Horticulture

Horticulture focuses on the earth, creating a landscape with trees, plants and hardscape to enhance natural beauty and resources. Kish hort students play in the dirt and help take care of our beautiful campus. Field trips, guest speakers and interviewing with potential employers are all staples in the program. The greenhouse, athletic fields and the 120-acre living laboratory (campus grounds) offer hands-on learning experiences.

In our horticulture program, you may:

Earn a certificate or an Associate in Applied Science degree
Choose from several specialties, including floral design, greenhouse, landscape design & nursery, sustainable horticulture and more
Receive career guidance and develop skills from our industry experts
Work with the same state of the art equipment used in the industry, such as LED grow lights from VOLT Grow.

Horticulture Events

VIEW EVENTS

Abby D'Agostin shares how Kish’s Horticulture program offers real-world experience in several different areas of the horticulture field.

Degree Options

Please check back soon for an updated listing of certificate options.

Program Details

Horticulture is a growing and expanding industry with a strong job market.

Artistically designed lawns, gardens, and grounds do much more than increase property values; they increase our quality of life. Professionals in landscape contracting, groundskeeping, nursery, greenhouse, and lawn services help maintain the outdoor environments we enjoy each day. These specialists also care for indoor gardens and plants in commercial and public areas such as gardens, malls, and hotels.
Floral designers use the positive psychological and physiological effects of plants and flowers to enhance our décor, create our desired environments, and add to our most memorable moments.
Students of horticulture enjoy a wide variety of career options. Horticulture specialists have titles such as landscape contractor, park naturalist, nurseryman, city forester, groundskeeper, retail or wholesale florist, landscape designer, turf specialist, golf course superintendent, greenhouse manager, horticultural journalist and garden center manager.
The National Career Clusters Framework created a tool to help you find a career that suits your interests and skills. Our hort program is part of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources career cluster.

In-district high school students can get started while still in high school. This program has a study guide to outline a pathway from certain high schools into our hort program.
Learn more from the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA)
Visit the Illinois Green Industry Association (IGIA)
Follow us on Facebook

Work alongside passionate faculty to understand the proper care of plant material
The DeKalb Area Garden Club (DAGC) is a local organization of people from a wide range of backgrounds all with a passion for gardening. In addition to its annual events, the organization invites guest speakers, plans trips, potluck dinners, and garden tours and sponsors scholarships for our hort students.

Students interested in pursuing a degree or certificate in hort are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor for course and career planning.

Contact Us

Richard A. AldeAssistant Professor-HorticultureP815-825-9519Eralde@kish.edu

Janet GallagherAssistant Professor-HorticultureP815-825-9504Ejgallagher@kish.edu

Kish College to host CTE Open House on April 5

Kishwaukee College will host an open house for Career and Technology programs from 5-7 pm Wednesday, April 5, at Kish in the Caukin Building. The CTE Open House will allow prospective students to view Kish’s state-of-the-art labs and equipment and network with instructors and area employers.
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Kishwaukee College Foundation program enhancements continue to serve as valuable resources

The Kishwaukee College Foundation awarded $123,461 in program enhancement funds to Kishwaukee College departments for the 2022-2023 academic year. Funds support various needs, including educational support for instructors, new equipment, and testing services for students.
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Grow, Cultivate, Design & Sustain

Horticulture

Horticulture

Horticulture Events

Student Spotlight: Abigail D'Agostin

Degree Options

Program Details

Contact Us

News & Events

Kish College to host CTE Open House on April 5

Kishwaukee College Foundation program enhancements continue to serve as valuable resources

Spring Break

Baseball vs Carl Sandburg (Double Header)

Apply Now for Fall 2023 Scholarships

Grow, Cultivate, Design & Sustain

Horticulture

Horticulture

Horticulture Events

Student Spotlight: Abigail D'Agostin

Degree Options

Program Details

Career Information

Resources

Program Opportunities

Admissions Process

Contact Us

News & Events

Kish College to host CTE Open House on April 5

Kishwaukee College Foundation program enhancements continue to serve as valuable resources

Spring Break

Baseball vs Carl Sandburg (Double Header)