RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The award of a $1,000 scholarship to a horticultural student pursuing a second career and a presentation about the wonder of roses were the highlights when the River Valley Garden Club met on April 22 at the RMA Building.

(See the separate story about raising roses in this issue.)

The scholarship winner was Michael Wood, a full-time student studying horticulture at American River College and Farm to Fork at Cosumnes River College.

Club Vice-President Margaret Watson-Hopkins presented the check to Wood. She said the club’s ability to award scholarships to horticulture students like Wood is why it holds fundraisers like the upcoming Garden Stroll and Plant Sale on May 10.

“It’s so we can give back,” she explained.

Wood began by thanking the garden club for the scholarship and passing out a notebook with photos of what he would talk about. 

Wood explained that he has worked in technology for most of his career. 

“I’ve worked as a computer partner software engineer, and I’ve designed and built medical equipment and microscopy systems,” he said.

But at the same time, another passion took root: gardening. 

“During the last few decades, I’ve been building something different. I’ve been building my garden,” Wood said.

 “It started with a few tomato plants,” he said, “and extended out to herbs and berries and trees and everything you can imagine. It’s been one of the most fulfilling things in my life to do.”

What started with “a few tomato plants” expanded into an abundant backyard filled with herbs, berries, fruit trees and vegetables.

A couple of years ago, Wood made the life-changing decision to “step away from engineering for a little bit” and pursue horticulture full-time.

Today, Wood is a full-time student at both Cosumnes River College and American River College, tackling a rigorous schedule. 

“If you know anything about hours, usually 12 hours is full-time — I’m taking 23 hours,” he said, drawing murmurs of admiration from the crowd.

In addition to his studies, Wood serves as the farm manager at Cosumnes River College, helping to maintain greenhouses, orchards, and aquaponic systems. 

“It’s really great work,” he said. “We’re more than just growing plants at CRC; we’re growing people,” he added, describing the satisfaction of mentoring new students.

At home, Wood’s passion continues to flourish. Over the last 20 years, he and his wife, Carrie, have transformed their ornamental backyard into a food-producing landscape. Apples, oranges, lemons, peaches, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries — the list goes on.

One of the highlights of their year is the Apple Harvest event. 

“This year, we had almost 50 people come to our home: friends, neighbors, family, and children in the neighborhood,” Wood shared. 

Guests helped harvest apples, pressed cider, attended soil and seed workshops, and even learned about pollination from the couple’s mason bees. 

“It’s just a wonderful experience,” he said.

Wood emphasized that the River Valley Garden Club’s gift to him was more than financial. 

“It’s something that I see as an investment, basically, in my education and the work that I’m doing to help promote other people to grow their own food,” he said.

Looking ahead, Wood has ambitious plans. He founded a company called Rational Gardening. 

“Our mission is simple: It’s helping people feed themselves,” he said. The business will offer plants and horticultural services locally, but Wood’s bigger dream is a mobile app powered by artificial intelligence, designed to guide gardeners through every step — from mapping out a garden to identifying plant diseases. 

“We’re trying to make everything easier, smarter and more accessible to people,” he explained.

In concluding his remarks, Wood expressed heartfelt gratitude: “Once again, I just want to thank you very much. Your investment in me and the journey I’m currently on is helping me grow, not only as a horticulturist but also as an educator. I hope I can make you proud.”

The audience responded with warm applause, and Watson Hopkins had the final word. 

“This is why we do fundraisers: to help people like you,” she said.