TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCE
CU LT IVAT ING
TH E N E X T GEN ERAT IO N
OF FARMERS
Saul Rico is from Mexico, where his family owns a farm where they grow corn and pomegranates. Wanting to learn about growing more vegetables, Rico came to study abroad in the United States. With family in Lake County, he chose to study horticulture at CLC starting at the beginning of 2022. He is also a student worker at the Grayslake Campus Farm. For CLC students like Rico, working on the Campus Farm is a great way to get hands-on experience and serve the community. The horticulture program hosts public events such as the college’s own farm market and seasonal plant sales. Annually, the farm produces nearly 25,000 pounds of produce.
Melanie Bromberek, who began her job as the horticulture lab coordinator last October, is excited to be working her first growing season. She previously worked on numerous farms for the Chicago Botanic Gardens and this year she gets to put all her focus on one. CLC’s farm market offers a diverse array of food that can be bought by those at CLC or in the community. This diversity helps to teach students about all the produce that can grow in Lake County. The market sells mostly vegetables but Bromberek hopes to include even more fruits this year.
Saul Rico (left) with Melanie Bromberek
10
CLC CONNECTS
