Jorge Ochoa was hired to teach Horticulture part-time in 2002 and since becoming a full-time faculty member in 2009, he has thrown himself into revitalizing the Horticulture program by tearing up the ground and taking a keen interest in the curriculum.

In addition to running the horticulture program with his amazing colleague Brian Hastie, Jorge is on many College committees including the Academic Senate Executive Team and Curriculum.

In addition to all he does for the College, including year-round assistance for providing plants for LBCC events and holding the successful annual Plant Sale, he is also the keynote speaker for garden clubs throughout the city of Long Beach and Southern California. During his career, Jorge has walked 95% of the city to record and map the biggest, oldest and most unique trees. He says it’s always an incredible experience to go down almost every street and see the trees he once recorded.

The LBCC alum and graduate of Cal Poly Pomona has also assisted the Naples Islands Garden Club in planting the palm tree basins and provided the plants on Second Street between North Ravenna Drive and Tivoli Drive. He also took part in garden improvements at Mark Twain’s Elementary School, Rancho Los Cerritos, Scherer Park and the Armory. He is also a plant consultant for the Long Beach Water Department’s Lawn-To-Garden Turf Replacement Program.

As one colleague said, “Jorge always has a smile on his face and a cup of coffee in his hand. He inspires me to become a better colleague. Although he would insist that he is not an example to me, he inspires me to find my passion and to share it with my students. I admire Jorge for his vision, his energy, his passion, and the way in which he makes LBCC, and especially PCC, a joy to be a part of.”

When not working in the LBCC horticulture gardens, he can be found in a remote jungle searching for unique species of his favorite plant: the passion flower.