KPU Horticulture Club returns to Langley campus
The club is looking for new members from all programs
The Horticulture Club celebrates Halloween with a pumpkin-carving contest in October 2022. (Submitted/Jamie Lamont)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Horticulture Club returns to the Langley campus after an extended hiatus fueled by virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The club’s revival comes with new leadership, including a new president and two vice presidents. Members elected Justice Bentayen to replace Kate Mannings as club president, and Kaillym Swap and Sharmin Malik as vice presidents.
The Horticulture Club brings together science and horticulture students for social and learning opportunities in their fields. It also provides student collaboration and peer support outside of the classroom, in a more relaxed environment.
Instructors Jamie Lamont and Maria Valana oversee the club. Lamont, a graduate of KPU’s diploma in horticulture technology, participated in the club more than 20 years ago and says it’s as important as ever.
“In horticulture, our average age is about 24, so social experiences [in] post secondary education [and] the opportunity to network in industry during school is very important,” Lamont says.
The club celebrated Halloween with a pumpkin-carving contest in October, their first event in three years.
“That was probably the most successful social event. We started around mid-day, and I had the classroom booked from three o’clock to seven o’clock. At seven, the students didn’t want to leave,” he says.
On March 25, the Horticulture Club partnered with the Langley Environmental Partners Society for Seedy Saturday, an annual event allowing community members to buy and trade seeds with one another.
About 250 people turned out for the afternoon of workshops and trading despite heavy rain the day of the event.
On May 13, they participated in the Science Rendezvous at the Langley Campus. Members led hands-on activities for all ages focused on making science fun and accessible. Malik led a plant identification game to familiarize kids with the scientific names of plants. They encouraged kids to engage with horticulture by touching and smelling the plants.
Malik says she has found friendships and community within the club. It provides a break from her studies twice a month, where she can connect with people interested in similar things.
“The club is an opportunity to meet people, learn about their programs, their future goals and careers,” Malik says. “Because I’m a student, I don’t get a lot of time anymore to go out and spend time with friends and pupils. Hort Club gives me that opportunity to socialize and have fun.”
Although they’re inactive this summer, the Horticulture Club has already begun planning future events. They plan to host a DIY terrarium event in the fall, where students get the opportunity to build their own terrarium using glass jars, mosses, and small plants.
Malik hopes that as the club continues increasing in membership, they will be able to collaborate with the broader KPU community.
Lamont and Valana received over 30 responses from students after they first advertised the horticulture club. With only about 10 active members currently, they’re hopeful the new interest translates into prosperity for the club.
“The response was almost overwhelming, which I think was pretty cool. I think it was indicative of this desire to hang out, be together again and get out from behind our computers,” Lamont says.
The Horticulture Club welcomes students from all faculties, regardless of their experience. Students interested in joining can email jamielamont@kpu.ca.
