OGIA SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT

BY SARA CANTEES

Regan Draeger’s passion for horticulture started at a young age on her family’s small farm in Lindsey, Ohio. She was always curious about the proper conditions required to grow crops and produce food. As she grew up, she discovered her skill for floral design and joined the Woodmore FFA floriculture team in eighth grade. This led her to start her own wedding design business and intern at Corso’s Landscape, where she discovered her true passion for landscape design.

Regan’s dedication to horticulture led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Plant Systems with a specialization in horticulture and a minor in production/ management from The Ohio State University. During her time at Ohio State, she participated in the Pi Alpha Xi horticultural honors society and served as a CFAES Ambassador. She will be continuing her academic journey by pursuing a Master’s degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication at the University of Tennessee this fall.

Aside from her academic pursuits, Regan finds joy in creating beauty through art and floral design. She has taken on many art and floral design projects in open classes through 4-H at the Sandusky County Fair. She believes that there’s beauty in helping others and has dedicated most of her time to doing just that. Horticulture provides Regan an avenue to give back to others and make a difference in the world.

Regan’s first job in the horticulture industry was at Bench’s Greenhouse and Nursery in Elmore, Ohio, where she was responsible for creating sale displays, assisting customers with questions, and maintaining plant health. Although she enjoyed working directly with plants, she sought a position that involved more design. Through her involvement in the greenhouse and floral design aspects of the horticultural industry, Regan discovered her true passion for landscape design.

Recently, Regan began an internship at Corso’s Landscape in Sandusky, Ohio, where she works within the landscape design department. She is excited to return to Corso’s this spring, where she will be taking over and expanding the annual commercial container department and continuing as a landscape designer. Regan hopes to become an active contributor in this industry by developing landscapes that push design boundaries and are sustainable for the environment.

Regan’s greatest mentor is her grandfather, Ron Timmons, who always made time for the most important people in his life and worked to make a difference everywhere he went. She aspires to be like him and make a positive impact on the world around her.

Regan strongly encourages the next generation to pursue careers as green professionals. She believes that the industry provides an abundance of opportunities and avenues to pursue one’s true passion. It’s a career that allows individuals to make a difference and leaves a lasting impact on the environment.