Horticulture

The business of growing flowers, greenery, trees, and vegetables and of planting them in the landscape is commonly called the green industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focuses on crop yields when it measures the green industry. It looks at horticulture — the growing of garden plants, vegetables, cut flowers, and potted flowering plants and of seedlings, cuttings, and other propagative floriculture materials. The USDA also assesses the production of nursery crops, such as conifers, deciduous trees, ornamentals, Christmas trees, and fruit and nut plants.

Workers in the green industry grow all of these plants. Installing and maintaining plants are also part of the green industry. Workers in this segment of the industry may manage the turf on sports fields and golf courses or design and install landscapes in parks, schools, commercial sites, and individual yards. Workplaces for people with green thumbs run the gamut from small landscaping operations to huge garden centers. Sod farms, greenhouses, and nurseries hire people to produce the greenery needed for landscaping work. Landscaping maintenance firms employ people to mow grass, maintain equipment, spray for insects, and prune trees. And nearly all institutions, such as hospitals, universities, golf courses — even shopping malls — need people to manage their landscapes and plants.

Courses Offered within the Pathway *subject to change*

• Introduction to Horticulture
• Agriculture Science and Technology
• Landscape Technology
• Turf and Lawn Management
• Sports Turf Management

With the completion of these courses, you can receive a certification in plant science. 

Sample Occupations

• • Nursery Technician 
  • Golf Course Worker
  • Entrepreneur
  • Landscape Matinence Worker
  • Worker/ Supervisor

• • Landscape Designer
  • Garden Center Manager
  • Floral Designer
  • Supervisor

• • Education and Extension Specialist
  • Tree Surgeon
  • Plant Pathologist
  • Golf Course Superintendent
  • Landscape Architect