Careers In Horticulture Unit 1

Objectives What is the scope, size, and economic importance of Horticulture in the US? What are 5 careers in the horticulture industry? What local jobs are available in the horticulture industry and what skills are needed for the job?

What is Horticulture? The horticulture industry has developed far beyond the simple definition of “garden cultivation” It includes cultivation, processing, and sale of fruits, nuts, vegetables, ornamental plants, and flowers It contributes over $35 billion to the US economy every year.

Horticulture Broken Down Pomology – the science and practice of growing, harvesting, handling, storing, processing, and marketing tree fruits Olericulture – the science and practice of growing, harvesting, storing, processing, and marketing vegetables Floriculture – The science and practice of growing, harvesting, storing, designing, and marketing flowering plants Landscape and Nursery Industry – The science and practice of propagating, growing, installing, maintaining, and using grasses, annual plants, shrubs, and trees in the landscape

Jobs in Hort. There are various sources of employment for individuals trained in horticulture. Greenhouses, nurseries, garden centers, golf courses, parks, orchards, floral design shops, grounds maintenance operations, and vegetable & fruit growers Page 4 – Job Chart Compare the different jobs

Greenhouse Employee Grows plants in a heated greenhouse May grow vegetables or flowers Usually grow out-of-season vegetables Most work is done indoors High school education is preferred

Nursery Employee Grows seedlings and plants for landscaping, fruit production and replanting forests Prepare seedbeds; plant seedlings; prepare cuttings for rooting; and weed, cultivate, water, and prune plants Much outdoor work Ability to identify plants and the knowledge of how plants are used in landscapes is desirable High School education

Garden Center Employee Cares for ornamental plants, moves plants and supplies into selling areas, arranges plants and supplies for display purposes and sells various products Work includes cleaning, stocking, arranging garden supplies on shelves, etc. Usually work in a clean pleasant and comfortable environment High school education desired

Maintenance Employee Cares for the area surrounding an industry, business, school, etc. Plant and care for lawns and ornamental plants Works mainly outdoors Certain jobs must be done in severe weather conditions Demand for HS graduates specializing in this area is increasing

Golf Course Employee Responsible for overall maintenance of golf courses Care for different types of turf Install and use irrigation and drainage equipment Also prune shrubs and trees Almost always outdoor work and usually in good weather High school education minimum

City, State, or National Park Employee Maintain trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns General Maintenance tasks are also done Outdoors mostly some in bad weather High school education is desirable

Facts Approximately 32% of all teachers and scientists in the US Dept of Ag & various colleges of Ag will retire in the next few years Each year there are about 14% more jobs in Ag than there are graduates to fill them A 4-year college grad will earn about $1,000,000 more during a lifetime career in Hort. than a HS grad.

Assignment Complete Lab Exercise 1-2; 1-3 Complete Lab Exercise 1-7 as a group to construct a bulletin board