SMCCME

The Horticulture program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of horticultural occupations, such as tree, shrub and perennial plant nurseries, arboreta, greenhouses, garden centers, landscape contracting and design, municipal parks, arboriculture, turf production, golf course management, lawn and grounds maintenance, florist shops, interior landscaping, estate gardening, cut flower production, herb and specialty plant production, market gardening, organic food production, horticultural equipment supplies and sales, and horticulture education. Many graduates own businesses and contribute significantly to their communities.

The Horticulture program is a hands-on, broad based curriculum, which provides or sponsors additional opportunities, including: tuition scholarships for students who qualify, educational field experiences, visiting lecturers with expertise in horticulture and related fields, and short courses that introduce students to specialized topics presented by members of the "green industry."

Graduates from the program can transfer credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Landscape Horticulture through the College of Natural Resources, Forestry and Agriculture at the University of Maine in Orono; in Applied Technical Leadership at the University of Southern Maine; and in Business Administration at Husson College. Credits often transfer to other colleges with similar programs.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Understand and apply the basic principles of plant function and development, emphasizing horticultural applications.
• Learn and practice techniques to analyze soil properties and use these methods to optimize plant growth.
• Identify, use and care for a wide variety of woody and herbaceous plants in the landscape and greenhouse, emphasizing ecological relationships and the importance of plant selection and planting practices.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of landscape site analysis and landscape design using surveying equipment, and drafting and graphics tools.
• Identify common horticultural problems and manage biotic and abiotic pests and disorders in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner.
• Apply horticultural practices to operate various business entities, including landscape, arborist, greenhouse, nursery and turf management areas.
• Use knowledge and skills in a summer-long internship that emphasizes the student's interests.

Curriculum

Recommended High School Courses

Algebra I
College Prep Biology
College Prep Chemistry