The Solano Community College (SCC) Horticulture Building 1000 is no more. On August 19, 2013, a dedication ceremony took place to name the building and grounds the Louise Wibourn Yarbrough Horticulture and Plant Institute. A massive pergola now sits out in front of the building where the site was dedicated.
Louise and her husband, Billy, grew up in Oklahoma and came as farmers to Solano county in 1955. Billy established Solano Concrete in 1960 and because of his love of youth sports, opened various sports fields throughout the community. The current SCC baseball stadium is also a result of the generosity and efforts of Louise and Billy. Although Billy is no longer alive, Louise continues to be an avid gardener, an advocate for children and a stakeholder for the Solano County communities.
The future of the new institute can be seen by looking back to a couple of years ago. A fire swept through several acres of the planting grounds adjacent to the Horticulture classrooms and greenhouses, destroying all vegetation. Louise helped in securing a California fire grant award for land reclamation and orchard replacement at the college. Her efforts in support of ballot-passing Measures "G" and "Q" have now given rise to a whole new future of Horticulture to both students and the general public.
The Horticulture faculty, in particular, Ken Williams and Sandy Diehl, along with some input from others, came up with the Horticulture Expansion Project, which is now in progress. Land is being cleared and Louise has funded grading. Forty-six orchard trees are awaiting planting. Important to note is the Botanical Garden. It was designed by one of Ken Williams' Landscaping II students, Candy Pond. This will be an Ornamental Botanical Garden joining with Benicia's Forest Deaner Native Plant Garden in showcasing Solano County garden attractions. Also shown are expanded Community gardens and a Farmers Market. Sandy Diehls' Adaptive Students will have their gardens enhanced and be able to sell vegetables and other plants that they grow at this market. Proceeds will help support the college Horticulture program. Sustainable Agriculture, Orchards and a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener demonstration/presentation area under the direction of the Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Jennifer Baumbach are other areas where students and the public can learn and interact for everyone's benefit.
It's truly an exciting time for all.
