CORY J WHITMER

I became interested in horticulture at the tender age of about 7. This is when I started working in the family garden, which was about a 1/4 acre. At the time, I had no idea this was foreshadowing of a lifelong passion. In fact, the first 3.5 years of college I was a psychology major with the dream of helping people. After taking Environmental biology 101 at Eastern Illinois University, I knew I wanted to help people in an environmental way. To everyone's disbelief, I walked into my College advisors office and changed my major to Environmental Biology and Botany.

I started professionally in the green industry as an assistant grower in 1991.  I have held multiple positions in this industry like Head Grower, General Manager, Aquatic Manager, and of course Landscape Designer.  I am now the Design Manager for The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center.  I offer guidance to our design team and our clients and truly enjoy sharing my passion of plants with them.  I would call myself a plant geek, always looking for the perfect plant for the perfect place.

I am a Certified Professional though the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA), I also have certification for Illuminology, which is an expert at night lighting.  I also have a pesticide applicators license, which I use when biological means won’t cut it.  I have been blessed to have received both national and local awards for doing the work I love.

My philosophy of life can be summed up best by a quote from one of the smartest businessmen ever; "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young." - Henry Ford