The nursery is staffed by student employees. The money that is generated from the sale of plants is returned back to the production of the plants. Many classes in the Horticulture Department are also held at the nursery. For example, HOR 131-Plant Propagation class involves the students in the latest techniques of nursery production. The plants grown from the classes are then sold to support the nursery.
Students gain valuable nursery experience from the classes and working at the nursery itself.
The Cal-Poly nursery has a conservatory on site. This is building is maintained by student staff. There are many different species of tropical plants that are grown in the conservatory. A large portion of the income for the nursery comes from the annual sale of the Christmas Poinsettias. These can be obtained from the nursery starting in early December.