Introducing Tommy McCann Our Newest Member of the Philadelphia Extension Team

Accompanying Heather’s news of leaving the team, we would also like to send out a warm welcome to Tommy McCann as Heather’s replacement and newest Horticulture Educator for Philadelphia County.

Tommy has a long history with Penn State and began his affiliation during high school as a student in the 1993 class of the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Agricultural Sciences, which unfortunately no longer exists.  He continued on at PSU to receive a Bachelors of Science in Landscape Contracting with a minor in Horticulture in 1999.  In August of this past summer, Tommy has just received his Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, also from Penn State University.

During the past 2 years in graduate school, Tommy has become acquainted with the Urban Agricultural movement in Philadelphia and worked along side Dr. Bill Lamont in the construction of 3 high tunnels between 2011 and 2012.  In one instance, he also organized a water collection project with a group of Penn State Biological Engineering students to collect and redistribute rain water into a high tunnel for Teens4Good in East Poplar (https://stuckeman.psu.edu/news/content/stuckeman-school-articles/watering-future-growth).

Tommy’s background also includes a 9 year period where he worked as a Landscape Architect in Ireland and he is now focused on improving Urban Agricultural activities here in Philadelphia.  Tommy is eager to help out where ever he can, and is actively getting acquainted with our various partners around Philadelphia. 

Tommy is looking forward to his role as an active member of Penn State’s outreach in his home City, and is excited about our bright future!