Plant Science Majors Blossom
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Snapshot A Day In The Life
February 29, 2008 - 12:00amPlant science majors aren’t afraid of the dirt. While most are taking notes in lecture halls, they’re out exploring the earth. These students are required to take classes like plant physiology, ecology and taxonomy, but after that it’s up to them to choose their own paths. With concentrations in everything from horticulture to plant breeding and genetics, students have a variety of options to choose from.
Ben Riccardi ’08 is concentrating in viticulture, as he hopes to someday run a vineyard. He takes classes in vineyard management and grape and wine flavor development. He’s also a part of the Cornell University Viticulture and Enology Club, which organizes wine tasting and grape stomping on the Ag Quad, an homage to the traditional way of crushing grapes to produce wine.
Torben Russo ’09 is mixing his major in plant science with a minor in natural resources so that he can eventually focus on plant conservation.
“Plant science majors can be anything from farmers to biologists to geneticists,” Russo said. “I think we let the degree take us where our interests focus us.”
Popular extracurriculars for these students include Hortus Forum, Cornell’s own horticulture club and work at the Dilmun Hill Student Farm. Others have started their own organizations, like the Cornell Mushroom Club.
“Plant science people are fun to hang out with, pretty eclectic with a lot of different goals,” Riccardi said. “I would venture to say all of us understand the benefits of sustainability so whatever we focus on, we all have our eye on helping the environment.”