Not everyone can say they have acquired their dream job, but some staff members at MSU can boast about having done so.
Renata Reibitz maintains, redesigns and continually updates the perennial gardens at MSU.
“It’s the most perfect job in the world,” Reibitz said. “I mean, I’m a gardener and I’m happy being outside and playing with the plants.”
Reibitz graduated from MSU in 2009 with a degree in horticulture, and began working in the perennial gardens as an intern.
She said the gardens are not sponsored by MSU, so her department functions strictly on receiving endowments, selling plants and selling memberships.
MSU horticulture garden members enjoy invitations and discounts to events and programs, including VIP admission to the annual Plant Sale from 5 to 7 p.m. May 17. Members receive a 10 percent discount on all purchased plants from the sale, and also receive free admission to over 200 American Horticultural Society reciprocal gardens across the country.
MSU’s 14 acres of gardens are collectively one of the top university horticulture gardens in the country.