Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Landscape and Horticulture Technician
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

CCC	
CIP Number	0101060505	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	30 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	Please see the CIP to SOC Crosswalk located at the link below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Landscape and Horticulture Technology AS degree program (1101060502).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the landscape and horticulture sector within the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to instruction pertaining to an understanding of plant physiology and growth, plant nutrition and fertilization, plant classification and identification, pest control, pruning and shaping plants, maintenance of landscape plants, equipment maintenance, and employability and human relations skills.  This program also prepares for certification and licensure as a horticulture professional and landscape technician.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.
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Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of plant physiology and growth.
02.0	Classify plants.
03.0	Select tools and equipment. 
04.0	Fertilize plants.
05.0	Manage a pest-control program.
06.0	Prune and shape plants.
07.0	Maintain landscape plants. 
08.0	Demonstrate employability skills.

Landscape Specialization
09.0	Plan and service landscape irrigation systems.
10.0	Analyze and organize the project. 
11.0	Lay out and install landscape. 

Horticulture Specialization
12.0	Determine drainage system needs and design a drainage system. 
13.0	Maintain and analyze records. 
14.0	Prepare growing media and seedbeds. 
15.0	Propagate plants. 
16.0	Grow plants. 
17.0	Harvest, process, and ship plants. 
18.0	Design nursery irrigation systems. 

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Landscape and Horticulture Technician 
CIP Number:	0101060505
Program Length:	30 credit hours	

This certificate program is part of the Landscape and Horticulture Technology AS degree program (1101060502).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of plant physiology and growth. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Describe the process of photosynthesis.	
01.02	Identify and describe the functions of all parts of the plant.	
01.03	Describe an asexual reproduction process.	
01.04	Explain the differences between angiosperms and gymnosperms.	
01.05	Identify the differences between woody and herbaceous plants.	
02.0	Classify plants. The student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify and group shade and flowering trees.	
02.02	Identify and group fruit trees and plants.	
02.03	Identify and group annuals, vegetables, and herbs.	
02.04	Identify and group woody ornamentals, vines, and ground covers.	
02.05	Identify and group tropical foliage plants.	
02.06	Identify and group turf and ornamental grasses.	
03.0	Select tools and equipment. The student will be able to:	
03.01	Select equipment for the job.	
03.02	Maintain an inventory of parts and supplies.	
04.0	Fertilize plants. The student will be able to:	
04.01	Evaluate influences of nutrients on plant growth.	
04.02	Identify appropriate methods of fertilizer application (dry, liquid, slow-release, injection, etc.).	
04.03	Demonstrate proper handling and storage of fertilizers, observing safety precautions.	
05.0	Manage a pest-control program. The student will be able to:	
05.01	Develop an integrated pest management program or schedule.	
05.02	Train employees in the safe use of pesticides.	
05.03	Determine pesticide licensure requirements.	
06.0	Prune and shape plants. The student will be able to:	
06.01	Train employees in pruning techniques.	
06.02	Identify tools for pruning.	
06.03	Prune plants to achieve desired growth.	
06.04	Demonstrate sanitation and safety practices when pruning.	
06.05	Develop a pruning program and time schedule	
06.06	Select plant growth regulators	
07.0	Maintain landscape plants. The student will be able to:	
07.01	Determine water requirements at proper rates.	
07.02	Identify weeds and appropriate herbicide application.	
07.03	Determine fertilization requirements.	
07.04	Regulate growth of landscape plants. 	
07.05	Maintain turf viability (mow at proper height and frequency, aerate, edge, clip, and remove trash).	
07.06	Identify plant pest problems and apply corrective measures.	
08.0	Demonstrate employability skills. The student will be able to:	
08.01	Conduct a job search.	
08.02	Secure information about a job.	
08.03	Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job.	
08.04	Create a resume and cover letter.	
08.05	Demonstrate competency in job interview techniques.	
08.06	Identify or demonstrate appropriate responses to criticism from employer, supervisor, or other person.	
08.07	Identify acceptable work habits.	
08.08	Demonstrate knowledge of how to make job changes.	
Landscape Specialization	
09.0	Plan and service landscape irrigation systems. The student will be able to:	
09.01	Determine irrigation requirements.	
09.02	Operate and service low-volume irrigation system.	
09.03	Operate and service overhead irrigation systems.	
09.04	Operate and maintain automatic system.	
10.0	Analyze and organize the project. The student will be able to:	
10.01	Interpret plans and specifications.	
10.02	Identify safety requirements.	
10.03	Organize site preparation.	
10.04	Locate project materials.	
11.0	Lay out and install landscape. The student will be able to:	
11.01	Identify procedures for site specific rough grading.	
11.02	Identify procedures for lay out and installation of plants.	
11.03	Identify procedures for preparing final grade.	
11.04	Identify procedures for lawn installation.	
11.05	Identify procedures for mulch installation.	
11.06	Identify procedures for preforming final clean up.	
Horticulture Specialization	
12.0	Determine drainage system needs and design a drainage system. The student will be able to:	
12.01	Determine the texture and percolation characteristics of the soil.	
13.0	Maintain and analyze records. The student will be able to:	
13.01	Maintain fertilizer and pesticide application records.	
13.02	Use computers in the landscape and horticulture operations.	
14.0	Prepare growing media and seedbeds. The student will be able to:	
14.01	Identify media materials.	
14.02	Mix rooting and growing media according to plant requirements.	
14.03	Sterilize rooting, potting, and growing media.	
14.04	Collect and test a soil sample from field and potting media.	
14.05	Adjust pH and nutritional levels of media.	
14.06	Prepare planting beds and sites.	
14.07	Fill and level benches and pots with media.	
14.08	Demonstrate sanitation practices when handling and storing plant media materials.	
15.0	Propagate plants. The student will be able to:	
15.01	Collect propagation materials at proper time (seeds, cuttings, scions, bulbs, etc.).	
15.02	Demonstrate propagation (grafting, budding, layering, separating, dividing, cutting, and tissue culturing, etc.).	
15.03	Prepare flats and a seedbed and plant seeds.	
15.04	Prepare a rooting bed.	
15.05	Prepare propagation materials (seeds, cuttings, scions, etc.)	
15.06	Apply growth stimulants to propagation materials.	
15.07	Transplant rooted propagation materials including tissue culture transplants.	
15.08	Demonstrate sanitation and safety practices when propagating.	
16.0	Grow plants. The student will be able to:	
16.01	Prepare media for containers.	
16.02	Prepare field site for transplants.	
16.03	Select plant containers.	
16.04	Determine plant spacing in the field and on container beds.	
16.05	Transplant propagated materials to various containers and to the field.	
16.06	Determine and provide light requirements of various plant types.	
17.0	Harvest, process, and ship plants. The student will be able to:	
17.01	Demonstrate an understanding of selecting, grading, and assembling container grown plants.  	
17.02	Prepare for shipment, loading, and transporting harvested plant materials.	
18.0	Design nursery irrigation systems. The student will be able to:	
18.01	Determine irrigation requirements.	
18.02	Assess quality of irrigation water.	
18.03	Operate various types of irrigation systems.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.