Environmental HorticultureCertificate of AchievementAS Degree

This course is a study of the agriculture, environmental science and natural resources industries with a focus on career opportunities, self evaluation, and skills necessary for successful job procurement. Topics include job trends, resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, and the types of careers available in agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources.

This course covers design principles, selection, maintenance, adjustment, and safe operation of wheel and crawler type tractors used in agriculture and in the construction industry. (C-ID AG-MA 108L).

This course is an introduction to environmental horticulture including nursery operations, landscaping, turf management and arboriculture. Topics include basic botany, cultural practices, propagation, structures and layout, pest management, planting, transplanting, container gardening, houseplants, plant identification, turfgrass installation and care, and a broad survey of the 'Green Industry' and other career opportunities.

This course is an introduction to the materials, equipment, installation procedures, operation and maintenance of landscape irrigation systems and their components.

This course is an introduction to plant propagation and production practices with emphasis on nursery operations including sexual and asexual reproduction, planting, transplanting, fertilizing, plant pest and disease control; structures and site layout; preparation and use of propagating and planting mediums; use and maintenance of common tools and equipment; regulations pertaining to plant production. (C-ID AG-EH 116L).

Work experience is an experiential course where students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a work environment. The course offers students the opportunity to develop technical skills, explore possible career choices, build confidence, network with people in the field, and transition into the world of work. Work experience may include paid or unpaid employment. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every fifty-one hours of work experience. Students may enroll in this course up to 8 unit(s) to complete the entire curriculum of the course. A maximum of sixteen units can be earned in work experience courses during a student’s enrollment with Butte College.

Prerequisite: Permission of Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor

This course is an introduction to plant science including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth medica, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants. (C-ID AG-PS 104).

This course is an introduction to establishing, maintaining and managing turfgrasses for sports athletic fields, golf courses, parks, cemeteries, and commercial and residential lawns. Emphasis is placed on identification of various turfgrass species, installation of proper irrigation, environmental requirements, and maintenance practices.

This course is a survey of the greenhouse industry. Emphasis will be placed on analysis, description, and operation of greenhouses and other forcing structures. The relationship of light, temperature, moisture, aeration, and humidity to plant growth will be described. Emphasis will be placed on potted plants grown for foliage or flowers, cut flowers and bedding plant production.

This course covers the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in a management position for a landscape company, public/private park system, golf course and other 'Green Industry' operations. Emphasis will be placed on operational procedures of the business such as determining annual overhead, planning for recovery of that overhead, hiring and managing procedures of employees and determining 'true' profit. This course is also designed to encourage development of 'take-off' and bidding skills for the construction industry.