UNH COLSA: MacFarlane Greenhouse Open House


I’ve been working in the UNH Facilities department for 10 years now. I knew I wanted to work for UNH for the tuition benefit of taking free classes, but over time I’ve found myself continually impressed by what’s going on around campus. On April 18th, 2026 I attended an open house at the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA) Greenhouse and loved my school a little more.

I enjoy seeing older adults at campus events, especially when they bring kids along. Whether they’re master gardeners, retired faculty, or grandparents with a curious little one, it’s great to see intergenerational interest in science and plants. Those moments feel like the exact kind of encouragement we want for kids to get excited about STEM.

The Agriculture program here is really thinking ahead about practical problems, like helping local farmers adapt to climate change by trying different or modified crops. Woodman Farm has been adding refrigeration units to figure out how to best move produce from farm to table.


A couple of years back I checked out an open house at Woodman Farm and learned about the campus strawberry project. Strawberries are super photogenic and the varieties grown both at the farm and in the greenhouse show off lots of flower colors. It’s one of those small things that makes a greenhouse visit enjoyable: pretty plants plus the science behind them.

During Homecoming last fall I attended the “Taste of COLSA” presentation and saw the Curcurbit program up close. They’re working with squash, pumpkins, melons, and cucumbers and trying interesting techniques including encouraging vertical growth with hammocks to support heavy fruit.

In another greenhouse there was a room full of zinnias that really caught my eye. I later read that Johny’s Select Seeds is partnering with COLSA to co-locate plant development work in the greenhouses. In that zinnia room some flowers looked like they were wearing tiny hats, mesh bags because they had been hand-pollinated. So cool!

Elsewhere I noticed small succulent pots to give to the kids on tours, larger mixed succulent planters used as door prizes, and a shelf of Pimpernel plants labeled “wildcat blue” — a cultivar originally bred right in the UNH greenhouses. They were handed out to visitors, and I couldn’t help hoping folks would be gentle with their new plants (I won’t lie, I’ve killed my fair share of houseplants).

The lobby had a children’s table with the usual fun stuff — coloring pages, stickers, temporary tattoos — and an activity tied to research participation. I didn’t dive into that part personally, but the kids seemed engaged and curious, which is the whole point.

There were also creative touches around the building that I appreciated: first-year sculpture students in Fine Arts build giant cardboard masks as a project that culminates in a parade, and I’ve been seeing those cardboard sculptures and murals cropping up here and there. They add a playful, human element that pairs nicely with the science displays.

All in all, the greenhouse open house felt welcoming, educational, and a little bit whimsical. It reminded me why it’s worth sticking around campus — the mix of practical research, community outreach, and creative expression keeps things interesting.

So, until next time, Go capture some memories, leave the trail better than you found it, and don't forget to take off the lens cap! - Kate 


Did you find your way here after a hike where Kate was the volunteer photographer? Perhaps you've enjoyed her images or seen her byline on one of many environmental websites. Kate is a naturalist and largely self-taught photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty and urgency of the natural world. Having photographed hundreds of environmental events for nonprofit organizations—entirely self-funded—she is now asking for your help to upgrade her equipment. Your support will allow her to continue providing high-quality, impactful images that support conservation efforts. Ways you can help:

Share this campaign with friends, family, and nature lovers at GoFundMe. https://gofund.me/4cff87b7e

Follow Kate on social media to see the journey unfold at https://hodgepodgeimages.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-hodgepodge-images-project.html

Connect Kate with organizations that might benefit from my photography. You can check out the HodgePodgeImages Portfolio website at https://HodgePodgeImages.com

Thanks!

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