Horticulture
If you saw a flower, plant, or tree today, enjoyed beautiful landscaping in a park, walked over turf grass, or played on a basketball, football, or golf course then chances are you benefited from the work of a horticulturist during your day. While other LISD TECH Center agri-science programs focus on staple crops, Horticulture is the study of creative and sustainable solutions to use plants and plant research to enhance personal health and the quality of life. Whether you want to work in a lab, a field, a floral shop, at an arboretum, a botanical garden, in plant research, or on the golf course, the possibilities in Horticulture are plentiful.
Program Description
The Horticulture program is held at the LISD Center for a Sustainable Future, where plants, flowers, and small fruits and vegetable production are grown in a state-of-the-art greenhouse as part of the Center’s “living roof”. In this course, students learn landscape, conservation of natural resources, forestry, and how to use design software programs. Students will learn greenhouse management and operate a nursery. FFA leadership training is an essential part of the curriculum. Students who take this program have the option to dual-enroll in Michigan State University classes.
To Be Successful
Successful students usually have strong grades in science, an interest in working outdoors, the ability to follow directions, multi-task, and an interest in scientific methods and research. Good communication and math skills are helpful.
Student Organization
FFA
Program Success Indicators
Academic
- Enjoy science and science-related activities
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers and decimals
- Measure and determine area, perimeter, and volume for landscaping
- Able to read charts and graphs
- Writing, research, and investigation
- Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Drive)
- Engage in public speaking
Interpersonal
- Able to follow safety rules
- Work independently
- Consistent attendance
- Persevere until skill is attained
- Demonstrate courtesy and politeness with fellow students, staff, and guests
- Participate in classroom projects
- Adhere to professional standards of dress and behavior
- Listen, read, and follow verbal instructions
- Complete assigned work in a timely manner; meet deadlines, prioritize tasks
Program Specific
- Enjoy the outdoors
- Have an interest in nature, plants, floral design, and horticulture
- Participate in the student organization, the National FFA, and activities
- Participate in career development and leadership events
- Record keeping in the AET (Agriculture Experience Tracker) online system
- Exposure to a variety of farm smells including soil, compost, manure, and animals
- Exposure to hands-on work with soil and a variety of plants (not afraid to get dirty)
- Operate small and large industry-specific equipment such as zero-turn mower, skid steer, chainsaw, etc.
- Use drafting tools and CAD (Computer Aided Design) to draw landscape designs
Related Careers
Note: Additional education may be required.
- Landscaping
- Greenhouse Management
- Agri-Science
- Park Ranger/DNR
- Forest Technician
- Florist
- Turf Grass
- Fruit & Vegetable Production
High School Credit*
*The LISD TECH Center recommends the academic credit listed. Credit can only be awarded by local districts.
- 1.0 4th Math
- 1.0 Visual, Performing, & Applied Arts
- 1.0 2nd Science (Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Agriscience)
- 1.0 World Languages (in lieu of)
- 1.0 3rd Science (in lieu of)
College Credit Opportunities*
*College credit can only be awarded by the college or university. Certain requirements must be met outside of completing the program.
- Davenport University
- Michigan State University
- Siena Heights University
Certification Opportunities
- Certified Green Industry Professional (CGIP)
- Michigan Certified Florist (MCF)
- Benz School of Floral Design Principles - floral design certification
- BASF - plant science certification
- Bobcat - skid steer safe operator certificate
- Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) - pesticide applicator's certification
- YouScience exams
- Floriculture & greenhouse management
- Plant & soil science
- Landscape management
Instructor
Johanna Lentz grew up in Britton, living on a small family farm with greenhouse crops, vegetables, and 4-H animals. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture with a concentration on Landscape Design and a specialization in Environmental Science.
Teacher Assistant
Audrey Wegner grew up living on a small farm with 4-H animals in Hudson. Audrey attended the TECH Center (formerly Vo-Tech) for 2 years in the Horticulture program and was an active member of the A.M. FFA Chapter. She now lives and owns a cash crop farm in the Blissfield area with her husband. Audrey has many hours working in the Horticulture industry. Audrey has been working at the TECH Center in the Horticulture program since 2013.
