Upperman High School partnering with Haller Landscaping to create additional pathways for students interested in agriculture careers.
Putnam Schools CTE Supervisor Jackie Vester said the company reached out to her to establish a partnership. Vester said the collaboration aims to provide students with real-world experience and education.
“One of the issues in his business and the industry as a whole is finding employees and we hear that across the board in some of our, uh, different industry areas,” Vester said. “And so we are trying to help combat that by connecting students with careers.”
Vester said Haller has set up an apprenticeship program with the state of Tennessee to introduce agriculture into high school programs. She said this allows students in the horticulture pathway to take a unique class, Landscape and Turf Science. Vester also said students will not only collaborate on projects with Haller but benefit from guest lectures.
“Their senior year will be able to take landscape and turf science, which is the level four class for that program of study,” Vester said. “And in that class, their also going to focus on building a relationship with Haller Landscaping through working on projects together.”
President Patrick Haller said for every two thousand hours worked in the field, he is required to provide one hundred and forty-four hours of classroom instruction. As a former adjunct professor at Tennessee Tech, Haller said his excitement is in speaking with students.
Haller said the partnership allows a pathway for students who are looking at other options besides a four year college.
“And I think trades, which I consider ourselves a trade, are a growing sector of our economy and there is a major need and a shortage in this industry for people willing to work,” Haller said. “And I’m willing to train them to do what we need them to do.”
