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New Horticulture and Turfgrass Workforce Program

Excellent opportunity for current golf and landscape employees or those considering entry into the field.

Dedication marked the transition from on-campus golf and landscape programs to online Horticultural program. (Pictured on the left long time director, John Piersol and graduate, Kevin Downing CGCS. Both are members of a very active program advisory committee for FGC’s golf programs).

The Tradition

Florida Gateway College continues to build on its long-standing tradition of educating students in Turf Equipment, Golf Course Operations and Landscape Technology from the mid 1960s to 2015. FGC now offers online programs in Horticulture and Advanced Horticulture, with emphasis in turf grass. These certificates equip students with the foundation to enter the Agribusiness Management degree, which enables you to pursue and further your career in golf course operations, landscaping, nursery management, sports turf and other agricultural industries.

FGC has been preparing students to work in golf and landscape industries for over 60 years.

Ranked in Top 3

For many years, FGC has been in top 3 programs for golf/landscape education along with Penn State and Rutgers University.

Affordable

We offer some of the lowest tuition rates in the nations, with in-state tuition for each college credit hour at $104. Our non-credit continuing education course is offered at the low rate of $ 150 for each topic.

Flexible

Our golf/landscape programs are offered 100% online, allowing you to fulfill your other commitments while working to advance in your career or being a new one.


Workforce, Certificate and Associate Programs – Online, On Your Time

Horticulture and turfgrass non-credit workforce program
  • Beginning May 3, 2021, FGC is offering non-degree/non-credit introductory program in Botany, Landscape Plants, Intro to Turf and Intro to Irrigations. Each course will be offered in an eight week interval, and students must complete them sequentially. Courses are offered in English and Spanish and cost $150 per topic. Each topic is covered in an 8 week interval.
  • This nondegree/workforce program does not require the standard admission process. Simply complete the Continuing Education/Workforce application and registration form and email or fax the form to Enrollment Services (contact information at the top of application). Have a question about this workforce course? Email brian.lloyd@fgc.edu. Have a question about the enrollment process? Email enroll@fgc.edu or call 386-752-1822.

Workforce Courses

ORHX 0001 – Introduction to Plants: Introduction to how a plant works throughout its life cycle
ORHX 0002 – Landscape Plants and Design: Introduction to the different types of plants in different parts of the world, includes turf and plant identification and morphology.
ORHX 0003 – Warm Season and Cool Season Turfgrasses: Continuation of turf and plant identification and morphology.
ORHX 0004 – Introduction to Irrigation: Introduction to design and troubleshooting of residential and commercial irrigation.

Horticulture Certificate
  • The Horticulture Certificate instructs you in the cultivation of all edible plants and non-food crops such as turf and ornamental plants and trees. It also includes plant conservation, landscape design and restoration, golf course maintenance, residential lawn maintenance, and arboriculture. This is an excellent certificate for those who already work or aspire to work in the horticulture industry. These industries include plant and tree nurseries, farming, golf course maintenance, lawn care, and both residential and commercial gardening. 
  • This certificate consists of six courses for a total of nineteen credits.
  • This program is 100% online for 2 semesters and has 40+ average students enrolled each year.
  • Visit the Horticulture page and Academic Catalog Information

Ready to get started? Visit our Admissions Information page, find the enrollment steps that apply to you (whether your first-time, transfer, or returning student) and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance! Have a question about the program? Email brian.lloyd@fgc.edu. Have a question about the enrollment process? Email enroll@fgc.edu or call 386-752-1822.

Advanced Horticulture certificate
  • The Advanced Horticulture Certificate instructs you in the cultivation of all edible plants and non-food crops such as turf and ornamental plants and trees. It also includes plant conservation, landscape design and restoration, golf course maintenance, residential lawn maintenance, and arboriculture. This certificate may help you get a start in horticultural management positions and promotions.  These positions include lower to middle management of plant and tree nurseries, farming, golf course maintenance, lawn care, and both residential and commercial gardening.
  • This certificate consists of 12 additional credits beyond the credits required for Horticulture Certificate.
  • This program is 100% online has 60+ average students enrolled each year.
  • Visit the Advanced Horticulture page and Academic Catalog Information

Ready to get started? Visit our Admissions Information page, find the enrollment steps that apply to you (whether your first-time, transfer, or returning student) and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance! Have a question about the program? Email brian.lloyd@fgc.edu. Have a question about the enrollment process? Email enroll@fgc.edu or call 386-752-1822.

Agribusiness Management, Associate in Science
  • The Agribusiness Management Degree, with an emphasis in turf management, will enable you to pursue careers in golf course operations, landscaping, nursery management, sports turf and many other agricultural industries. The horticultural and agricultural subject matter includes plant growth, turfgrass, soil science, plant identification, landscape calculations, and integrated pest management. 
  • This program includes all ten horticulture courses, eight business courses, plus one course from each of the following categories:  Math, English, and Humanities.
  • This program is 61 credits and 100% online.
  • Visit the Agribusiness Management, A.S. page and Academic Catalog Information

Ready to get started? Visit our Admissions Information page, find the enrollment steps that apply to you (whether your first-time, transfer, or returning student) and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance! Have a question about the program? Email brian.lloyd@fgc.edu. Have a question about the enrollment process? Email enroll@fgc.edu or call 386-752-1822.

The decision to attend FGC was not an easy one for me.  I already had an Associate degree and had plans to continue and earn a Bachelors.  After researching the program and speaking with past graduates I quickly realized that FGC was the premier program for anyone seeking a career in the turf industry.  Attending FGC was the absolute best decision I ever made in my career!  The program content, students, faculty, and professors were all outstanding and I thoroughly enjoyed every day!  The program gave me the solid foundation needed to excel in the turf/golf industry.  Looking back on my career, every single position I have held or promotion I have received has been directly impacted by a FGC alumni!  I highly recommend anyone interested in a career in the turf/golf/horticulture industry consider attending FGC!

David H. Robinson, CGCS – senior director Golf Grounds marriott golf

Welcome to North Florida

The FGC Community

Nestled on the outskirts of Lake City among the beauty of North Florida, Florida Gateway College features an atmosphere of small-town familiarity while offering all the amenities from close-by cities.