AOLCP Emeriti – Hugh Knowlton
One of the side effects of having such a long-standing program (founded in 1999, OLC is now 26 years old!) is getting to watch some of our AOLCPs transition into much deserved retirement. But just because some of our AOLCPs no longer actively work in the field doesn’t mean that they don’t want to continue being a part of the industry community that they invested so much of their professional lives into. For this reason, we launched our AOLCP Emeriti program in late 2024. This program allows emeriti to maintain access to free or discounted OLC workshops, the OLC archive, their network of peers, and use of AOLCP badge in volunteer and teaching work, all for a one-time, final reaccreditation fee.
Our first registered AOLCP Emeriti is Hugh Knowlton, who spoke with us about his career as an AOLCP and what the emeriti program means to him.
Hugh Knowlton
I am honored and thankful that I can still maintain my membership and connection with NOFA and all that AOLCP stands for. It continues to be a high standard to strive for and a tremendous source of usefulĀ information.
As a retiree, my desire is to stay connected with Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ, where I served as Grounds Supervisor of their 110-acre campus for 29 years (retiring Jan 1, 2020).
I am currently the Beekeeper there (and have been for 12 years) with plans to expand operations to include students who want to learn more. I am still on the Advisory Board for Horticulture and collaborate with Dr Steve Fischer, the department head, who has taught there 48 years. We are currently expanding the College’s community gardens (where my hives are located), an area which I had the opportunity to help develop over the years that I worked there.
One of the upcoming projects in the community gardens is a mini-grant I was awarded by the BCC Foundation to build a micro bin aerated compost system that O2 Composting designs and provides. The Foundation raises funds and provides scholarships to students and they also sell my honey to staff and students! These honey sales support my beekeeping and contribute to student scholarships.
I have been hired part-time by the College on a couple of occasions, the latest to assist in a $250K tree grant over the next 2 years. I work very occasionally for my son who has a successful landscape business and operates in NY, NJ, and CT.
More recently, I purchased 35 acres in upstate NY with 2 houses that my kids manage as rental and Airbnb properties, which also has a large amount of undeveloped land and a 3-acre pond. This will be my playground in retirement … to beat back the invasives, plant natives, and stock the pond with fish!
Thank you for helping make this program available. I am very thankful!
– Hugh Knowlton