Vineyards

Horsehill Vineyards harvested a record crop of grapes that will produce more than 7,000 bottles of zinfandel rose and red zinfandel. Each season, students and faculty are gaining more experience in vineyards and cultivating grapes, says Professor Dan Hostetler, chair of the plant sciences department. Horsehill Vineyards wines is a collaborative project involving the College of Agriculture and The Collins College of Hospitality Management.

Broncos Among Top 10 in Turf Bowl

Each year, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) hosts the Turf Bowl intercollegiate competition, a comprehensive test focusing on all aspects of the superintendent profession. Three Cal Poly Pomona teams participated in the 2010 Turf Bowl competition in San Diego, competing against 67 teams from 31 universities.

Ag Student Selected to Attend USDA Forum

Plant sciences student Miguel Macias has been selected to attend USDA's 2010 Agricultural Outlook Forum, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced. He is among 22 university students majoring in agricultural-related studies who were chosen based on their essays, "Agriculture as a Career," and recommendations from their deans.

Jalapeño Project Produces Sweet and Heat

Three plant science students are growing 22,000 jalapeño plants at Spadra Ranch and expect to reap around 265,000 peppers.

Campus Hosts National Landscape and Lawn Care Competition

The College of Agriculture hosted a three-day competition for 770 students from around the country. Students pit their green skills against one another in 26 different turf and landscape events, including tree climbing, wood construction, irrigation assembly, skid steer operation and plant identification. In its 33rd year, the competition is organized by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), a lawn and landscape association.