When Francisco Garcia started attending the College of DuPage, he took general education courses because he was still determining what direction he wanted to take in his career. His instructors let him know about an available student worker position and this was his introduction to the world of landscaping and horticulture.
“Our campus features a greenhouse, orchard, landscape lab, and sustainable urban agriculture lab, so I got to try my hand in everything from landscape construction to plant production to urban farming,” Garcia says. “It’s been the best job I’ve ever had, and being able to enforce what I learn in the classroom into my daily work has been invaluable in developing skills and professional experience.”
He says he quickly realized he could build a life where his work stemmed from his passions, and it’s been a great ride since.
“I wish the general public knew just how many different paths there are to carve out in the realm of landscaping,” Garcia says. “Many people have the idea that it’s just maintenance and installation, but that’s just an inkling of the possibilities.”
Garcia has earned his associate of applied science degree in horticulture along with a floral shop management certificate and permaculture design certificate. He is currently enrolled in a 3+1 program at the College of DuPage, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in horticulture. Afterward, he plans to earn an MBA in agricultural business.
While in college, Garcia also started his own company Chicago St. Sunflower Co., based in Elgin, Illinois, which focuses on sustainable landscapes, market garden produce, and interior plants. He says owning his own business was something he always wanted to do as his family has owned and operated a steel manufacturing business for over 50 years.
“I also figured the sooner I started, the sooner I would be able to work out the kinks and inevitable growing pains of starting a new venture,” Garcia says. “My college network was something I wanted to take advantage of as well. Our instructors are people who work in the industry as their main profession, and my fellow students work in landscape companies as well so having these great sources of information and experience to draw from really made me feel that I had what I needed in order to achieve my goals.”
His long-term vision is to become Elgin’s premier green industry company known for stewardship and sustainability. Garcia’s current business goals include improving his infrastructure and operations.
“The plant production side of things is operated from my family’s 5-acre property in Elgin,” Garcia says. “I’m working on installing perennial gardens, a high tunnel for vegetables and herbs, an orchard space, and other production spaces for nursery plants. In addition to the farm, I have a shop inside a community hub in downtown Elgin. That space features our interior plants, merchandise, and we host floral design workshops and events. The customer shopping experience is something I’m working on improving, as well as other features of the store.”
Currently, his job consists of caring for the plants on the farm and then checking on his downtown store. Once those tasks are done, he’ll start on whatever projects are at hand. He also still has his horticulture assistant position at the College of DuPage.
“My favorite thing about running my business is that every day I get to work on what I’m most passionate about,” Garcia says.
Over his time in the landscape industry, Garcia has discovered there is always something new to learn. He also says you need to make sure your people know they’re appreciated.
“At the end of the day, it’s really about serving your community because they’re the ones who make everything possible,” Garcia says. “A happy life stems from good relationships with great people, so it’s important to be invested in the world around you. Doing things the right way and treating people well has resulted in countless recommendations, referrals, and opportunities for my business.”
Garcia says his biggest mentors have been Brian Clement, Amy Hull, and Marty Bartz. They are the ones who inspired him to become Horticulture Club president and made him aware of the different volunteer opportunities. He serves on the city of Elgin’s Sustainability Commission, the Conservation’s Foundation’s Next Gen. Council and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association Urban Ag. Network.
“Volunteering has been important to me because it allows me to be active in my community and help create the changes I wish to see in the world,” Garcia says. “My role as an Elgin Sustainability Commissioner gives me the chance to work on things like our Climate Action Plan, dam removal, and make recommendations for the city’s landscape initiatives.
He has also been a student ambassador for NALP, which he says has been one of the best experiences of his college career.
Garcia says one thing he’d like to see change in the industry is more involvement from companies in NALP and their state associations, as there’s a lot to learn from each other.
“Once you decide what you want to do, get involved in any way possible,” Garcia says. “Whether it’s working jobs, volunteering, or participating in industry events, there’s value in all of it.”
This article was published in the Sept/Oct issue of the magazine. To read more stories from The Edge magazine, click here to subscribe to the digital edition.
