Horticulture
Horticulture – Ornamental Specialty
General description: Ornamental Horticulture is a profession that combines the creativity of design with the knowledge of science and the practical experience of making projects successful.
Students will gain a thorough knowledge and practical experience in landscape design, landscape maintenance, greenhouse production, integrated pest management, tree and shrub
maintenance, mechanics, and landscape construction.
Horticulture – Sustainability Agriculture Specialty
General description: Interest in local food systems including farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture and direct sales from the farm has created a need for more local production of sustainable horticultural food crops. This field of study is designed to provide the entrepreneurial and technical skills necessary to manage a profitable, environmentally sound, community-based small farm or agricultural business. Students will learn the fundamentals of sustainable agriculture, focusing on crop production, sustainable livestock production and farm business with an emphasis on practical field training on the student farm located on the Richland campus.
Aptitudes
Individuals in this field must enjoy planting, building, constructing, painting, lettering, designing, and working with their hands. Individuals should like to operate all types of power equipment and landscape tools and be able to make and carry out decisions. Individuals must be able to work with people and plants in an outdoor setting.
Outlook
The horticulture industry in Illinois is widespread, playing a critical role in the environment by providing a vast array of landscape products and services. The horticulture industry represents one of the fastest growing service-related occupations in Illinois. Future employment is open for qualified individuals.
Career and Transfer Education Options
These are career and technical education programs. Some of the courses may not transfer to four-year institutions. For those interested in pursuing a certificate or degree, the following two career-laddering options are available:
- Associate in Applied Science in Horticulture - Floriculture Specialty
- Associate in Applied Science in Horticulture - Ornamental Specialty
- Basic Certificate - Floral Design
- Basic Certificate - Greenhouse
- Basic Certificate - Landscape & Turf
Baccalaureate Transfer Option
Guaranteed Transfer Agreement
Richland Community College and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign have formed a cooperative relationship through a guaranteed transfer agreement. Any student who has completed the prescribed Guaranteed Transfer Agreement at RCC (with the required 2.50 GPA and foreign language requirement) and submits required application and supporting documentation will automatically be admitted to UIUC at the junior level in the prescribed field of study in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES). For more information, contact Enrollment Services.
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign fields of study include:
- Agriculture
- Agribusiness
- Animal Science
- Communication and Education
- Crop Science
- Food Science
- Forest Science
- Horticulture
- Human Development
- Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences
- Technical Systems Management
For Further Information
For additional information, contact the Business and Technology Division at Richland Community College, Room C242, or (217) 875-7211, ext. 475.
