SW New Mexico News

The New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences’ floral team offers more than just floral design skills to its students. The program emphasizes creativity, teamwork, and leadership to prepare students for their professional careers.

“It is not just about the flowers, but the other aspects that it teaches you,” said Monica Taylor, a former member of the floral team.

Initiated in the 1980s and reestablished in 2003 under Sabine Green, floriculture program coordinator, the floral team provides educational opportunities through coursework and competitions at regional and national levels.

“In the program, we do layer sources of education of design, greenhouse growing and we have a marketing aspect and a human resources aspect which include scheduling fundraisers,” Green explained. “We also do a lot of networking with industries that include textile marketing, technology and business management. All of it together creates a finished product so our students have experience of a multitude of different things.”

The team has been eligible for national competition for only four years but secured first place in both national and regional competitions in July 2023. This summer, five members will compete nationally at the American Institute of Floral Designers annual symposium in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, one member will compete regionally at the West Texas-New Mexico Floral Design convention in Lubbock, Texas.

Taylor served as secretary, treasurer, and president during her eight years on the team. She now applies those skills as political director for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.

“It is one of the best floral design teams in the country and they prove it every time they go to competitions," Taylor stated. "It was a great experience in teamwork, leadership and time management."

Green noted that many alumni continue to support the team financially. Taylor remains involved as a sponsor and maintains her friendship with Green.

“The relationships last,” Green remarked. “I love it.”

Amador Gonzales competed in NMSU’s first national competition in 2019 while serving as secretary for three years. He credits his experience on the team with benefiting his career as an agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Grants High School in Grants, New Mexico.

“What was great about the floral competition was we were given freedom to express ourselves creatively while also following industry standards,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales regularly communicates with Green due to her role as superintendent for FFA floriculture competitions.

“It was very enlightening and a great opportunity to learn skills that I teach here in Grants,” he said. “Several students join my classes because they want to learn how to be creative.”

He believes that floral design offers therapeutic benefits: “Giving them that outlet is something I am excited to share with my students.”

A version of this story appeared in Panorama's spring 2024 issue.

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CUTLINE: Cristina Benitez creates a Thanksgiving centerpiece during an NMSU floral team work session. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)

CUTLINE: Sabrina Montoya (left) and Sabine Green make Thanksgiving centerpieces; NMSU’s floral team was reestablished when Green became faculty adviser in 2003. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)

CUTLINE: Sabrina Montoya accesses flowers during a work session; NMSU’s floral team earned first-place finishes at both national and regional competitions in July 2023. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)