Digging Into Growth: How One Engineer is Cultivating More Than Code

Software Engineer Trent Brunssen has long had a knack for getting his hands dirty, literally. A lifelong gardener, Trent is now planting roots in a new kind of growth journey: becoming a Master Gardener.

Thanks to Daycos’ personal development program (and a few gentle nudges from supportive coworkers), Trent began pursuing his certification in January 2024. The process isn’t for the faint of trowel: it requires 40 hours of coursework and 40 hours of volunteer service in the first year alone. While he just missed the mark in year one, Trent is already on track to complete both requirements this year, making him eligible for official Master Gardener status by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

So, why go all in? For Trent, it’s been about more than plants. While he has appreciated the education side of things, he’s also enjoying the social aspect. As an introvert, joining the group pushed him outside his comfort zone. Now, he even looks forward to the meetings.

That sense of unexpected growth echoes a familiar theme in his gardening life. Though he’s been tending soil since childhood, Trent admits he didn’t always enjoy it. Although he’s not sure when that changed, he says, “I just like to play in the dirt.” These days, his play includes managing a garden at home, helping care for a community garden at Daycos (including a newly added pumpkin patch!), and contributing time and sweat equity through the Master Gardener program.

Gardening also serves as a mental reset during the workday. “It’s a nice break to step outside and get into the dirt and sun,” Trent says.

Unlike some gardeners who dream of grand designs, Trent proudly identifies as a “fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants” type. His biggest challenge? Always squeezing in just one more plant. And while he doesn’t have a single favorite crop, he does have a favorite approach: “Something I’ve never grown before.”

At Daycos, we believe growth happens in all forms: personally, professionally, and yes, even horticulturally. And Trent’s story is a reminder that sometimes the best kind of growth happens when you roll up your sleeves, get a little messy, and make space for something new to take root.