Huntington Museum of Art Conservatory Director Joshua Hamrick earned his West Virginia Certified Professional Horticulturist certification from the West Virginia Nursery & Landscaping Association in February 2024. To maintain this certification, Hamrick plans to attend upcoming trainings, lectures, workshops and symposiums in the future to earn continuing education credits.
West Virginia native Hamrick joined HMA as the Assistant Conservatory Director in January 2022 and worked with former HMA Conservatory Director Dr. Mike Beck. Hamrick was named the Conservatory Director in January 2023 after Beck’s retirement, and since that time, Hamrick has overseen accessibility modifications; created a new display for HMA’s axolotl salamanders; and planned for and overseen the installation of a pergola in the conservatory.
“For me, it was important that I add CPH to my resume considering I came into horticulture through a non-conventional route,” Hamrick said. “My education and work history were largely focused on working with plants in the field. That’s very different than growing them. Most of my horticultural experience is from my own trial and error, lots of reading, viewing many hours of YouTube videos, and most importantly – learning from others.”
Hamrick is a graduate of Marshall University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Hamrick interned with the U.S. Forest Service on the Mendocino National Forest in Northern California and with Casper Mountain Science School in Wyoming. Hamrick worked in the Marshall University Herbarium briefly and is a former crew member for the Northeast Temperate and Mid-Atlantic Forest Inventory and Monitoring Networks, which have long-term forest health monitoring plots in national and historical parks. Hamrick has also worked in multiple positions with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources in Huntington.
“As I’ve learned in the past two years, our local community really looks to HMA’s Conservatory Director for their horticultural expertise,” Hamrick said. “Therefore, the person in that role should strive to grow their knowledge and experience as much as possible. This certification and continued membership to WVNLA offers that opportunity.”
Josh resides in Huntington with his partner and two dogs. He enjoys hiking, science-fiction films and books, and true crime podcasts.
For more information about the Huntington Museum of Art, visit hmoa.org or call (304) 529-2701. HMA is fully accessible.
West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.