Meet Michael Lockman, South Seattle College's New Landscape Horticulture Faculty
After six years teaching at South, we're delighted to welcome Michael Lockman as the newest permanent faculty member in our Landscape Horticulture program! Michael brings decades of hands-on experience in sustainable landscape design and construction, a deep love of teaching, and big ideas for our students, our Arboretum, and our Garden Center. Read on to learn more about him and what he's excited to grow here at South.
Getting to Know Michael
Michael's path to horticulture began somewhere you might not expect: the kitchen.
“The short answer is that I followed my passion (organic cooking, baking, and eating!) out of Indiana,” he says.
That passion took him to an organic farm in Skagit County in the early '90s, where he learned how food is grown and processed. Rather than farm full time, he saw a chance to help people grow food right in their own backyards. In 1995, he founded WeDesign, Inc., a full-service landscape design and installation company specializing in edible landscaping, backyard wildlife habitat, and rainwater catchment.
Teaching has always been part of the picture, too. Michael organized and led workshops on sustainable living and permaculture, which led to teaching roles at Antioch University Seattle, Edmonds College, and South.
We're lucky he stuck with us. “To be honest, I had been trying to get hired at South for 10 years, but there was never an open position,” he shares. “When I was contacted about teaching the Residential Design class six years ago, I jumped at the opportunity.”
We're so glad he did.
Why He Loves This Program
Michael doesn't hide his enthusiasm. “This is an easy question, as I love to talk about our amazing Landscape Horticulture program!”
He points to the program's well-rounded curriculum, which blends classroom learning with real-world practice to prepare students for a variety of horticulture careers. For Michael, hands-on learning is what sets South apart.
“Whether it is working in the 5-acre Arboretum, building an arbor or repairing an irrigation system, or working in the greenhouse propagating and selling plants, our program is designed to give students hands-on skills.”
What He's Excited to Build
Michael arrives with a clear vision: expand partnerships, create more employment opportunities for students, and keep the curriculum relevant to the marketplace.
He's especially passionate about where the field is headed. “Sustainable landscaping, gardening for wildlife, and ecological restoration are more than buzzwords,” he says. “They are tools to help us heal damaged ecosystems and renew our connection to nature. It is my hope that we can become a key player in this emerging field.”
Big Dreams for the Arboretum
Michael calls our Arboretum one of the program's greatest assets. “There are not many other horticulture programs in the country that have this resource at their disposal,” he says. “It is the learning lab where students put principles into action.”
He sees students as stewards of a world-class public green space, and he has a goal for the neighborhood. “Many West Seattle residents have never heard of the Arboretum, let alone visited it,” he says. “I would love to flip this narrative and see the Arboretum become a ‘must visit’ part of the West Seattle experience!”
A Garden Center for Students and Neighbors
The Garden Center is now open every week, Thursday through Saturday, giving students real experience running a retail nursery. Michael plans to build those lessons even further into the Greenhouse, Nursery, and Small Business for Horticulture classes, while making the Garden Center a go-to spot for quality plants and great plant advice.
He's already seen what's possible. This spring, students in the Greenhouse/Nursery Practicum class planned and ran a Native Plant Sale that brought in record sales, complete with student-made educational flyers and sample designs. “Look for the Native Plant Sale to be a recurring event every spring!”
A Word to Future Students
Curious about horticulture but not sure if it's for you? Michael has encouragement to share.
“Follow your passion and you will find a career that feeds it,” he says. “All of our students are drawn to horticulture because they are passionate about plants or sustainability or working outside, and through the Horticulture program they are able to solidify their knowledge base and discover career opportunities to feed their passion.”
Welcome to the Otter Family, Michael!
We can't wait to see how Michael's experience, energy, and vision help our program, our students, and our green spaces flourish. When you're on campus, stop by the Arboretum or the Garden Center and say hello!
Want to learn more?
Explore South Seattle College's Landscape Horticulture program, visit the Arboretum daily from dawn until dusk, or shop the Garden Center Thursday through Saturday.