Markis Hill
Johnson County Kansas State Research and Extension Horticulture 
Agent
Ornamentals, Turf and Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) volunteer management
Areas of Specialization:
- Horticulture production
- Landscape maintenance
- Native plants
- Greenhouse management
- Ornamentals, trees, shrubs, turf
Personal History/Background
Born to navy veterans in San Diego, Markis moved to Eudora, Kansas in 2004. After earning his associate degree at Coffeyville Community College, he worked in landscape maintenance, which inspired him to pursue Horticulture at Kansas State University starting in 2015. During his time there, Markis worked at the Kansas State Horticulture Department Greenhouses, volunteered at K-State Gardens, competed in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, as well as taught classes.
He graduated shortly before the onset of Covid-19 lockdowns, securing a position with the K-State Landscape crew. Here, he contributed to the installation of new planting beds, engaged in collaborative volunteer initiatives with fellow K-State staff, and honed his recently acquired skills. Markis demonstrated his commitment to enhancing the campus environment by redesigning flower beds at prominent locations such as the Martin Luther King statue, Anderson Hall, Carl Mary Ice Hall, Chester E. Peters Recreation Complex, Unger Complex, Mosier Hall, and Waters Hall.
Two and a half years later, Markis and his wife Claudia relocated to Kansas City, Kansas, where they celebrated the birth of their first child. Prior to his current role at Johnson County Extension, Markis spent a year at Botanical Belongings, where he received comprehensive training in native plant species and maintaining them in a formal garden setting.
Education
B.S. College of Agriculture, Horticulture Production, Kansas State University