Pathway Description

This pathway focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding, cultivation, and production of agricultural plants, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural plant products. Includes instruction in the plant sciences, crop cultivation and production, and agricultural and food products processing.

Horticulture Course Progression

Horticulture Course Descriptions

Principles of Agricultural Science and Technology

This course provides instruction in the foundations of various segments of the agricultural industry. Agricultural career opportunities will be emphasized. Animal science, plant and land science, and agricultural mechanics skills will be the focus of the curriculum. The selection and planning of a supervised agricultural experience program and related record keeping will be presented.

Landscape and Turf Management

This course includes identification of landscape plants and their characteristics, site evaluation, site design, calculation of materials needed, costs for bidding, and installing landscape plans. Landscape plant maintenance will also be presented. Selection, culture, and management of turf species used for lawns, golf courses, athletic fields and erosion control may also be included. Content may be enhanced by utilizing appropriate technology.

Floriculture and Floral Design

Floriculture and Floral Design provides instruction to develop floral design techniques using silk, dried, and fresh flowers. Students will learn operation and management techniques of a floral business as well as identification, production, and cultural maintenance practices of plants used in floral design and interior landscaping.

Greenhouse Technology

Greenhouse Technology provides instruction in greenhouse structures and greenhouse environment regulations. Plant growth and development and propagation are included as well as production and maintenance of bedding and container produced plants. Fundamental principles of vegetable production and commercial production of vegetable crops as well as marketing of horticulture products may be included.

Agriculture Sales and Marketing

This course provides an introduction to agricultural sales and marketing. Course material will include: competition in the agriculture market place, marketing decisions, types of markets, contracting, government programs and regulations, personal development, employee and employer responsibilities, communications, promotion strategies, records, files, purchasing materials, stocking, selling, and business account procedures.

Agriculture Employability Skills

Agriculture Employability Skills provides opportunities to develop skills in: job searching, preparing resumes, writing letters of application, job interview, attitude, communicating effectively, human relations and accepting responsibilities. Content may be enhanced with appropriate computer applications.

Agricultural Education Co-op/Internship

Cooperative Education for CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses provides supervised work site experience related to the student’s identified career pathway. A student must be enrolled in an approved pathway course during the same school year that the co-op experience is completed or have already completed the pathway the previous year.