The A.A.S. degree program in Ornamental Horticulture meets the objectives of students preparing to enter the business of nursery, landscaping operations, turf management, or golf course maintenance. The diversified training required for employment in nursery, landscape operations, turf management or golf course maintenance is provided in the program. Student specialization will be enhanced by the full-time job training experiences that are included in the program.

Nature of Work
Workers in landscaping and golf course maintenance occupations are responsible for the variety of tasks necessary to achieve a pleasant and functional outdoor environment. Applying pesticides, installing irrigation equipment, fertilizing, and mowing are but a few of the many areas of knowledge required by golf course workers. Landscape designing, construction and maintenance are also included in their tasks. Landscaping designers develop a planting plan showing the kind of plants and their location at the customers home, etc. Landscaper contractors install the plants, fences, and decks indicated on the landscape plan. Landscape maintenance workers will fertilize, prune, and repair existing landscapes to keep them looking great. Turf maintenance workers mow and apply pesticides to home lawns. Groundskeepers maintain a variety of facilities including athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, university campuses, and parks. Golf course workers are responsible for maintaining all the golf course grounds.

Jobs
Graduates interested in working on golf courses usually start as an assistant superintendent or a landscape foreman and are responsible for three or more crew members. Irrigation technicians install and repair golf courses and residential irrigation systems. Pesticide applicators select the correct chemicals and then apply them in an environmentally conscience way.

Employers
Golf courses and landscape companies employ most graduates. Garden centers, cemeteries, parks, sod farms, plant nurseries and athletic fields also hire graduates for them Ornamental Horticulture program.

Outlook
Employment of landscaping, grounds keeping, and lawn service workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006 in response to increasing demand for landscaping and related services. Expected growth in the construction of commercial and industrial buildings, shopping malls, homes, highways and recreational facilities should contribute to the demand.

Earnings
Nationally, landscapers and groundskeepers had median weekly earnings of about $300 in 1996. In Illinois, wages for laborers, landscapers, and groundskeepers were $6.70-13.20/hr. Locally, entry level landscape workers will earn $14,000-$18,000/yr. Assistant golf course superintendents start between $16,000-$20,000 annually. Entry level pay is higher in Chicago and northern Illinois areas.

Tech Prep
Ornamental Horticulture is currently designed for Tech Prep. Students in High School should contact their High School Counselor.

Earnings vary greatly according to location, experience, and individual.