Jesse Horning

I have always loved the land. Growing up in rural, western New York was an early catalyst for appreciating the land around all of us.

In 2013, I received my B.F.A. in Photojournalism from Rochester Institute of Technology with many of my projects focusing on food security and agricultural practices. After school, I had many jobs but a common thread was working on organic farms nationally and internationally. From 2017- 2021, I worked as a laborer and carpenter for a heavy highway/ bridge construction company. These experiences have provided me the skills to design in a practical way and consider alternative ways to approach projects.

My construction experience grounds how I approach my work and an innate desire to create beautiful, ecologically restorative places drives my designs. I have a special interest in Arts & Crafts gardens and how the mindset of the movement can be utilized in our era. As I look to my final year of pursuing an M.L.A. at SUNY ESF, I anticipate my capstone project will be focused on adapting historic, residential landscapes in Rochester, NY for climate resiliency.

I currently live in Rochester with my husband Patrick and our two cane corsos in a unique historical home. The overgrown, 1934 Alling Stephen DeForest landscape keeps me busy outside and at the end of the day, I enjoy reading science fiction and classical music. Please visit the Blog link for updates on this ongoing landscape restoration project.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
― Edmund Burke