Horticulture, Landscape & Turf Concentration, AAS

Location(s): Ankeny

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The DMACC Horticulture program provides students with technical training in the broad horticultural field through the classroom, greenhouse, landscape, turf area, tree nursery, and practical on-the-job employment experiences.

The Horticulture program offers concentrations of Production, Landscape, and Turf. Graduates of the program are prepared to take on a diverse range of jobs available in each of these disciplines. Employment may be found at a wholesale operation or at a retail garden center, food crop producer or nursery, where you will find yourself growing and selling plants. If a student loves to work in a greenhouse, there are opportunities in large-scale corporate setting or at smaller production and/or garden center operations that would include working with seasonal flowers and vegetables. Landscape and Turf graduates could find themselves working for municipalities, golf courses, residential design-build firms, lawn maintenance companies or even start their own business. These positions may offer the opportunity to design, install and maintain plantings and hardscapes.

Program Details

Pathway: Agriculture, Animals, & Natural Resources

More information on this Pathway.

Students may start this program Fall semester

Program Graduation Requirements

To earn a Horticulture, Landscape & Turf Concentration, AAS, a student must complete all required coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 1

AGH 106 - Introduction to Horticulture Credits: 3
AGH 123 - Woody Plant Materials Credits: 3
AGH 142 - Landscape Construction Credits: 3
AGC 314 - Leadership in Agriculture Credits: 2
AGH 159 - Landscape Graphics Credits: 2
Select 1 credit from Option 1 Credits: 1

Option 1 - Select 1 Credit

SDV 108 - The College Experience Credits: 1
SDV 129 - Transition to College Credits: 1

Total Credits for Semester 1: 14

Semester 2

AGH 112 - Intro to Turfgrass Management Credits: 3
AGH 154 - Residential Landscape Design Credits: 3
AGH 805 - Horticulture Internship I Credits: 2
MAT 772 - Applied Math Credits: 3
Select 3 credits from Option 2 Credits: 3

Option 2 - Select 3 Credits

AGH 132 - Introduction to Greenhouse Credits: 3
AGH 233 - Plant Propagation I Credits: 3

Semester 3

AGH 120 - Herbaceous Plant Materials Credits: 3
AGH 156 - Landscape Design II Credits: 3
AGH 253 - Insects and Diseases Credits: 3
Option 3 - Select 3 Credits Credits: 3

Option 3 - Select 3 Credits

AGH 262 - Fruit and Vegetable Science Credits: 3
AGH 272 - Nursery Production I Credits: 3

Semester 4

ENV 115 - Environmental Science Credits: 3
AGH 200 - Landscape Estimating & Bidding Credits: 2
AGH 211 - Advanced Turfgrass Management Credits: 3
AGH 283 - Pesticide Application Cert Credits: 2
Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Communications Credits: 3
Select 3 credits from Option 3 Credits: 3-4

Option 4 - Select 4 Credits

BIO 104 - Introductory Biology w/lab Credits: 3
BIO 112 - General Biology I Credits: 4
CHM 122 - Intro to General Chemistry Credits: 4
CHM 165 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
PHY 106 - Survey of Physics Credits: 4

Semester 5

AGH 281 - Arboriculture Credits: 3
AGH 291 - Hort. Business Operations Credits: 3
AGH 912 - Current Topics in Hort. Credits: 1
Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Social and Behavioral Science/Humanities Credits: 3
Select 3 credits from Option 5 Credits: 3

Option 5 - Select 3 Credits

ACC 104 - Fundamentals of Bookkeeping Credits: 3
BUS 102 - Introduction to Business Credits: 3
BUS 138 - Small Business Marketing Credits: 3
BUS 141 - Small Business Start-Up Credits: 3
BUS 148 - Small Business Management Credits: 3
FIN 121 - Personal Finance Credits: 3
MGT 101 - Principles of Management Credits: 3
MKT 110 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3

Total Credits Required to Complete this Award: 69

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$185.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Semester 5
Books (approximate)	205	300	105	185	375
Supplies	105	15	15	15
Equipment	135
Field Trips	80	55	105

Approximate total cost for the program: $14,460 **

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Care for and maintain grounds, trees, plants, gardens, shrubbery and other greenery.
Plan and install landscapes.
Pest control for plants.
Production and/or sales of commercial horticultural plants and products.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Work independently.
Demonstrate your knowledge of plant materials and use of horticulture terminology, skills and equipment.
Deal with people in a pleasant, businesslike way.
Use math in the selling and purchasing of materials and supplies and for calculating chemical/fertilizer applications.
Physical ability to perform horticulture tasks.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?

Need access to transportation for employment experience.
There is much variety in this work due to seasonal changes; may work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
Allergies to plants and pollen can be a problem.
Entry-level positions usually involve some level of physical activity and you are sometimes on your feet long hours.
Average starting salary is $29,760 (BLS.gov)

Program Competencies

Identify factors that influence plant growth
Correlate soil characteristics with their impacts on plant growth
Classify native and local horticulture plants by common name and scientific names
Demonstrate understanding of plant taxonomy, morphology, physiology and pathology
Determine proper plant selection, planting, pruning and other cultural practices
Establish positive safety practices and procedures
Install quality hardscapes
Maintain landscape and turf areas
Demonstrate effective landscape design techniques
Demonstrate basic job and human relation skills

AY2023

Nondiscrimination Statement

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, dso@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, Title9@dmacc.edu. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at https://www.dmacc.edu/pathways/.₍₂₀₂₁₎