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Horticulture student in greenhouse

Horticulture

Earn a Horticulture Associate Degree

Are you interested in working with plants and starting a career in agriculture and related fields? From lawns to gardens and florists to farms, society needs skilled cultivators to grow plants. The Aims horticulture associate degree program is designed to transfer to a bachelor's program and teaches you the skills and knowledge to help you succeed in related industries. Learn from experienced faculty members in Weld County, the heart of Colorado farm country, and gain practical skills through labs taught in a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility. 

While earning a horticulture associate degree at Aims, you’ll learn about:

  • Botany
  • Soil science
  • Plant propagation
  • Large-scale crop production
  • Pest identification
  • Greenhouse management
  • Turf Management
"If you love plants and are interested in horticulture, Aims can open doors for you."
--Lynn Ingegneri, horticulture instructor at Aims

Learn How Your Passion for Plants Can Blossom Into a Career

Aims Degree Video - Agricultural Sciences and Technology - Horticulture

Instructor Lynn Ingegneri explains how the Aims horticulture program gives students the skills and opportunities needed to pursue a variety of agriculture industry jobs. 

Learn Horticultural Principles in a Hands-On Environment

Gain practical horticulture and professional skills by learning in laboratory settings while working side-by-side with your instructors. 

While earning a horticulture associate degree, learn the principles and practices of:

  • Growing and nourishing plants
  • Soil management
  • Greenhouse operations
  • Weed and pest management
  • Garden management
  • Data collection
$41,000 Horticulture manager median salary w/associate Source: salary.com

Earn a Horticulture Certificate

You can earn a horticulture certificate at Aims to explore a specific subject area or to strengthen skills in less time than it takes to earn a two-year degree. Learn the basics of plant and business management with an introductory certificate or dive deeper into food and greenhouse management with a more robust horticulture certificate.

  • Introduction to Horticulture Certificate
  • Horticulture Certificate

Careers in Horticulture

Channel a passion for flowers and plants by developing skills to work with a florist or landscaping company. Use an entrepreneurial spirit to start a business or improve the existing business for a family-owned shop or farm. Build on your interest in food crop science to increase food yields and safety by working as a pest advisor. 

Examples of career focus areas for horticulture graduates include:

  • Florist 
  • Orchard or nursery manager
  • Landscape designer
  • Pest control advisor
  • Greenhouse manager
  • Agricultural sales for seed or horticultural supply companies
  • Public gardener
  • Marketing
  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Industry support
  • Inspection
  • Landscape construction and management
  • Communications

Horticulture Faculty and Staff

Aims horticulture program instructors bring a background of diverse industry expertise to your educational experience. Instructors synchronize classroom and lab lessons so you get hands-on practice that supports your coursework. Small class sizes provide many opportunities for personalized attention from instructors who are invested in your success.

  • Headshot of Amy McFarland

    Amy McFarland

    Department Chair, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Cassandra Anderson

    Cassandra Anderson

    Part-Time: Faculty, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Jason French

    Jason French

    Part-Time: Faculty, Agriculture
  • Headshot of David Swieter

    David Swieter

    Part-Time: Professional Equipment Mechanic, Automotive
  • Megan Blaser headshot

    Megan Blaser

    Department Coordinator, Agriculture & Technology
  • Linda Richardson headshot

    Linda Richardson

    Staff Associate, Business & Technology