Carrie Wafler’s dreams started small. She loved riding horses, gardening and spending time outdoors. And she had an entrepreneurial spark that set her apart.
When those passions came together at SUNY Morrisville, something extraordinary blossomed — quite literally.
Today, Wafler owns Barn Blooms Flower Farm, in Wolcott, a thriving floral business that blends artistry, horticulture and agriculture. A proud two-time graduate of SUNY Morrisville, she now gives back as an adjunct instructor, teaching courses in equine science, agricultural business and horticulture.
On Saturday, she reached another milestone, joining the first class of SUNY Morrisville’s food & agribusiness (FAB) master’s degree program.
Surrounded by family, many of them SUNY Morrisville alumni, Wafler celebrated alongside fellow graduates during the college’s 2025 Commencement ceremony, held May 17.
“It fills me with so much excitement to walk across the stage,” Wafler said. “Completing this master’s degree is a win for women in agriculture and women taking leadership roles in the industry.”
Cheering grads on were family, friends and proud faculty and staff. SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers was joined by school deans and members of the College Council in presiding over the ceremony, which began with the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band leading graduates into the formal commencement exercises.
The stage was adorned with ferns and flowers grown by students in the college’s horticulture program and artfully arranged by Gareth March, of Greece, New York, a graduate who earned his bachelor’s degree in horticulture business management.
“Wherever your life may take you, SUNY Morrisville will go with you,” said President Rogers. “Farewell. Do us proud. Be proud to tell the world, by your words and your work, that you are a graduate of SUNY Morrisville and the State University of New York.”
Among those embodying that pride was Wafler, whose journey at SUNY Morrisville was shaped by immersive hands-on learning.
While earning her associate degree in equine science and later her bachelor’s degree in agricultural business development, Wafler made the most of every opportunity to learn, from caring for cattle, sheep and rabbits in the livestock barn, to competing with the Western Equestrian team.
After graduation, her passion for agriculture brought her to Wafler Farms, a family-run apple orchard and fruit tree nursery. It was there she met her future husband, Kyle Wafler ’17, and quickly became an integral part of the farm’s growth, helping to expand its human resources operations.
She later launched Barn Blooms, starting with just a small plot of land and a bucket of flowers. Today, the unique business offers floral design, event services, community workshops and a community-supported bouquet subscription service that brings fresh, locally grown flowers to customers each season.
As her business grew, so did her ambition. When SUNY Morrisville announced its flexible new online FAB program, Wafler jumped at the opportunity.
“I always wanted to get my master’s degree, but I was running a business,” she said.
Along with its flexibility, the large network of connections and meeting people in different parts of the industry have been invaluable parts of the program.
That same sense of connection and opportunity has been a driving force for other graduates like March.
“The hands-on experience I’ve acquired during my time at Morrisville has exposed me to many different aspects of horticulture, including greenhouse management, landscape design and nursery production,” March said. “My education has given me a toolbox of knowledge that I’m going to use during my summer internship, in my current position and in my future career endeavors.”
This summer, March will intern as a horticulturist at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua. He’ll also continue working at VanPutte Gardens in Greece, where he serves in many roles, including landscape design apprentice and assisting the CEO & landscape finance manager.
In his parting words to fellow classmates, graduate Tron Smith, vice president of the Student Government Organization and this year’s student speaker, celebrated the shared journey of the Class of 2025 — a group of individuals from different walks of life who came together to form a tight-knit, supportive community at Morrisville.
He called on graduates to carry that legacy forward. “I leave you with this challenge: be the change you want to see in the world. Make a difference in someone’s life. Build community wherever you go. Congratulations, Class of 2025! The world is waiting for us. Let’s go make our mark.”
Elisa Livengood, the college’s Distinguished Faculty Award recipient, spoke to the strength, determination and potential of graduates, urging them to trust in their skills and to always have hope, even when facing adversity.
“If we keep this messaging of hope, we can make the world better,” said Livengood, associate professor of aquaculture & aquatic science and environmental and natural resources management. “And I know that graduates of Morrisville have this incredible capacity to make the world better together.”
She also reflected on the graduates’ readiness to take on the world beyond college.
“Here at Morrisville, we say ‘you learn by doing.’ And now, you know how to do what you’ve learned,” Livengood said. “You’re ready — not to just get the job, but to build the career, the life and the world you want to live in. So, go forward boldly. Believe in what you’ve learned. Believe in your resilience. And above all — have hope.”
