ALT-1 Career Options through Agricultural Studies and Schools
The word horticulture comes from a Latin word meaning "garden cultivation", (hortus [garden] and culture [cultivation]). Today, the horticulture industry is very complex. It includes the cultivation, processing and sales of fruits, nuts, vegetables, houseplants, ornamental plants, and flowers. The horticulture industry contributes billions of dollars to the United States economy every year.
Some of the divisions of horticulture include Pomology, which is the science and practice of growing, harvesting, handling, processing and marketing of fruit trees. Olericulture is the science and practice of growing, harvesting, storing and marketing vegetables. Floriculture is the science of growing, harvesting, designing and marketing flowering plants. The landscape and nursery industry involves the science and practice of propagating, growing, installing and maintaining the landscape using grasses, annual and perennial plants, shrubs and trees.
Jobs in horticulture can involve businesses which include greenhouses, nurseries, garden centers, golf courses, parks, orchards, vineyards, floral design shops, grounds maintenance operations for real estate properties and fruit and vegetable growers. There is a wide variety of opportunities in this vast field for those who are interested in it. The job satisfaction can be great, and there's always room to grow and learn about your specific field of expertise.
Greenhouse employees usually work indoors. The workers grow vegetables and flowers inside a heated and/or cooled greenhouse. Their jobs include the growing and nurturing of out-of-season vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. Workers also grow potted plants, house plants and bedding plants for gardens. Preparing the soil for these different types of plants is also necessary.
A nursery employee grows seedlings and plants for the landscape. Fruit trees, landscaping trees and shrubs, and trees for replanting forests are grown at the nursery. Most of the worker's time is spent outdoors. This work is usually considered manual labor, and some jobs involve heavy lifting. A degree in agriculture or horticulture is usually preferred.
A city, state or national park employee does whatever work is needed for the proper maintenance of parks. This usually includes caring for the trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns making up the area. The job of the park employee would be mowing the grass, trimming and edging walks and driveways, planting, pruning and caring for the trees, shrubs, hedges, lawns and flower beds. Other jobs may include controlling insect pests and weeds, and also caring for the soil. The removal of trash and snow, maintaining swimming pools, caring for boating facilities, general maintenance of buildings and the repair of roadways and driveways may also be included in the job description.
For people who love nature and the outdoors, these types of jobs would probably suit them superbly. And for those who have college degrees in agriculture and other related fields, there's even more work available in government jobs such as those with the U.S, Department of Agriculture and the Wildlife, Fish and Game Departments. Research the job market in your state on-line, or personally visit your local Forestry and/or Agricultural Departments. You might find a job you will make a good living at and love at the same time!
