Horticulture & Natural Resources

Program Instructor:

John Harmer  Phone Number: (802) 885-8329 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General Program Description:

This two-year program is for the student considering a career in landscaping, arboriculture, forestry, or greenhouse management.  Students spend much of their time outside in our on-site nursery, greenhouse, and school landscapes. Students are also exposed to offsite work experiences on several community landscapes, woodlots, and fruit orchards, where they develop skills to get an immediate job.  Students also have the opportunity to become a member of the FFA and develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.

Tree Care Service, Landscaping services, Forestry Careers, and Greenhouse management. 

Program Highlights: 

• Industry Recognized Credentials include; Game of Logging Levels 1,2,3, 

• National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program

• Personal Finance

• First Aid and CPR


Horticulture and Natural Resources  Level I

Credit: 3-4 elective credits

Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12 (10th with Instructor Permission)

Prerequisites: None

Scheduled Class Time: Full-year; 2 hours per day 7:45 AM to 9:45 AM 

Highlights:

Level One Horticulture and Natural Resources students spend the entire school year learning the skills needed to gain entry-level positions in numerous horticulture and natural resource businesses, ranging from nursery and greenhouse production to urban forestry to landscaping operations. Students are first introduced to skills on the thirty-acre land lab at the Center. Students are taught technical skills and are introduced to the employability skills most desired by business and industry. Students are involved in the FFA chapter and are encouraged to develop a Supervised Agricultural Experience project that applies or enhances classroom learning.

Horticulture and Natural Resources Level II

Credit: 2-3 Elective Credit

Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12

Prerequisites: Grade of 70 or better in Horticulture and Natural Resources I or written instructor permission

Scheduled Class Time: Full-year; 2 hours per day 11:40 PM to 1:40 PM

Level II Highlights:

Horticulture and Natural Resources Level Two students spend the entire year applying the skills learned in Level I to real-world situations. Working closely with local and regional businesses and industry, students are involved in several community projects ranging from landscape plantings to tree care operations to conservation practices. Students are assessed on the quality and quantity of the projects they complete, employability skills, involvement in the FFA, and worksite performance.

Post Secondary Opportunities

• Associate of Science (A.S.) - Environmental Science

• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) - Landscape Design and Sustainable Horticulture

• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) - Forest Technology

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Diversified Agriculture

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Forestry

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) -  Natural Resources


Career Opportunities:

• Arborist

• Florist
• Landscape Construction

• Nursery Operation

• Greenhouse Production

• Property Management

• Forester

• Landscape Designer

• Natural Resources Management


Dual Enrollment / Postsecondary Agreements:

Vermont Technical College - LAH 1030 - Woody Ornamentals

Course Description: This course covers the identification of approximately 90-120 native and cultivated woody plants found in northern New England. In addition, plant nomenclature; plant characteristics and requirements (environmental, cultural, and design/ornamental); plant associations; and horticultural and planting design issues are explored. Emphasis is on both plant identification and plant selection. Drawing as part of learning is encouraged. Offered every other year.

Embedded Academic Credit: Science 

Industry Recognized Credentials:

• Game of Logging Chainsaw Safety Training Level 1, 2, 3 

• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry - Agriculture

• Community First Aid/CPR/AED - American Heart Association

• Pesticide Applicator Certification

• Worker Protection Standards - EPA 

• National Safe Tractor & Machinery Operation - NSTMOP


(Draft)
Vermont Career Technical Education (CTE) Program Critical Proficiencies

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jvsfcU6Zyj9ggXEhDml-Xbx5a7kIZfGR/view?usp=sharing

Program Advisory Members and Organization:

• Jason Farnsworth - US Army Corps of Engineers

• Mark Germain - Creative Contour

• Doug Johnstone - Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Nat. Resources

• John McVeeney - Sunshine Acres Nursery and Garden Center

• Michelle Delhaye - Vermont Master Gardener

Student/Parent Quotes:

“Pretty cool both of our boys went to the tech center and went to Vermont Tech and both have competed at nationals!  Amazing what a good teacher can do!”

Pre Tech Foundations/Intro Course Description - Springfield High Only

Introduction To Horticulture
½ credit
Instructor: Mr. Harmer

For the student who enjoys the great outdoors, has an interest in learning about plants, and prefers learning by doing, this may be the class for you!  Want a green thumb?  Our greenhouse provides students with the experience of what it would be like to work in a greenhouse or florist shop.  How about a class where you climb trees using a rope and saddle?  Students learn firsthand the industry practices used in tree care and urban landscaping and nursery operation through hands-on experience in our nursery and school landscapes.

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