Mike Hoekstra’s research at Niagara College brings students to the forefront of the field in the horticulture industry.

Hoekstra, coordinator of the college’s Landscape Technician (Co-op) program, works directly with student research assistants at the college, who in turn work directly with industry partners.

Students working with Hoekstra gain valuable work experience in areas including prototype testing and evaluation and field monitoring. One project has students toiling in the fields of the college’s beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, testing the effectiveness a slow-release bag that automatically waters trees and flowers.

Not only are the students learning on the job, adding to their academic profile, but they are also helping grow and innovate their industry of choice, through more efficient and effective products and processes. The benefits to students are endless and that’s what makes applied research so worthwhile for Hoekstra.

Hoekstra, coordinator of the college’s Landscape Technician (Co-op) program, helps facilitate other research projects in the school’s Horticulture division, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience in the horticulture industry.