Plant and Floriculture Systems in Georgia

This advanced pathway prepares students for leadership roles in Georgia's horticulture industry, covering nursery production, landscape design, turf management, and horticultural entrepreneurship. Students develop comprehensive understanding of ornamental plant production, specialty crop cultivation, and horticultural business operations. The program emphasizes strategic management, financial analysis, and innovation in nursery and landscape enterprises. Georgia's nursery industry represents a multi-billion-dollar sector creating numerous advancement opportunities for leadership-focused professionals. Curriculum integrates horticulture science with business management and leadership development. Students study production systems for various ornamental and specialty crops, analyzing profitability and market trends. Leadership components address personnel management, financial planning, and strategic business development. Students engage with major Georgia nurseries and landscape companies. The pathway prepares graduates for positions managing nursery operations, directing landscape companies, or starting horticultural businesses. Students explore emerging trends including specialty production and high-value crops. Georgia's major nursery operations and landscape industry provide abundant mentorship and field learning opportunities.

This dual-focus pathway combines horticulture knowledge with mechanical systems expertise, preparing students for careers managing equipment and facilities in nurseries, greenhouses, and landscape operations throughout Georgia. Students learn plant production systems alongside equipment operation, maintenance, and repair. The program addresses the increasing mechanization of horticulture and the need for professionals understanding both growing systems and the equipment that supports them. Georgia's nursery and landscape industry relies on technicians with combined horticulture and mechanical skills. Curriculum covers greenhouse climate control systems, irrigation equipment, landscape machinery, and facility infrastructure. Students learn preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of horticultural equipment. The pathway integrates plant science with practical mechanics. Students understand precision technology applications in horticulture, including automated systems and sensor technologies. Field experiences with nurseries and landscape companies develop expertise in both growing operations and equipment management. Georgia's major nursery and landscape industry provides abundant employment opportunities and authentic learning experiences.

This creative pathway prepares students for careers in floral design and decorative plant arrangement throughout Georgia. Students study design principles, color theory, plant characteristics, and arrangement techniques for both professional florists and special event services. The program addresses opportunities in floral shops, event planning companies, and hospitality venues in Atlanta, Savannah, and other metropolitan areas. Students develop artistic skills alongside horticultural knowledge, creating unique career opportunities at the intersection of art and agriculture. Curriculum covers floral design fundamentals, plant material characteristics, arrangement techniques, and customer service for floral businesses. Students learn preservation and conditioning of plant materials, seasonal design trends, and special occasion arrangements. The pathway includes business principles for floral shop operations or freelance design services. Students understand fresh and dried flowers, tropical materials, and sustainable design practices. Field experiences with professional florists and event companies develop practical design expertise. Students engage with Georgia's growing event and hospitality industry. Georgia's metropolitan areas and event industry provide abundant opportunities for floral design services.