Rijk studied horticulture at UMASS Amherst with a focus in fruit and vegetable production and later mycology in graduate school at UW LaCrosse. He has been passionate about growing the highest quality foods for people who care about it. Working through the years in various avenues of horticulture, from nursery work to public gardening, Rijk has gained vast knowledge and experience to grow an eclectic selection of ornamental, annual and perennial plants.