Earlier this year, students in the BIO 322L Botany course at Barry University visited Costa Farms, one of the world’s largest horticulture growers. Led by Dr. Flona Redway, the experience offered students an early and impactful opportunity to connect foundational plant science concepts with real-world applications.

For many students, this trip came at a pivotal point in their academic journey. As one of the chances in the biology curriculum to deeply engage with plant science, the visit was designed to bridge theory and practice. By observing large-scale plant production firsthand, students were able to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.

Throughout the visit, students explored the complexities of plant cultivation and gained insight into the level of care, planning, and scientific precision required to grow and maintain healthy plants at scale. They also had the chance to learn about professional pathways in the field, including paid summer internships at Costa Farms and opportunities through the CRAFT Scholar Program. The trip was supported in part by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s NEXTGEN program (award 2023-70440-40161).

The impact of the experience was evident in students’ reflections. One student shared, “The visit affected me on a personal level because I never knew how much thought and preparation went into growing plants. I really loved seeing people still caring about nature’s life and taking such great care of it.” Another student noted how the trip deepened their academic understanding: “I learned how plant structure connects directly to function, especially in water conservation and pollinator attraction.”

For others, the experience made classroom concepts feel tangible. “Seeing dicot characteristics in person reinforced my understanding of plant structure and made the material feel much more concrete and applicable,” one student explained. Another added, “Seeing large-scale plant production firsthand deepened my appreciation for plant biology. The experience reminded me why I love studying biology.”

A memorable aspect of the visit for Dr. Redway was hearing students naturally incorporate botany vocabulary into their observations which demonstrated not only comprehension but genuine engagement during this experiential learning opportunity.