Howland, Joseph, 1918-

Biographical Note

Joseph Howland Papers

From his farm upbringing and days of participating in 4-H as a adolescent to his current appointment as Professor Emeritus at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Howland produced extensive research and writing on garden design, horticulture, and floricultural marketing.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island on April 2, 1918, he received a Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture from Rhode Island State College in 1940; a Master's of Science in Horticulture from Michigan State College in 1942; and a Ph.D. in greenhouse crops and marketing from Cornell University in 1945. Howland taught garden design classes while studying at Rhode Island State College and landscape architecture classes while studying at Michigan State.

Howland worked as assistant-to-the-president and editor of O.M. Scotts and Sons Lawn Care Magazine for 12 years, during which time he also served as their advertising and promotion director. He served as associate editor of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine (1945-1948) and as Garden Editor of House Beautiful Magazine (1948-1956). In 1958 he authored The House Beautiful Book of Gardens and Outdoor Living, and in 1967 he served as the president of the Men's Garden Club of America. From 1978 to 1992 Howland wrote monthly marketing columns in Southern Florist and Nursery, Greenhouse Manager, Nursery Manage, Flower Mart, and Los Angeles Flower Market .

From 1969-1973, Howland taught horticulture at the University of Nevada, where he created the Golf Turfgrass School and the Nevada Gardener Magazine . Howland took a leave from the university in 1973 to work as the vice-president for technical services (marketing and research) at Geo. J. Ball Inc., and as president of its Pan American Seed Company. In 1978, he returned to the University of Nevada as Professor of Agricultural Research (1978-1984), and from 1984-1991 he held a joint appointment in Horticulture and Journalism (Advertising and Marketing Research). He was awarded Emeritus Professor of Horticulture and Journalism in 1992.

Sources: Personal notes on Joseph Howland

From the guide to the Joseph Howland papers, 1942-2000, (Environmental Design Archives. College of Environmental Design.)