By: Taylor Cammack, Extension Instructor
Hello! I’m Taylor Cammack, the new Horticulture, Landscape, & Environmental Systems (HLES) Extension Instructor.
I am based out of the Platte County office in Columbus and I serve Antelope, Boone, Butler, Cedar, Colfax, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Pierce, Platte, and Polk counties.
I grew up on a family farm in DeWitt, NE, and I’m a former 4-H member in Gage County. My initial interest in horticulture came from helping my grandmother with her landscape. When I wasn’t helping my dad with chores, I would be helping her move mulch and pull weeds.
I graduated with a degree in Plant and Landscape Systems from UNL in 2023. My option was Landscape Design and Management, where I focused on understanding installation and management of landscapes as a system. My time at UNL also helped foster my love of all things plant-related!
After graduation, I completed a one-year internship with the US National Herb Garden in Washington, D.C. There I received a crash course on gardening with herbal plants, working with volunteers, and interacting with visitors about herbal history and usage. The Herb Garden is a public garden funded by the Herb Society of America. Home to a large variety of herbal plants, the garden is divided into three ‘rooms’: the Knot Garden, Rose Garden, and Themed Beds. The Herb Garden is housed on the grounds of the US National Arboretum. This is a USDA – ARS research facility and public garden. The National Arboretum’s main mission is to conserve genetic resources of woody landscape/ornamental plants, conduct long-term, multidisciplinary research, and manage interpretive gardens and exhibits.
Once my internship was complete, I worked with Nebraska Nursery & Color Gardens in Lincoln, NE. In my role as Design Assistant, I helped the in-house designers, retail shoppers, with commercial projects, and everything in between. I am also a Certified Arborist with the Nebraska Arborist Association.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. I’m a proud aunt to two nephews as well.
I’m very excited to be part of Nebraska Extension and ready to start serving the Nebraskans of my region. I am available to create and present programs about landscaping, trees, herbs and other topics. If you have any questions or would like to collaborate on horticulture programs, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the Platte County office (402) 563-4901, or email me at tcammack7@unl.edu. Happy Holidays!