Lockerly Arboretum welcomed Carter Payne onto its full-time staff earlier this month as its horticulturist.
Payne grew up in Western North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounded by a lush landscape with a large ecosystem to discover, plants piqued his interests at a young age.
“I attribute my interest in plants to the vibrant landscape I grew up in,” said Payne. “The biodiversity of the area really intrigued me, though I didn’t get into the horticulture side until I joined the Botany Club in high school.”
Botany refers to the scientific study of plants. While in the club, Payne researched and learned about a variety of plants. He participated in activities such as seed-starting and vegetative propagation, which only fueled his interests.
When he graduated, Payne moved to Milledgeville and commuted to Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin. He recently graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Environmental Horticulture.
“College was where my interest really grew and I decided to pursue horticulture as a future career,” said Payne. “My classes were held in-person and typically included both a lecture and a hands-on portion. We participated in field trips to various sites, including nurseries, small farms, the local community garden, and the University of Georgia Griffin campus.”
Southern Crescent’s program prepares students for jobs in the “green industry” including landscape design and installation, floral design, grounds management, lawn care, nursery and greenhouse operations, pest management, and irrigation, according to its website. The program offers various electives to deepen specialized knowledge like greenhouse management, soils, plant production and propagation, and more. In addition, it offers opportunities for internships to encourage students to have an active learning experience.
“I began as a volunteer at Lockerly Arboretum in 2023 while in college, which transitioned into an internship through my program,” said Payne. “As a volunteer I was part of the dirt digger volunteer group, so we planted, assisted with maintaining the plants, and other tasks such as mulching. When I began working part-time, I began working alongside our grounds manager to complete general maintenance and as a full-time employee that role essentially expanded. There are more assets to the position, but maintenance and care of the plants is the core of it.”
Payne stated he also plans to get involved with the educational aspect of Lockerly. Educational programs will include workshops, lectures, and other events.
“I’m most excited about the impact I can make improving the grounds and maintaining Lockerly for the community,” said Payne. “Lockerly is very special to the community. It’s a gift. It’s a beautiful, giving place to work and there’s a great team here ensuring it stays welcoming to our community.”
To learn more about Lockerly Arboretum or Payne, visit lockerly.org.