Horticulture Program Timeline:
1991 – University of Minnesota-Waseca ends its horticulture program.
1992 – Rochester Community and Technical College introduces Horticulture Technology program, using instructional lab space in a remodeled culinary arts kitchen.
1994 – Students and staff build a hoop house, a 1,000 sq. ft. temporary greenhouse, for growing plants. The project takes a month to complete.
2000 – RCTC’s $4.5 million request for a horticulture center is approved by the state legislature.
2001 – In June, ground is broken on the project.
2002 – In August, horticulture students began classes in the facility.
The new RCTC Heintz Center Horticulture Technology Center (completed fall 2002) includes:
- 11,200+ sq. ft. of classroom/lab space (compared with 3,050 sq. ft. previously)
- 4,800 + sq. ft. of greenhouse space (compared with 1,000 sq. ft. previously)
- 7,450 + sq. ft. of remodeled staff/resource space