 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Job and Career Postings
Check out The Land Lovers.org website for complete career information and job postings.
Prepared by the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association 2005
The Horticulture Industry in Maryland (also referred to as the Nursery and Landscape Industry)
Includes wholesale and retail production, sales, installation, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, bedding plants/annuals, seasonal greenhouse crops, aquatic plants, cut flowers, and Christmas trees.
Ornamental/ Environmental Plants
Includes all plants used for improving interior and exterior spaces. A few of these uses include soil stabilization, wetland restoration, native plant restoration, habitat, wind breaks, shade, sound barriers, dust filtering, pollution abatement, "air conditioning", nutrient management, traffic control, highway safety, building site amenities, and any imaginable use.
#1 Agricultural Crop in Maryland
Nursery & Greenhouse crops are the number one agricultural crop in Maryland. Annual sales from production on 10,000 acres exceed $140 million. Maryland's Horticulture Industry generates over $ 1.2 billion in sales annually.
Second Largest Agricultural Commodity in Maryland
Nursery & Greenhouse crops is second only to poultry among Maryland's agricultural commodities.
Employ Over 15,000
The Horticulture Industry employs over 15,000 people both seasonally and full time in Maryland. The average pay for labor exceeds minimum wage by $3.00/hr.
There are many employment opportunities available in Horticulture in Maryland.
Jobs in Horticulture
Just a few of the management and staff opportunities include Propagation, Growing, IPM/Pest Control, Nutrient Management, Field Production, Container Production, Greenhouse Production, Aquatic Plant Production, Tissue Culture, and Garden Center Operations.
Jobs in Landscape
Management and staff positions related to landscape operations include Designers/ Architects, Estimators/ Sales Staff, Plant/Supply Buyers, Production, Operations, Maintenance, and IPM/Pest Control.
Jobs in Business Operations and Support
Horticultural businesses also require support staff. Support activities include office management, business management, human resource management, marketing, sales and tech. administration. Business partners are equally import for providing continuing education, research & development, extension, legislative review & action, and are often provided by Associations, Colleges and Institutions.
Entry Level
The following skills are necessary for entry-level positions: Reading, math, language, positive work ethic, understand and follow directions well, and teaming skills.
Intermediate
The following skills are necessary for intermediate-level positions: Job experience, community college credits, industry certifications, continuing education, vocational classes, club/association activities, drivers license, equipment certifications, technology training
Management
The following skills are necessary for management-level positions: College degrees in ornamental/ environmental horticulture, landscape, and plant related majors, industry certifications, job experience, continuing education, club and association activities, technology training
There are many undergraduate majors that are relevant to horticulture. Just a few include: Ornamental Horticulture, Environmental Horticulture, Landscape Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Plant Physiology, Botany, Landscape Gardening, Botanical Garden Management, Greenhouse Management, Floriculture, Nutrient Management, and Horticultural Therapy. Below are links to some of the programs offered by local colleges and universities:
Maryland
University of Maryland
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Institute of Applied Agriculture - Plant Science
Certificate Program in Horticulture
Community College of Baltimore County
Horticulture
Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture
Anne Arundel Community College
Certificate in Landscape Architecture
Delaware
University of Delaware
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania
Delaware Valley College
Horticulture Department
Penn State University
Department of Horticulture
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Department of Horticulture
Northern Virginia Community College
Horticulture Technology Program
Landscape Design Specialization
Job and Career Postings
Check out The Land Lovers.org website for complete career information and job postings.
The Horticulture Industry is the fastest growing segment within Agriculture. Mechanization, technology, business management, and marketing are among the most important future needs for the industry.
If you have questions regarding careers within the Horticulture Industry, contact area middle and high school guidance counselors, people working within the industry, associations, clubs, community colleges, universities, trade schools, and local, state, and federal agencies.
Note: All statistical data cited from The Maryland Horticulture Industry 2000 – A Statistical Profile and Economic Survey
