- Instructor: Jessica Werner
Horticulture is a program offering the student an opportunity to pursue a career interest in any one or combination of the major areas of horticulture: Turfgrass Establishment and Maintenance, Landscape Design, Construction and Maintenance, Greenhouse Crop Production and Floral Design. In addition all students will become members of FFA and have an opportunity to benefit from leadership activities and competitions.
Turfgrass Establishment and Maintenance involves the study of turfgrasses; soil identification and amendments; seasonal lawn maintenance and installation tasks; pest control and the establishment of lawns. This discipline also includes the operation of lawn equipment and small engine repair, preventative maintenance, tune-up procedures, blade sharpening and equipment overhaul.
Landscape Design, Construction and Maintenance includes the principles of landscape design; the study and maintenance of ornamental shrubs and trees, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and fruit trees; corrective and seasonal pruning; propagation; the installation of segmental walls, walkways, patios, low voltage lighting and water features; garden installation and equipment operation.
Greenhouse Crop Production includes the study of greenhouse structures and operation; soils; fertilization; propagation; watering; pest control; inventory; crop scheduling and greenhouse crop care and sales.
Floral Design includes the study of floral shop practices; fresh, silk, and dried floral arranging; holiday and special occasion designs, wedding design work, houseplant care, and trends in the floral industry.
New to the Horticulture Program is an aquaponics system. Aquaponics blends together the technology of hydroponics and fish rearing methods of aquaculture. Based upon the nitrogen cycle, the fish produce essential nutrients for the plants, and in return, the plants filter the water. This sustainable technology allows for organic growing of crops like lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and carrots. Horticulture students work closely with Culinary students to plan menus and schedule the crops for proper harvest. This cross collaboration helps build networking skills while implementing a 21st century business model.
Students in the Horticulture program gain invaluable experience by landscaping the grounds of the student built house project, maintaining portions of the campus, creating seasonal floral arrangements for customers, working on community service projects, and engaging in the production and sale of bedding plants each spring.
Students in this program should be proficient in the following math skills: calculating with fraction operations, computing linear measurements, computing liquid measurements, computing square feet and cubic dimensions, solving ratio problems, and using basic geometry.
