MEET A GROW STAFF MEMBER: Sarah Rafols
Here we introduce our valuable GROW staff who brings Landscape Ontario’s GROW Training Programs to you.
Sarah Rafols
What is your role in the GROW Program?
Lead Technical Trainer for the GROW New Entrant Training Program
What do you like most about your role?
Introducing the world of horticulture to GROW participants & connecting folks to opportunities and resources that could support their learning and jump-start their careers.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy being in nature, whether it’s through walking, hiking, cycling or camping. I also volunteer in local environmental/horticultural/urban agriculture initiatives and groups in Toronto, such as the High Park Nature Centre, Cedarvale Community Garden, and The Horticultural Societies of Parkdale & Toronto.
What is your favourite plant?
This is the hardest question for a horticulturist, so I’m going to go with one of my favourite trees: Eastern White Pine/biisaandago-zhingwaak (Pinus strobus). Not only is it steeped in history, but it’s also a super-canopy tree that can grow up to 80 to 100 feet! I love finding it standing proud and tall above the rest of the Ontario forest line. In built landscapes, it provides native history, alternate colour & texture, and year-round interest.