Horticulture & Plant Science

Upon successful completion of the Agriculture Business Plant Science certificate, the student demonstrates the skills, knowledge, and training for employment in the following positions: Crop Inspector; Cultivation Supervisor; Farm Supervisor; Crew Supervisor; Fertilizer and Chemical Applicator; Field Buyer; Field Representative: Field Soil Collector; Fruit Inspector; Nursery Technician; Greenhouse Technician; Produce Inspector; Laboratory Technician; Pest Control Operator; Plant Inspector; Plant Propagator; Quality Control Technician; Seed Technician; Seed and Supply Store Salesperson; Soil Conservation Technician; Soil Fumigator; Surveyor; and Tissue Culture Technician; demonstrates his/her ability to classify and identify plants using a botanical key; the principles of plant inheritance, plant physiology and plant growth; and the techniques for successful plant propagation; practice skills to identify types of pathogens and pests that affect plants; demonstrate local cultural practices including pruning, fertilization, planting, irrigation and harvesting; and understand the principles of plant tissue culture and gene transfer in plant breeding; and prepares the student for a successful transfer to a university for a baccalaureate degree. The certificate program closely follows the design developed by the Central Valley Consortium Agricultural Education Tech Prep.

The Associate in Science for Transfer degree in Plant Science provides students with an introductory foundation of plant and soil sciences. It prepares students to transfer to a CSU campus into majors such as Plant Science, Crop Science, and Environmental Horticulture. Potential careers in the field include: Pest Control Advisor (PCA), crop production specialist, farm management, landscape design, quality control manager, county and governmental compliance inspector, sales and marketing of seed and other crop protecting agents. The completion of this degree provides students with preparation for upper-division coursework required within a baccalaureate degree program in plant science from a California State University (CSU).

The Associate in Science degree in Horticulture provides students with an introductory foundation of plant production and management skills. It prepares students for careers in landscape management, greenhouse production and propagation, arboriculture, sports field management, and nursery management. Potential careers in the field include: Nursery Technician or Manager, Production or Propagation Technician or Manager, First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Care, and Groundskeeping, Small Business Owner.

Upon successful completion of the Horticulture - Irrigation Technician certificate, the student will demonstrate skills, knowledge, and training necessary to take the Irrigation Association's: Certified Irrigation Technician, Certified Water Auditor, and/or Certified Irrigation Contractors exams, and to gain employment as a(n): Irrigation Technician, Landscape Manager or Groundskeeper, or Landscape Contractor. The student will demonstrate skills and understanding of landscape plant health and growth requirements, common landscape maintenance practices, and irrigation component repair.

Upon successful completion of the Horticulture - Landscape Arborist Certificate of Achievement, the student will demonstrate skills, knowledge, and training necessary to take the exam for the Tree Care Industry Association's Tree Care Specialist Credential, obtain Chainsaw Safety Certification, and to gain entry-level employment or career advancement in tree care, ground operations, or climbing. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in the areas of: safety, tree biology and identification, pruning, transplanting, fertilizing, cabling and bracing, lightning protection, and plant health care. Student learning and performance will reflect industry standards, with focus on work-based learning opportunities.

Upon successful completion of the Horticulture - Nursery Management certificate, the student will demonstrate skills, knowledge, and training in preparation to take the Plant California Alliance- California Certified Nursery Professional (CCN Pro) exam, and to gain entry-level or to advance employment positions such as: retail salesperson, production or propagation manager, nursery manager, grower, and small business owner. The student will demonstrate the skills and abilities to: perform essential plant care for greenhouse and nursery crops, such as transplanting, fertilizing, propagating, and pruning, identify, diagnose, and treat common plant pests, apply skilled plant selection assistance, and develop crop scheduling and production plans.

Upon successful completion of the Horticulture - Sustainable Landscape Management certificate, the student will demonstrate skills, knowledge, and training to take the California's Landscape Association Certified Technician exam, or to gain or advance employment in entry-level positions as a: supervisor of landscape and groundskeeping workers, landscape installer, groundskeeper, landscape contractor, or small business owner. The student will demonstrate the skills and abilities to: perform essential plant care, such as transplanting, fertilizing, mowing, and pruning, identify, diagnose, and treat common plant pests, develop project bids and basic landscape designs, and implement landscape projects.