The Field

The demand for technically trained people who can plan, utilize, and care for plant materials used in residential, commercial, and recreational areas is increasing dramatically. Professional organizations estimate that the need for this type of trained technician will increase by 10 to 15 percent each year for the next 10 years. This demand is also reflected in a 97 percent job placement rate for graduates of Delhi’s Horticulture program.

The College offers distinct programs in the horticulture field which give students the opportunity to specialize. Programs include Landscape Contracting and General Horticulture. Options include Turf Management and Golf Course Operations.

Landscape Contracting graduates find opportunities in landscape design, landscape contracting, landscape production and sales, landscape equipment sales, or transfer to a B.L.A. program in Landscape Architecture.

Career possibilities for those choosing General Horticulture include nursery manager, greenhouse manager, horticultural inspector, and garden center manager.

Turf Management prepares students for careers as athletic facility managers, turf equipment salespersons, or for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in Turf Management.

The Golf Course Operations option prepares students specifically for career opportunities as golf course superintendents and related golf course support services.

Several industry-supported scholarships are available to assist second-year students in continuing their educations at Delhi.

The Instructional Program

Students study one of four areas: Turf Management, Landscape Contracting, General Horticulture, or Golf Course Operations. Credit is not lost if a student changes areas after the second semester since each area shares common core courses in the first year. Each area leads to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.

Students in the Landscape Contracting program gain practical experience in the design and installation of residential and commercial landscapes. The program also gives students the bases for transfer to colleges offering a four-year degree in Landscape Architecture.

The General Horticulture program gives students a broad overview of the horticulture field. Practical experience is gained in growing and nurturing greenhouse crops. This option also has the flexibility to permit students to transfer upon graduation to a four-year college program in horticulture.

Turf Management emphasizes the care and maintenance of fine-turf areas. Students are taught the theory and practice of proper turf management, and are given extensive hands-on experience in the laboratory, at the College’s 18-hole golf course, and on the extensive campus athletic fields.

The Golf Course Operations program emphasizes the management of golf course facilities. Students are required to have knowledge of the game of golf and also to intern during the summer between the first and second years at a program-approved golf course. Students gain extensive experience on the College’s 18-hole golf course.

All four programs afford students opportunities for extensive hands-on experience. Students are also required, with the assistance of their faculty advisor, to enroll as summer interns at various golf courses, athletic field facilities, arboretums, garden centers, and landscape contracting firms.

During the fourth semester, students can take the exam for the State Pesticide Applicator’s License. This is often a required credential in the job market.

At the end of the second semester, a one-week field experience on Long Island is required of students in some programs. Consequently, some extra expense will be incurred. Also, for these students the semester will end one week later than indicated on the College calendar.

A one-year certificate in Turf Equipment Management is also offered. Students gain experience in maintaining all equipment used in golf course management. The demand for students with these skills is outstanding. Students can also elect to stay an extra year after completing their A.A.S. degree, making their skills even more appealing to potential employers.

General Horticulture

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0610

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement: 64-67 credit hours

Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a high school diploma and have completed high school Mathematics Course A and one year of biology (preferably Regents level or equivalent).

Notes:

1Mathematics by advisement.

2A one-week field trip to Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay, New York is also required as a component of the basic curriculum.

Students may choose, with advisement, from the following electives:

Program Electives

Business Electives

Program Objectives (General Horticulture)

A graduate of the General Horticulture A.A.S. program should be able to:

1. Understand how a plant grows and develops.
2. Understand and be able to apply the basic principles of plant care, growth, and propagation.
3. Identify common ornamental and native plants of the Northeast United States, both woody and herbaceous.
4. Understand the principles of two-stroke and four-stroke small engines.
5. Operate and maintain common equipment and tools used in the profession.
6. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of soils, fertilizers, soil amendments, soil management techniques, and how these are manipulated for plant growth.
7. Survey and plot a site, select appropriate plants, and design a landscape plan for that site that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
8. Demonstrate proficiency in working with common landscaping materials and the associated tools.
9. Design and develop landscape features such as steps, decks, walks, patios, and fences using materials such as flagstone, fieldstone, brick, and pressure-treated lumber.
10. Identify common pests, diseases, and other problems of ornamental plants and select the best method of treatment.
11. Understand the proper and safe use and handling of horticultural chemicals.
12. Demonstrate the ability to prune, spray, and maintain existing landscapes and ornamental plants.
13. Understand the fundamentals of greenhouses and commercial greenhouse production.
14. Demonstrate a responsible attitude in relationships with employers, colleagues, and clients.
15. Demonstrate an awareness of how a business is developed and operated in the profession.
16. Demonstrate familiarity with the basic techniques of first aid and handling emergencies.

Turf Management

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0613

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement: 68-69 credit hours

Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a high school diploma and have completed high school Mathematics Course A and one year of biology (preferably Regents level or equivalent).

*Note:  Mathematics by advisement

Students may choose, with advisement, from the following electives:

Technical Electives

Business Electives

Program Objectives (Turf Management)

A graduate of the Turf Management A.A.S. program should be able to:

1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of botany.
2. Understand and apply basic principles and terminology used in the care, pruning, growth, propagation, growing media, soil amendments, and fertilization of plants.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in the proper identification, terminology, and use of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers used in various Northeast landscapes. 
4. Exhibit a working knowledge of basic surveying techniques, the proper use of transits and levels, and the necessary drafting and drawing skills to communicate the data collected. 
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the diagnosis, repair, and operation of equipment used on home lawns and athletic fields.
6. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of soil: its genesis, composition, classification, physical and chemical characteristics, and how to test, correct, and implement proper soil management practices on home lawns and athletic fields.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the construction principles and materials used for decks, fences, patios, walks, and retaining walls.
8. Display a thorough practical understanding of the daily operations of lawn and athletic field maintenance.
9. Properly identify, select, establish, and maintain major turf grasses used on home lawns and athletic fields.
10. Properly identify and manage turf pests found on home lawns and athletic fields. 
11. Identify and control major weeds found on lawns, athletic fields, and in the surrounding landscape.
12. Understand basic concepts in plant pathology and entomology as they relate to turf grass and ornamental plants.
13. Describe, demonstrate, and apply the basic theories of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices used on lawns and athletic fields.
14. Properly identify, select, calibrate, and safely apply pesticides used on lawns and athletic fields. 
15. Design, select, install, and maintain irrigation systems for lawns and athletic fields.
16. Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of athletic field design, construction, budgeting, and management.
17. Properly select and maintain trees.
18. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.