RHP's Environmental Arts program taps into the artist in every student by designing wonderful gardens using environmentally sound horticultural practices and new and innovative planting methods.

According to professional landscape architect Miriam Rainville, "It is impressive how RHP has taken green practices and incorporated them into student life. These graduates will go on to definitely give more than lip service to green practices so desperately needed."

Horticultural arts features study of garden design principles, creation of posters on topics in agriculture and environmental history and issues, and doing organic gardening with a "dirt under the fingernails" approach that calls for hands-on maintenance of the garden on the lower campus. Activities include:

Environmental arts includes all of the activities of horticultural arts while taking green art a step further by incorporating math, history, science, and business into this course. RHP's goal is eventually to establish its own farmers' market.

Program Director Dixie Maletta says, "I really enjoy seeing the students so industrious in a physical task. They are learning how plants actually grow, in the ground or on a vine. When they taste something that they have helped produce, there's a new discovery for them. They enjoy tasting things for the first time. Working with the students as they design their own gardens with their new awareness of seasonal plants and growing cycles makes me very proud of their growth."