Caitlin Splawski joins MSU Extension consumer horticulture team in Oakland County

Caitlin Splawski will work with Extension Master Gardeners, home gardeners and other partners in Oakland County and across the state.

Woman standing in front of flowers
Photo by Caitlin Splawski, MSU Extension.

I am excited to join Michigan State University Extension as your new consumer horticulture educator for Oakland County. I’m committed to collaborating with our community in order to create a more beautiful, inclusive and accessible landscape. With extensive experience in the horticulture industry, I hope to be instrumental in connecting volunteers with community partners and projects to improve the green spaces in our county and statewide using science-based information and methods.

As the former trials manager for Walters Gardens perennial breeding company based in Zeeland, Michigan, I’m well-versed in evaluating plant cultivars and have an eye for selecting the best plants for the job. Prior to this role, I managed a garden center at a long-standing community farm in Boston, Massachusetts, and worked with growing and harvesting cut flowers in Columbus, Ohio. Before working in the industry, I studied weed ecology and bee nesting while obtaining my master’s of science degree in horticulture and crop science from The Ohio State University. My undergraduate degrees are in biology and environmental studies from Denison University.

My varied academic and work experience will enable me to address many subject areas as Oakland’s consumer horticulture educator. I will work with the statewide MSU Extension consumer horticulture team to create engaging programming for Extension Master Gardeners and community members. I am looking forward to helping others to engage with gardening and witnessing the positive impact it has on our community.

I am based at the Pontiac, Michigan, MSU Extension office. For more information about MSU Extension educational programs or to Ask Extension a lawn or garden question, visit the Gardening in Michigan website.

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