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BACKGROUND
Luther Burbank was a famous horticulturist who spent
his life searching for ways to improve plant quality so the world's food supply
could be increased. In 1875 he left his home in Massachusetts and moved to
California to take advantage of the year-round growing climate. He settled in
Santa Rosa and established his nursery. Here he conducted plant breeding
experiments that brought him world-wide recognition. When he died in 1926, at
the age of 77, he had introduced more than 800 new plant varieties. Today,
Horticulturists who follow in his footsteps continue striving to make the fruit
and vegetables on our table more nutritious, our gardens more beautiful and our
environment healthier.
THE JOB HORTICULTURISTS are agricultural scientists dedicated to
finding better ways to grow, harvest, store, process and ship fruits, vegetables
and ornamental plants. Also concerned with insuring healthy and hardy plants,
they work with plant pathologists and other experts to develop plants that
resist disease and grow well in all climates. The field of horticulture is both
dynamic and exciting.
Horticulturists have opportunities to work in many
interesting, challenging and different areas. Horticulturists who want to remain
rooted to their profession work in nursery production. These specialists in
"growing" know everything about plants. They are experts in all parts
of plant cultivation and propagation including seeding, cutting, layering,
budding, and grafting.
They also protect the plants from pests and diseases.
Individuals who enjoy meeting people and sharing their plant knowledge might
find their niche working in garden centers, the retail arm of the field. Serving
as a link between the nursery industry and the plant buying public,
Horticulturists can work as buyers, landscape designers or as managers.
Floriculturists, those who specialize in flowers, bedding and potted plants,
will find challenges in floral design and wholesale and retail florist work.
Landscape designers work with both commercial and residential customers and have
opportunities to convert clients' visions and dreams into reality.
Landscape
maintenance specialists work to maintain and protect the beauty of established
landscaping.
Horticultural Therapists know just how therapeutic plants and
gardening can be, and they plan therapy projects to help senior citizens and
those with emotional and physical disabilities.
Still even more Horticulturists
have rewarding careers working as:
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working conditions for Horticulturists vary
with the type of work being done. A Horticulturist doing research may spend most
of the workday at a desk, in an experimental greenhouse, or out in a test field.
On the other hand, a Horticulturist providing landscaping sales or services
probably works most of the time in the garden-like surroundings of a retail
nursery or outdoors in a public park or on a golf course.
On the down side,
Horticulturists may encounter noxious smells or be exposed to potentially
hazardous chemicals. Persons allergic to certain plants, pollens, or
agricultural chemicals may not be able to work in this occupation.
Horticultural
occupations can be adapted for workers with disabilities. With the founding of
the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) in 1973 the horticultural
industry has become a leader in assisting both disabled workers and employers.
Horticulture Hiring the Disabled (HHD), the national employment project of AHTA,
has assisted placing over 12,000 qualified employees in the horticulture
industry.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the
California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information
Division. The figures represent the broad occupational group Agricultural and
Food Scientists which includes Horticulturists.
| Estimated number of workers in
1990 |
1,560 |
| Estimated number of workers in 2005 |
1,990 |
| Projected Growth 1990-2005 |
28% |
| Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 |
810 |
(These figures do not
include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
The California
Association of Nurserymen reports our State's Horticultural industry commands
more than a quarter of the nation's wholesale nursery production and retail
sales. The association expects that increasing environmental concerns combined
with California's population growth and the continuing urbanization and
resulting residential and commercial development will positively affect career
opportunities in this field.
Information furnished by the California Polytechnic
(Cal Poly) State University at San Luis Obispo Horticultural Department shows
industry demand for their graduates outstrips the supply and at least 4 to 5
positions await each graduate.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Horticulturists follow a
variety of different career paths, and salaries vary considerably. A 1995 survey
conducted by the Farm Employers Labor Service for the California Association of
Nurserymen showed an average annual salary of $33,444 for a horticultural crop
supervisor. The federal government typically starts beginning Horticulturists in
California between $19,081 to $23,634 a year depending on the job candidate's
academic record and job experience. The State Department of Food and Agriculture
beginning salary for fruit and Vegetable Quality Control Inspectors is about
$27,950.
Horticulturists generally work a 40-hour week. Although there are
seasonal aspects to some types of jobs, most Horticulturists work
year-round.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Employers hiring professional
Horticulturists prefer to hire those with a bachelor's degree in horticulture or
a closely related agricultural science. Specialized course work or prior
experience usually determines the field of horticulture entered. A number of
public universities and colleges in California grant bachelor degrees in
horticulture with two of the campuses offering graduate studies.
Over half of
the community colleges throughout the State offer associate degrees in
horticulture. High school students preparing for college horticultural study
should take chemistry, biology, botany and other recommended mathematics and
science courses.
Agricultural courses if available would also be valuable. Those
considering a career in this field might also want to tour the Luther Burbank
Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa. Visitors can see the gardens, free of charge,
every day of the year. From April through October the carriage house museum is
open and docent-led tours are offered every half hour.
ADVANCEMENT
Most advancement is to positions in management and
supervision. Horticulturists specializing in the development and use of products
to assist growers may promote to marketing positions. Specialists in plant types
may manage plant-growing operations or retail outlets such as nurseries. Some
become self-employed as growers or as consultants in the use of plants.
Many
government positions for horticulturists provide promotional opportunities as
supervisor or department manager. Colleges and universities have career ladders
leading to full professorship for those with advanced degrees.
FINDING THE JOB
Part-time or summer job experience often leads
to full-time jobs with the same employer. Job seekers interested in Plant
Inspector positions with the federal government should contact the United States
Department of Agriculture. Those interested in working for the State can contact
the California Department of Food and Agriculture. University horticultural
departments maintain placement services for local and statewide jobs. The
California Employment Development Department Job Service may also be a source of
employment opportunities for Horticulturists.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
California Association of
Nurserymen
4620 Northgate Blvd., Suite 155 Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 567-0200
American Horticultural Society
7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 768-5700
American Horticultural Therapy Association
362 A Christopher Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-3600
(301) 948-3010
FAX (301) 869-2397
Information from:
http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/horticul.htm
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