Greenhouse Operations Occupational Certificate

Overview and Award Outcomes

Overview

The Greenhouse Operations Certificate prepares graduates for entry-level employment in commercial greenhouses, garden centers, and production nurseries. Through hands-on training and technical coursework, students gain skills in propagating, growing, and caring for ornamental and agricultural crops while learning the fundamentals of plant production, integrated pest management, soil and water testing, and the proper use of greenhouses, equipment, and growing media. This certificate is designed both for those seeking to enter the industry quickly with a strong set of production skills and for current industry workers who want to enhance their technical knowledge.

Award Outcomes

Provide appropriate care and maintenance to developing plants

Propagate a diversity of plant material under a range of conditions

Implement integrated pest management and disease control strategies to maximize production

Operate specialized equipment and control systems within a production greenhouse

Prepare growing media and select appropriate soil amendments to match plant requirements

Interpret soil and water tests to inform growing practices and fertilizer regimes

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Greenhouse Technician Certificate are prepared for a range of entry-level positions in the green industry, including:

Greenhouse Technician

Propagation Technician

Garden Center Associate

Horticultural Assistant

Grower’s Assistant

This certificate provides a strong foundation for employment in production greenhouses, garden centers, and plant nurseries, where graduates contribute directly to growing and maintaining a range of ornamental and agricultural crops.

 

Program Requirements

Technical Studies Required 20 Credits

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1141Nursery Propagation and Production

3

LNDC1160Greenhouse Infrastructure Technology

2

LNDC1166Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Fall

3

LNDC1176Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Winter

3

LNDC1187Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Summer

2

LNDC1220Integrated Pest Management

2

LNDC1250Bedding Plant Production

3

LNDC2210Tropical Plants and Their Uses

2

General Education Required 0 Credits

General Education Elective 0 Credits

Technical Studies Elective 2 Credits

Recommended:

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1231Nursery Operations

2

LNDC1400Small Business Planning

2

LNDC1500Small Business Management

2

Total Occupational Certificate Credits 22

Semester Sequence

Offered at Brooklyn Park Only

First Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1166Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Fall

3

LNDC1141Nursery Propagation and Production

3

Technical Studies Electives

2

Total Credits  8

Second Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1160Greenhouse Infrastructure Technology

2

LNDC1176Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Winter

3

LNDC1220Integrated Pest Management

2

LNDC1250Bedding Plant Production

3

LNDC2210Tropical Plants and Their Uses

2

Total Credits  12

Summer Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1187Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Summer

2

Total Credits  2

Technical Studies Electives

Recommended:

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1231Nursery Operations

2

LNDC1400Small Business Planning

2

LNDC1500Small Business Management

2

Choose a Total of: 2 Credits

Graduation (22 Credits)

Semester listings reflect the recommended sequence.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, the information herein is subject to change without notice.

 

3/3/2026 : BP 6114 / EP