Horticulture combines art and skill with science and technology for growing and distributing ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables. Our landscapes, homes, and public buildings are adorned with horticulture. It enriches our lives through varied diets and physical activities from gardening; improves our environment; and enhances our mental well-being by providing shade, air filters, and noise barriers.
Horticulture is a diverse field with various career options. Since you may not know which of these areas you will major in, the first two years of study are standard for all areas of horticulture. This allows you to change from one area to another during this period without taking additional classes to complete your degree. During the first two years you will be developing the broad foundation that you need by taking courses in horticulture, botany, chemistry, soils, mathematics, economics, English, communications, and general education.
During your last two years you will take courses in computer science or statistics, entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, genetics, and business. However, a greater emphasis during this period will be placed on horticulture specialization courses to prepare you for the career area you have chosen. In addition, you will complete an internship requirement or graduation.
The horticulture program is located in the newly constructed Throckmorton Hall. High-tech teaching and research facilities are available to students in horticulture. Opportunities exist for students to work with individual faculty members on independent studies as varied as basic research to development of extension materials, to growing plants in the greenhouses or research fields.
The department offers two program options: horticulture and horticultural science. The horticulture option is designed for students who want to enter a professional career in the horticultural industry. Opportunities exist within private production firms, public gardens, allied trade industries, and the service areas of turf and landscape management. Horticulture science prepares students for graduate studies with the inclusion of more science courses.
Students completing the horticulture option are also prepared for graduate studies. Graduate studies provide career opportunities in the cooperative extension service, land-grand universities, private industry research, and consulting firms.
Students in horticulture might also consider pursuing a minor in entomology, plant pathology, or business. Advisors will be able to provide students with information regarding these programs.
Fruit/vegetable management
Employment opportunities include owner or manager of a fruit or vegetable farm;
field representative for processing, agricultural chemical, or equipment
companies; and manager, buyer, field representative, or broker in marketing.
Greenhouse management
Career opportunities exist in wholesale or retail production of potted or cut
flower crops. Many students obtain positions with the allied trades (e.g.,
seed breeding companies, supply firms, trade magazines), botanical gardens,
garden centers, retail floral shops, and wholesale marketers.
Landscape design
This expanding field allows students with artistic capabilities to work in the
horticulture arena. Landscape designers are sought by garden centers,
botanical gardens, arboreta, landscape maintenance and installation firms,
nurseries, and governmental bodies. Private consulting is also a
possibility. Some jobs will involve consumer relations and retail sales.
Nursery management
Propagation and production of trees and shrubs for the landscape is only one
aspect of nursery management. Garden center and retail sales, allied
trades of agrichemical and supplies sales, and governmental positions are open
to students interested in nursery management.
Landscape and turf management
Opportunities abound in residential and commercial landscape care, as well as
managing turf at parks, cemeteries, race tracks, schools, and other areas.
Sports turf management is an area that is experiencing growth and offers many
opportunities.
Horticulture Science
This option is intended for those who plan to work on a graduate degree.
Universities, state and federal agencies, and industries need trained scientists
who can teach, conduct research, and communicate research findings to the public
to increase the production and effective use of horticultural products.
Many who earn the master of science degree work as consultants, technical
representatives, community college instructors, and county extension
agents. Those earning a doctorate degree work at universities, the USDA,
and industry farms.
Required courses build upon the science base of the horticulture option. Calculus, biochemistry, physics, and statistics are required. Horticulture electives in this option are more flexible so you and your advisor can tailor your program closely to meet your needs.
Horticulture faculty are dedicated to providing the best education possible and are experienced in their disciplines. Faculty have experience from across the United States and internationally. Teaching and research are coordinated with a strong extension program.
Advising is a major emphasis in horticulture. A department faculty member assists each student in determining a program of study that fits the student's interests and needs. Special emphasis is given to exploring employment opportunities so an effective program of study can be established.
The K-State Horticulture Club provides an arena for students of similar interests. This national award-winning club sponsors fund-raising projects; provides horticultural experiences for members; and schedules recreational and social functions for both students and faculty, field trips and guest speakers from the horticultural industry. The club also attends state, regional, and national professional meetings. The K-State Horticulture Club is part of the Mid-American Collegiate Horticulture Society and the Association of Collegiate Branches of the American Society for Horticultural Science.
Students who excel academically may be invited to join the Omega chapter of Pi Alpha Xi, the horticulture honor society. Pi Alpha Xi National sponsors the National Intercollegiate Floral Crops Quality Evaluation and Intercollegiate Floral Design Contest, to which the Omega chapter sends a team. This activity allows students, working one-on-one with faculty, to develop a better understanding of plant quality and evaluation of plant material.
For information, submit inquiries regarding the Horticulture program to Diana Edmonds, Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University, 1028 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, KS 66506-5506. 785-532-6923, e-mail: dedmonds@oznet.ksu.edu.
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