UMN Crookston horticulture students earn first place at collegiate conference

University of Minnesota Crookston horticulture students recently competed in the Mid-America Collegiate Horticultural Society (MACHS) 2025 Conference held at the University of Wisconsin River Falls (UWRF) and earned first place overall in the competition, plus excelled in several individual categories including general knowledge and plant identification. UMN Crookston student participants included Emily Dittmer, Marie Wald, Sophie Morris, Brooklyn Jensen, and Devin Messina, and were accompanied by Lab Services Coordinator and Club Advisor Theresa Helgeson and Horticulture Lecturer Sarah Benevenute, Ph.D.

This year's event included participants from Iowa State University, Missouri State University, and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), with any two-year or four-year collegiate horticulture organization in the midwest, including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, invited to join.

"Theresa and I have been working with them as they studied and practiced for the competition, and it was truly rewarding to see their hard work pay off," shared Beneveute. "They truly deserve the recognition!"

The Mid-America Collegiate Horticultural Society is an organization comprised of university-affiliated horticulture clubs across the midwest, and was created to promote an awareness of the profession of Horticulture, to create a medium of communication for Horticultural students, and to exchange club and professional ideas. Every fall, one school is selected to host the annual meeting. Along with the meeting, the clubs celebrate their passion for horticulture through a contest, and industry tours.

About UMN Crookston's Horticulture Program

UMN Crookston's horticulture program combines science-based education, liberal arts education, and technical training. As part of the program requirements, all horticulture students are introduced to botany, woody plants, entomology, plant pathology, and soil science. After completing the program, graduates will:

Be able to identify plant species, diseases, pests, and disorders of horticultural plants.
Understand the use of horticultural plants for aesthetic improvement and sustainability of the environment. After completing the program, graduates will be able to:

• Apply principles of plant science, nutrition, soils, and pest management, and exhibit an awareness of environmental health and safety issues.
• Develop communication skills, the ability to make sound decisions, and willingness to work as part of a team in providing leadership and accountability.
• Use computer technology to communicate, manage, and enhance business operations effectively.

Learn more about UMN Crookston's horticulture program at https://crk.umn.edu/academics/horticulture.

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