Newest Accredited Horticulturalists

By Rick Haggard:

North Montgomery High School located just north of Crawfordsville, Indiana on State Road 231, has increased our number of Indiana Accredited Horticulturist for 2023. The number of students that participated in the exam before their spring break was a total of 19, with 9 actually garnering the Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH) Certificate of Completion, which is the only program certified in the State of Indiana. Mrs. Nancy Bell, the teacher of the Horticulture and Landscape class, which is a chapter of the FFA, has spent numerous hours not only in the classroom with the students, but also has assisted in educating them about possible opportunities within the green industry. The amount of Mrs. Bell’s and others efforts are obvious by the number of FFA plaques and ribbons that are proudly displayed in the classroom.

These students ranging from sophomores to seniors, are currently enrolled in the program, and while many will seek potential future opportunities and possible careers. On the site there are 2 small greenhouses which the students grow various crops to sell to keep the greenhouses operational and learn the various growth requirements for both spring sales, which occurs just before Mother’s Day, as well the selling of Poinsettia’s in the late fall. The students learn about the different growing media, light, temperatures, fertilization, pest control, moisture, and maintenance requirements of these various plant types.

North Montgomery is one of several schools that have requested permission to utilize our IAH manual in their school horticulture/ landscape curriculum.

Congrats to Mrs. Bell and the newest IAH – Certificate of Completion members.

John Deere 317G

Compact Track Loader

• Rated Operating Capacity: 965 kg (2,125 lb.)

• Gross Horsepower: 48.5 kW (65 hp)

• Net Horsepower: 45.6 kW (61 hp)

• Operating Weight: 3824 kg (8,423 lb.)

The Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association have developed the Indiana Accredited Horticulturist Program to provide a method of self-study and accreditation for individuals in the nursery industry. The goal of this certification and accreditation program is to develop knowledgeable, motivated, professional employees for the landscape nursery industry.

There are over 700 Indiana Accredited Horticulturists and over 125 Master Horticulturists. The success of the program and the upgrading of the personnel in the nursery industry are direct results of the emphasis the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association have placed on education programs. You are encouraged to take advantage of this valued educational service of your association.

Learn More!