Howdy, my name is Mercedes Burks and I am your 2025 Hort Club Greenhouse Manager. I am a Horticulture Major with an ECCB Minor. I have a husband, 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bearded dragon, 1 corn snake, and more plants than I can count at home. I have lived half of my life in Amarillo and the other half in Round Rock but probably consider Round Rock more of my hometown. It may have taken me a while to find where my true passion was in life but once I did, I really dove in. I love plants and nature. If I am not studying or being a mom, I am likely hanging out with plants or hiking in nature. I also have a passion for macro photography so you may see me taking lots of up-close photos of flowers and insects. I am also a clinical herbalist, holistic health coach, and holistic nutritionist, which further drives my passion for horticulture. In the future I plan to own a small retail greenhouse that does most of its own propagation and highlights the medicinal and indigenous uses of the plants on all of the signage. When I first came to A&M and saw the horticulture greenhouses, I knew that I needed to work in them.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve as your Greenhouse Manager and hang out in our greenhouse with the plants.