We connect practitioners across the public and private sectors to cultivate plants, people, and places through education, employment, advocacy, and collaboration.
By uplifting the people who steward our shared environment, we contribute to a more resilient, equitable, and livable city.
We envision a thriving and inclusive horticulture field where skilled, curious, and well-supported professionals can grow and excel.
These professionals play a vital role in caring for the landscapes that shape and enrich everyday life.
At Metro Hort Group, we’re committed to excellence in horticulture and to building a forward-thinking, inclusive, and connected professional community.
We value innovation, continuous learning, equitable relationships, and responsible stewardship of both our landscapes and our profession.
Meeting informally over drinks in 1986, young professionals in New York City horticulture recognized the need for a network of professionals in urban horticulture, and the Metro Hort Group was born.
The three co-founders were Gretchen Ferenz, Larry Lee, and David Murbach.
Informal garden visits and get-togethers took place, with conversations focusing on creating more networking opportunities among this enthusiastic and energetic group.
By July of 1987, a planning board was established to make Metro Hort Group into a formal organization.
In November, the first general membership meeting was hosted by Gretchen Ferenz, commercial horticulture specialist, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, NYC.
Open nominations were held for the first Board of Directors: Gretchen Ferenz, Dave Murbach, Lucy Jones, Anne Trimble, Edwina von Gal, Barbara Britton, Robert Martin, Ron Casey, Richard Schnall, Mary Riley Smith, and Bruce McInnes.
By spring of 1988, Metro Hort Group incorporates as a 501c6.
Since its inception in 1996, Plant-O-Rama has evolved as a major horticultural trade show and symposium.
It has been generously hosted by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Bob Hyland led the event for the first 30 years, creating an event that has truly shaped the New York City horticulture community.
Metro Hort Group has offered monthly meetings, field trips, workshops, mixers, and symposia ever since and remains dedicated to providing vital resources to horticulture and landscape professionals.
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