York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) will create a major in environmental horticulture with a multimillion-dollar commitment from the Powder Mill Foundation, established by the late Louis J. Appell Jr. With a focus on environmental sustainability, the Appell Environmental Horticulture Program will include hands-on learning opportunities at Millbourne, Appell's 50-acre private estate in York. Students may choose the environmental horticulture major beginning in the fall.

This gift represents Louis Appell's love of gardening as well as his commitment to York College. The gift will fund construction of new laboratory and greenhouse facilities on the York College campus, the hiring of faculty with expertise needed to teach in the program, and new equipment and supplies. A key asset to the Appell Environmental Horticulture Program is the Millbourne estate, where ornamental horticulture is showcased and where important components of the new major will be taught.

Students will choose from two areas of concentration: one oriented to ornamental plants and landscaping, the other centered on food plants and their use around the globe. Food production in urban environments will be an important component, linking the major to York city endeavors for food security.

York College's core curriculum will allow students to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to manage fruit, vegetable, nursery, and/or greenhouse production systems. Students will acquire knowledge and experience in the key areas of ecology, economic botany and taxonomy, soil science and plant nutrition, plant propagation, pest management, landscaping, economics, and business.

Students will graduate with a strong scientific base linked to marketing and business-management skills that they can apply to niche markets. The environmental horticulture major is rooted in plant science and growing plants for food and landscaping purposes. York College's program will allow students to understand and influence the production of food and ornamental plants with a global perspective of their use and how they impact global environmental phenomena.

This gift is part of York College's comprehensive campaign, EVOLVE: The Campaign for York College, which launched publicly on Oct. 1, 2020. To learn more, readers may visit http://evolve.ycp.edu.