Sarah Porter

Marcum’s Nursery

Greenhouse manager

What 3 to 4 professional and/or personal accomplishments are you most proud of?

• Graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in nursery/greenhouse production. During my time here, I served on the board of Phi Theta Kappa and Student Leaders of Tomorrow. Three other girls and I started the leadership club and built it up to the point we actually got an award for Organization of the Year. That was definitely a big accomplishment in my life. 
• I’m also extremely proud of the part I get to play at Marcum’s Nursery. I started out just working at one location watering and planting things. I quickly became the greenhouse manager and gained more responsibility. I found myself wanting more and more. This is a family business, and they recently expanded their production houses. I’m currently responsible for scheduling and overseeing all of the growth in multiple locations. There is so much happening in this company, and I’m proud to be a part of it all. 
• My biggest accomplishment though, is raising my 9-year-old son, Keagan. He’s so kind, thoughtful, hilarious and talented.

What led you to work in the horticulture industry?

• In my early 20s I got a job at a local nursery watering plants and deadheading geraniums. I fell in love with the customers. It was so rewarding to plant things and watch them grow into something that made people so happy. I knew this is what I wanted to do.

What’s the best thing about your job? (Please select one)

• I get to do what I love, every day

Describe to a 6-year-old what you do in life?

• I grow flowers.

What are your favorite hobbies?

• Besides gardening, I love to fish and spend time with family.

When you’re not working, what are 2 to 3 things we could find you doing?

• Gardening
• Watching my son play soccer
• Watching him play piano

Do you have any unusual talents, or can you tell us something interesting about yourself that other people may be surprised to find out?

• I love to teach. I realized this when my son was a baby. Something about showing or telling somebody something they didn’t know and watching them absorb it and then repeat it. I tutored in college and that was a thrill, but now I get to teach all the time with employees and customers.

One thing you can’t live without?

• I can’t live without God’s grace. I wouldn’t have any of this without it.

What are you (un)secretly good at?

• Talking. Seriously, I’m a great communicator.

What are your top three bucket list items?

• Travel to every state in the country with my son

What’s your favorite plant variety and why?

• I love lantana for so many reasons. It takes Oklahoma heat, it’s drought-tolerant, pollinators love it and the colors are so bright.

You’re buying a vacation package to anywhere in the world without a budget, where are you going?

• Brazil