Season 3 Episode 3 - Kelly Piccioni Artwork

Keeping It Green

Our landscapes have many functions; they add beauty to our surroundings, provide a place to recreate, reduce stress, and clean and cool the surrounding environment. They also provide pollen and nectar for pollinators and provide habitat for birds. Keeping It Green is a weekly podcast in which Penn State extension educators talk with ornamental plant professionals and enthusiasts who add beauty and function to our landscapes. Topics will range from design, installation and maintenance, plant selection, pests, and other current horticulture topics.

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Keeping It Green

Season 3 Episode 3 - Kelly Piccioni

March 05, 2025 • Penn State Extension • Season 3 • Episode 3

Join the Keeping It Green team as they sit down with one of Penn State Extension’s newest hires, Kelly Piccioni. Kelly shares her family's deep-rooted history in horticulture, starting with her great-grandfather, who bought Christmas trees by the railcar and sold them during the Great Depression—eventually leading the family into nursery production. A graduate of Delaware Valley College, Kelly has explored a wide range of horticulture fields, from teaching high school students to diving into floral design, which sparked a creative side hustle. She also shares her thoughts on engaging young adults in horticulture and the future of the industry.

Episode Hosts/Speakers:

Margaret Pickoff, Penn State Extension (host)

Sandy Feather, Penn State Extension (host)

Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension

Caption – photo provided by Kelly Piccioni

Keeping It Green has an email: keepingitgreen@psu.edu
Do you have a suggestion for a future episode? Want more information on something we talked about? Send us your questions and comments, or just say hello! We would love to hear from you!

Check out Penn State Extension's Green Industry Team website!