Horticulture Technician

TRAINING PROGRAMS

Horticulture Technician*

(Pre-apprenticeship Program)

Also known as Horticultural Field Technicians or Greenhouse Technicians, Horticulture Technicians are a type of agricultural worker that work with plants to ensure they are healthy. They may work outdoor in fields of agricultural produce, or indoor in greenhouses or hydroponics. Their role may include plants for food produce, raw material, or simply for scientific research, assist horticulturalists and research scientists in the study of individual species or interspecies relationships within a specific ecology. They are not researchers but need to understand scientific concepts behind plant biology, botany, soil science and much more.

Their typical role is to record growth and nutrient levels, to remove weeds, promote pollination and to treat a plant if it show signs of illness or pest damage. They may work in biotechnology, biofuel, genetic modification, and in promoting good plant health in agriculture, allowing areas where certain crops are not native to grow in environments more suited to their ability to thrive. Some may have office-based roles such as recording observations or carrying out simple tests.

This is a diverse type of role requiring experience operating farm equipment and machinery although they are not necessarily considered farm workers.

Course Details

Week One - Principles and Operations
- Introduction to Equipment Set up, Operation, Basic maintenance and Safety
- Electrical, Hydraulic, Power and Lubrication System Terminology
- Overview of System Principles
- Overview of Safety Practices and Standards
- Basic Horticulture Nutrition, Water and Growing Conditions
- Activity: Plant Identification
- Mainstream and Organic Production Practices
Week Two - Horticulture - Math & Writing
- Refresh & Development - Fundamental Business Mathematics
- Overview of Workplace Calculations for Horticulture and Agriculture Industry
- Overview of Professional Communication
- Activity: Technical Reporting
- Activity: Problem Solving
Week Three - Intro to Agriculture and Horticulture
- Intro to Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soils
- Overview of Soil Management
- History of Agricultural Organizations and Agencies
- Activity: Understanding Environmental Impacts
- Overview of Project Management
- Climate and Weather Trends
Week Four - Entomology & Sustainability
- Intro to Identification, Evaluation and Management of Insects.
- Overview of Common Plant Diseases
- Activity: Biological vs. Chemical Control Methods
- Development and Deployment of a Landscape Plan
- Activity: Following an Existing Draft Plan
- Assessing for Key Natural Characteristics
Week Five - Greenhouse Field Placement
- Supervised by Industry Professionals in a Professional Horticulture Environment
- Understanding How to Regulate Temperature, Humidity, Carbon Dioxide, Irrigation, and Fertilization
- Activity: Examining Various Energy Systems
Week Six - Arboriculture & Crops
- Overview of Tree Growth, Species and Structure
- Understanding Site Selection, Placement, Planting and Transplanting
- Activity: Tree Handling Equipment and Tree Maintenance
- Understanding Crops Specific to a Controlled Environment
- Activity: Locally Grown Species
- Understanding Soils and Containers and Their Impact on Growth
Week Seven - Nursery Management
- Intro to Pest Anticipation, Prevention, Observation and Intervention
- Biological, Mechanical, and Cultural Practices for Pest Control
- Intro to Pesticide Equipment and Safety
- Intro to Typical Nursery Operations
- Practical Principles of Producing Plants Under Nursery Conditions