Andrew Barocco: A MILLENNIAL'S THOUGHTS ON ROSES

A MILLENNIAL'S THOUGHTS ON ROSES

Andrew Barocco

Today we talk with a millennial about the future of roses and how they fit in with their lifestyle and culture. 

 

ANDREW BAROCCO...

Andrew Barocco holds dual positions, one in academia, and the other in industry, as both a graduate student under Dr. David H. Byrne in the Horticultural Sciences department at Texas A&M University, and the Director of the Breeding & Production Manager at The Antique Rose Emporium respectively.

He grew up in the Acadiana region of Southern Louisiana where he was strongly influenced by the Cajun culture and his Cajun heritage. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2016 with an undergraduate degree in Horticulture. Also while at LSU, his undergraduate research successfully evaluated exotic sweet potato germplasm lines for new sources of insect resistance. Also while at LSU, he restored the Ornamental Sweetpotato Breeding Program and developed hybrid lines containing both ornamental foliage and commercial grade US No.1 storage roots. These sweet potatoes were patented by LSU and released by Concept Plants as the “Treasure Island” Series. The Treasure Island Series is also the recipient of the 2020 Green Thumb Award™.

He moved to Texas in 2017 to pursue his graduate degree under Dr. Byrne. His research is to determine the genes responsible for thornlessness in roses. Not long after moving to Texas, he began work at The Antique Rose Emporium. There, he took up the reins of reinvigorating the breeding program by making wide and difficult species crosses and working with rare varieties in order to introgress new and valuable traits into commercial and old garden roses.

Andrew is a (CNLP) Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional; placed as the 1^st Overall Individual in the J. Benton Story Horticultural Judging Contest at the ASHS – Southern Region Conference 2015, and has served as the Student National President of the (ASHS ACB) American Society of Horticultural Science, Association of Collegiate Branches in both 2015 and 2016. In 2017 he was the winner of the William C. Welch Landscape Horticulture Scholarship. In 2019 Andrew became the recipient of the Rising Star Award from the American Rose Society.

Occasionally involved in student government, at LSU Andrew served as the Assistant Director for Campus Affairs and Sustainability from 2015 to 2016, and at Texas A&M he served as an emergency GPSC delegate, and a candidate for Student Body President 2018. 

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Chris VanCleave - www.RedneckRosarian.com 
Creator of the Rose Chat Podcast. Mr. VanCleave is a nationally known rosarian, speaker, TV personality and advocate for the rose. Chris is a trustee for the Educational Endowment Trust of the American Rose Society and serves as Marketing Director for the AGRS (American Garden Rose Selections)

Teresa Byington - www.TheGardenDiary.com
Co-Host Teresa Byington is a Consulting Rosarian, Master Gardener, writer and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Rose Society. She tends a cottage garden of more than 200 roses and all their companions.

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