Suggestions for where to look for a horticulture degree?
February 20, 2016 1:51 PM Subscribe
I've decided to see what I can do about some form of advanced education. I'm looking at a degree in horticulture but I'm somewhat stuck beyond that.
I've always loved plants and I'm interested in turning it into something I might be able to do as a way to earn more than a cursory living.
I'm especially interested in productive agriculture, plants that can be used or eaten.
The issue is I don't really have a strong academic background. It's been at least 15 years since I've done any sort of school and I have serious trouble with mathematics. I likely don't qualify for somewhere prestigious.
What's a good school I might look into? What sorts of jobs might I expect with a horticulture degree? Is there a point to look into something beyond a bachelors?
I've always loved plants and I'm interested in turning it into something I might be able to do as a way to earn more than a cursory living.
I'm especially interested in productive agriculture, plants that can be used or eaten.
The issue is I don't really have a strong academic background. It's been at least 15 years since I've done any sort of school and I have serious trouble with mathematics. I likely don't qualify for somewhere prestigious.
What's a good school I might look into? What sorts of jobs might I expect with a horticulture degree? Is there a point to look into something beyond a bachelors?
Assuming the location in your profile is correct, I would get in touch with the folks at UCLA Extension. Extension programs are aimed at non-traditional students, and even if you don't end up going for a degree through them, my experience with Extension has generally been that they are helpful folks who place a strong emphasis on outreach, so they might be able to point you in the right direction. (I don't know anyone specifically at the UCLA program, though, sorry!)
posted by rainbowbrite at 2:29 PM on February 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by rainbowbrite at 2:29 PM on February 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
In Colorado, the state school in Ft. Collins is highly regarded for Agricultural Sciences:
http://agsci.colostate.edu/
posted by nickggully at 2:37 PM on February 20, 2016
http://agsci.colostate.edu/
posted by nickggully at 2:37 PM on February 20, 2016
Although I can't necessarily speak to your agricultural interests, I do know a little bit about horticulture degrees. I have an A.S. that I earned from a technical branch of a major university and a B.S. that I received from a prestigious university.
The issue is I don't really have a strong academic background. It's been at least 15 years since I've done any sort of school and I have serious trouble with mathematics. I likely don't qualify for somewhere prestigious.
When I went back to school later in life, I was 30-something years old and had many doubts about my academic abilities. But I started out taking classes at a local community college and really worked hard (with many trips to the profs office hours) to learn how to be a student again. And believe it or not, math became my friend. ;)
I never imagined that I would be able to graduate with any sort of degree when I started, but my love for plants just kept me going through both degrees. In other words, I was capable of a lot more than I had ever given myself credit for. And if I can do it, anyone can, including you.
As far as schools in California are concerned, a great choice would be UC Davis, as it is arguably the best agriculture school in the West.
I'd be happy to share my academic experience with you. Memail me if you wish.
Good luck!
posted by strelitzia at 3:00 PM on February 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
The issue is I don't really have a strong academic background. It's been at least 15 years since I've done any sort of school and I have serious trouble with mathematics. I likely don't qualify for somewhere prestigious.
When I went back to school later in life, I was 30-something years old and had many doubts about my academic abilities. But I started out taking classes at a local community college and really worked hard (with many trips to the profs office hours) to learn how to be a student again. And believe it or not, math became my friend. ;)
I never imagined that I would be able to graduate with any sort of degree when I started, but my love for plants just kept me going through both degrees. In other words, I was capable of a lot more than I had ever given myself credit for. And if I can do it, anyone can, including you.
As far as schools in California are concerned, a great choice would be UC Davis, as it is arguably the best agriculture school in the West.
I'd be happy to share my academic experience with you. Memail me if you wish.
Good luck!
posted by strelitzia at 3:00 PM on February 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
The land grant school(s) in your state will almost certainly have a strong Ag program, as it's usually in their charter. Also in state and public will minimize costs, to the extent any higher ed costs can be minimized these days. As mentioned above, consider doing some community college to get back into the swing of academics and knock off some general ed requirements at about 1/3 the cost.
posted by COD at 4:15 PM on February 20, 2016
posted by COD at 4:15 PM on February 20, 2016
This page for students majoring in horticulture has info on potential job titles, employers, salary stats, and job postings.
posted by belladonna at 4:29 PM on February 20, 2016
posted by belladonna at 4:29 PM on February 20, 2016
My general understanding is that the University of Guelph in Canada is the gold standard for horticulture degrees.
posted by 256 at 6:05 PM on February 20, 2016
posted by 256 at 6:05 PM on February 20, 2016
I've been hardcore into the sustainable ag thing, and have met lots of people who have a degree in it. I could go on forever and ever, basically... if you MeMail me something more specific, or elaborate a bit, I'm happy to MeMail you back. (Are you willing to move to do this? Do you have money to pay for a degree or to start a business? Are you married/kids or single? etc...)
I did a Permaculture certification course (in the San Juan Islands, near Seattle) and had an absolute blast.
I've also heard really good things about the Master Gardener program in LA (I think run by UCLA extension).
The program I drool over is the Master's in Agroecology at the University of Manoa, HI. It looks soooo interesting... I did well in school but have a degree in art, so I'd have to go back and take some other classes if I ever went, but it's less math-centric than some other degrees.
I found paid internships through ATTRA's internship listings, did some WWOOFing overseas, and was able to get a job offer ($10-12) at an organization you've probably heard of if you're into this sort of thing. Happy to send some links to job sites and stuff.
Santa Rosa Junior College has an awesome ag program.
Where do you want to end up living?
posted by jrobin276 at 8:13 PM on February 20, 2016
I did a Permaculture certification course (in the San Juan Islands, near Seattle) and had an absolute blast.
I've also heard really good things about the Master Gardener program in LA (I think run by UCLA extension).
The program I drool over is the Master's in Agroecology at the University of Manoa, HI. It looks soooo interesting... I did well in school but have a degree in art, so I'd have to go back and take some other classes if I ever went, but it's less math-centric than some other degrees.
I found paid internships through ATTRA's internship listings, did some WWOOFing overseas, and was able to get a job offer ($10-12) at an organization you've probably heard of if you're into this sort of thing. Happy to send some links to job sites and stuff.
Santa Rosa Junior College has an awesome ag program.
Where do you want to end up living?
posted by jrobin276 at 8:13 PM on February 20, 2016
The State University of New York has programs at several campuses, including the statutory college at Cornell.
posted by jgirl at 8:24 PM on February 20, 2016
posted by jgirl at 8:24 PM on February 20, 2016
If you're looking to relocate, Iowa State University has a great horticulture program. And as a bonus, Ames is a pretty neat town.
posted by exoticlikeomaha at 5:37 AM on February 22, 2016
posted by exoticlikeomaha at 5:37 AM on February 22, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
You can take a permaculture design course here over 6 weekends in LA and get certified. What happens next depends a lot on what you'd actually like to do day to day. Do you want to teach? Learn to draft and design permaculture systems? Or do you want to focus on actually creating garden/farming systems? A combination?
The jobs in this field vary from booking yourself as a permaculture instructor, getting involved with new farms as a designer, working on farms as an implementor, or coming in as a consultant for your specific area of focus. You can also, obviously, start your own farm. It's an interesting world, with lots of opportunities to learn, do, and teach. If you fancy going further afield to learn about this, like say, Costa Rica or Guatemala, or if you want me to reach out to my network here in the states, PM me and I'll put you in touch with some folks :)
posted by ananci at 2:21 PM on February 20, 2016