Carson Arthur credits Humber Polytechnic for getting his start in television.
Arthur, a landscape designer, television host, author and owner of Carson’s Garden and Market, is a 2004 graduate of the Landscape Technician program.
While in school as a first-year student, he was using the computer lab during a second-year class. The professor told the class there was a work-integrated learning position on a television show and asked if anyone in the class would be interested in it.
Nobody but Arthur was.
“It sounded different and a little bit outside of the norm,” said Arthur, who appears regularly as an outdoor and gardening expert on CityLine and 580 CFRA while hosting a radio show on 800 CJQB.
He served as a personal assistant to the host of the program Get Growing on the W Network and used the knowledge he learned in class to help with the show. He did such a good job, the producer told Arthur about a new program called Room to Grow looking for a host and Arthur landed the position.
He’s since gone on to host HGTV’s Green Force and Critical Listing and appeared as an expert on Home to Win.
He’s penned two books – Vegetables, Chickens & Bees: An Honest Guide to Growing Your Own Food Anywhere and Garden Design for Outdoor Living: Social Gatherings – and is a brand ambassador for DEWALT and Craftsman tools. He’s also Canada’s ambassador for Save the Children.
“I was able to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Humber,” said Arthur. “I never thought I would ever be on television but then I had the chance, and I thought it could be something really fun - and look at where it’s taken me. For all the Humber students, pay attention for these opportunities and don’t be afraid to explore them.”
As a proud Humber alumnus, Arthur has remained connected to the polytechnic following graduation. He was nominated by Humber in 2022 for a Premier’s Award and periodically comes back to his alma mater to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of students. Earlier this year, he appeared at Humber’s Spring Open House.
“Ultimately, I wouldn’t be sitting here with the career I’ve had and my own garden centre in Prince Edward County without the education and exposure I received at Humber,” he said.
Humber is hosting Alumni Fest from September 13-21 and it features a number of events and activities including Toronto Blue Jays and Argonauts games and a virtual workshop. It culminates with Campus Day on September 21. Held at North Campus, there’s lots to take in that day including volleyball and basketball games between varsity alumni and current Humber student athletes.
More information can be found by visiting the Alumni Fest website.