Carers in Public Horticulture
Career Category:
Education
Position Title:
University Extension
Position Summary
- Employed by colleges and universities, Extension Specialists or Agents communicate horticultural information and research to the general public, as well as nursery and landscape professionals. This position requires a combination teaching, research, and outreach responsibilities.
- This position often requires a graduate or doctoral degree and 3-5 years of experience
- Other abilities: strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, and the desire to work with diverse audiences, including students, professionals, faculty, and the general public
2006 APGA Salary Range
N/A
Career Profiles of University Extension Specialists / Agents
dr. Susan Barton
Title
Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor, University of Delaware
Job Responsibilities:
- Provide education to nursery and landscape industry through workshops, short courses, and newsletters
- Conduct research and develop programs to address important issues, such as invasive plants and sustainable landscaping
- Teach undergraduate students
Educational Background
- PhD, Plant Protection, University of Delaware
- Master of Science, Horticulture, North Carolina State University
- Bachelor of Science, Plant Science, University of Delaware
Practical Experience
- Extension Specialist, University of Delaware
- Horticulture Faculty Member, Fayetteville Technical Institute
- Garden Center Employee and Landscape Designer, Village Gardens
Favorite / Least Favorite Part of the Job
- Favorite: Working with students of all levels, including undergraduates and industry professionals
- Least Favorite: Filling out reports for grants
Advice
"Experience everything you can. The more diverse your set of experiences, the better prepared you will be. Also, write and have people edit your writing. Communications skills are so imprtant for a successful career. You are often judged by how well you write and how well you speak."
Why is Public Horticulture a Good Career Choice?
"Public Horticulture is a truly satisfying career. You get to work with both plants and people. Many folks who get an interest in gardening once they own their own home can't believe we get to work with plants (garden) for a living. But, more importantly, you get to share your knowledge and interest in plants with other people. You learn from those people throughout your career."
Carrie Murphy
Title
Horticulture Extension Agent, New Castle County Cooperative Extension, University of Delaware
Job Responsibilities
- Coordinate and manage the Master Gardener Volunteer Educators in New Castle County. Support Master Gardeners in home horticulture education and service projects. Work directly with community members of New Castle County; provide home horticulture information and resources.
- Consult with, provide support, information, and resources to, and create programming for the commercial horticulture industry
- Support ongoing, broader Delaware Cooperative Extension Initiatives
Educational Experience
- Master of Science, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware
- Professional Gardener Training Program, Longwood Gardens
- Bachelor of Science, Towson University
Practical Experience
- Seasonal Gardener, University of Delaware Botanic Gardens, Newark, DE
- Seasonal / Research and Trial Gardener, North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg, PA
- Professional Gardener Training Program and Greenhouse Production Intern, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Favorite Part of the Job
- Providing resources and information to the community as needed- this information is often information that they would not otherwise have.
Advice
"Allow yourself the time to explore your options, find what you like and do not like, take advantage of every good opportunity presented to you, and explore the field so that you can settle in the right spot for you."
Why is Public Horticulture a Good Career Choice?
"My career in public horticulture has given me the opportunity to blend my two passions: horticulture and education. Plants, designing, gardening, composting, growing vegetables- these are just a few examples of ways in which I can connect to a very diverse population with exciting and interesting, common and simplistic topics. I get to work regularly with the community, and provide them with the skills and information they they need to connect to the land and the environment, and at the same time, to tackle larger, environmental and social issues."