Texas A&M’s Hall receives AHS Great American Gardeners award

Writer: Laura Muntean, 979-847-9211, [email protected]

COLLEGE STATION — The American Horticultural Society, or AHS, is honoring Texas A&M University’s Dr. Charlie Hall as the 2019 recipient of the Great American Gardeners teaching award.

According to the AHS, the award is given to an individual whose ability to share horticultural knowledge with others has contributed to better public understanding of the plant world and its important influence on society. Each recipient has contributed significantly to fields such as plant research, garden communication, landscape design, youth gardening, community greening and teaching.

Hall, professor in the department of horticulture and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M, focuses on production and marketing of green industry crops. His research, teaching and outreach include strategic management, market situation and outlook, cost accounting and financial analysis for green industry firms.

“As faculty, we are often recognized for our research efforts or the impact we had on a particular industry, but it is seldom one is recognized for being a good teacher,” Hall said. “That makes this one special.”

Hall said growing up in the nursery business in North Carolina fueled his passion for plants early in life. Watching others struggle to turn a profit prompted him to explore economics and horticulture at the same time.

Through his teachings, Hall hopes to guide his students’ abilities to reason and exercise critical thinking skills in any situation, he said. His goal is to help everyone see plants as a necessity in life and not just as a luxury that can be set aside during an economic downturn.

Known for his enthusiasm, passion and intensity, Hall is a coveted speaker at regional, national and international gatherings.

“My desire is to cure everyone of ‘plant blindness’ and when I see the proverbial light bulb light up in someone’s eyes, that fuels my passion,” Hall said.

Throughout his career, Hall’s awards have included Texas A&M University’s Association of Former Students’ Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching and Texas A&M’s Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Student Counseling and Relations, plus many national and horticulture industry awards.

Hall also serves as chief economist for AmericanHort, an industry trade association, and as co-chair for Seed Your Future’s advisory council — a movement to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants.

Recipients of the Great American Gardeners Awards will be honored at a ceremony and banquet in June at AHS headquarters in Virginia.