Horticulture student in greenhouse

Horticulture

Earn a Horticulture Associate Degree

Are you interested in working with plants and starting a career in agriculture and related fields? From lawns to gardens and florists to farms, society needs skilled cultivators to grow plants. Aims offers two horticulture associate degree programs that can give you the skills and knowledge to help you succeed in a variety of related industries. Learn from experienced faculty members in Weld County, the heart of Colorado farm country and gain practical skills through labs taught in a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility. 

While earning a horticulture associate degree at Aims, you’ll learn about:

  • Botany
  • Soil science
  • Plant propagation
  • Pest identification
  • Greenhouse management
  • Turf Management

Choose Between Two Horticulture Associate Degree Programs

Aims offers two horticulture liberal arts associate degrees, each with a unique focus.

1. Associate of Science in Environmental Horticulture Landscape Business

Study the ways in which landscaping skills intersect with business principles and practices. 

2. Associate of Science in Horticulture Business Management

This liberal arts associate degree focuses on large-scale crop production. 

Both horticulture degrees are designed to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year school, although you can also choose to enter the workforce upon graduation from Aims.

"If you love plants and are interested in horticulture, Aims can open doors for you."
--Lynn Ingegneri, horticulture instructor at Aims
View Degree Requirements

Learn How Your Passion for Plants Can Blossom Into a Career

Aims Degree Video - Agricultural Sciences and Technology - Horticulture

Instructor Lynn Ingegneri explains how the Aims horticulture program gives students the skills and opportunities needed to pursue a variety of agriculture industry jobs. 

Learn Horticultural Principles in a Hands-On Environment

Gain practical horticulture and professional skills by learning in laboratory settings while working side-by-side with your instructors. 

While earning a horticulture associate degree, learn the principles and practices of:

  • Growing and nourishing plants
  • Soil management
  • Greenhouse operations
  • Weed and pest management
  • Garden management
  • Data collection
$51,894 Lanscape Architect median salary w/associate Source: salary.com

In addition to these foundational horticulture skills, you’ll develop important soft skills that employers want, such as critical thinking, planning, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to change.

Earn a Horticulture Certificate

You can earn a horticulture certificate at Aims to explore a specific subject area or to strengthen skills in less time than it takes to earn a two-year degree. Learn the basics of plant and business management with an introductory certificate or dive deeper into food and greenhouse management with a more robust horticulture certificate.

  • Introduction to Horticulture Certificate
  • Horticulture Certificate

Careers in Horticulture

Channel a passion for flowers and plants by developing skills to work with a florist or landscaping company. Use an entrepreneurial spirit to start a business or improve the existing business for a family-owned shop or farm. Build on your interest in food crop science to increase food yields and safety by working as a pest advisor. 

Examples of career focus areas for horticulture graduates include:

  • Florist 
  • Orchard or nursery manager
  • Landscape designer
  • Pest control advisor
  • Greenhouse manager
  • Agricultural sales for seed or horticultural supply companies
  • Public gardener
  • Marketing
  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Industry support
  • Inspection
  • Landscape construction and management
  • Communications

Faculty at Aims are accessible, approachable and really committed to helping their students succeed.

Lynn Ingegneri
Aims horticulture instructor
Portrait of Lynn Ingegneri

Horticulture Faculty and Staff

Aims horticulture program instructors bring a background of diverse industry expertise to your educational experience. Instructors synchronize classroom and lab lessons so you get hands-on practice that supports your coursework. Small class sizes provide many opportunities for personalized attention from instructors who are invested in your success.

  • Headshot of Amy McFarland

    Amy McFarland

    Department Chair, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Cassandra Anderson

    Cassandra Anderson

    Part-Time: Faculty, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Jason French

    Jason French

    Part-Time: Faculty, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Lynn Ingegneri

    Lynn Ingegneri

    Part-Time: Instructional Lab Coordinator I, Agriculture Sciences
  • Headshot of David Swieter

    David Swieter

    Part-Time: Professional Equipment Mechanic, Automotive
  • Megan Blaser headshot

    Megan Blaser

    Department Coordinator, Agriculture & Technology
  • Linda Richardson headshot

    Linda Richardson

    Staff Associate, Business & Technology

Next Steps

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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Science

Credits

60

Tuition*

In-District
$5,200
In-State
$7,900
WUE
$11,560
Out of State
$28,240

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

Related Links

Horticulture

Related Resources

Horticulture

Aims Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Dee Shultz, Chief HR Officer
504 W. 20th Street Greeley, CO, 80634
dee.shultz@aims.edu
970-339-6434