Casey DeField, 2018 Green Mountain High School (GMHS) grad, became the first Career Pathways graduate to enter the pipeline to become an Ag/Ed teacher when she entered Colorado State University this fall. When she started high school, DeField’s goal was to become an attorney. Now her end goal is to return to GMHS to work with her former teacher and mentor, Courtney Mayo, and Principal Colleen Owens to build the program that includes horticulture and landscape classes.

With the ongoing labor shortage, landscape companies have been forced to cancel contracts. Not only are they losing income from contracts lost, but they may be at risk for penalties due to cancellation. Cindy McCord, president and owner of Bloom Floralscapes in Englewood, has taken steps to protect her business.