Many times, people are drawn to jobs in the green indus-
try because they like to raise plants. Gardening, studying
plant life, and caring for lawns are all excellent ways to
cultivate an interest.
Gardening
Having a garden or joining a garden club is a good way to
start learning about plants. But for more comprehensive
education, many people participate in “master gardener”
training programs offered at little or no cost by the agri-
cultural cooperative extension services of State land-grant
universities. Typically, gardeners in these programs
learn about topics such as botany, composting, organic
gardening, pesticide use and safety, and soils and fertil-
izers.
At the end of the training, participants are certified as
master gardeners, a credential that can later help in their
quest for a job in the green industry. In return for certi-
fication, gardeners agree to donate a specified number
of hours to community education service that is related
to what they have learned. They might perform
environmental gardening demonstrations or teach a
seminar, for example.
Plant studies
The study of plant life can begin early. Students
in junior high and high school can take classes in
subjects such as biology, botany, and environmental
science.
But the best preparation for a future in the green
industry includes other subjects as well. Mathematics
helps with calculating and measuring fertilizers and
additives, preparing cost estimates, and managing
business affairs. And classes related to communica-
tions are helpful in these careers, which nearly always
require interaction with clients or with other workers.
Lawn care
People of all ages can get a headstart on landscape
careers by operating a one-person, informal lawn care
business. These entrepreneurs solicit business from resi-
dential customers, charging fees to do basic groundskeep-
ing tasks, such as mowing, weeding, hedge trimming, and
gardening.
A common endeavor for teenagers, this pursuit
provides experience in business, customer relations, and
gardening and groundskeeping. Exposure to this kind of
work may help them to decide whether to pursue a career
in the green industry.
Lawn care is a good way to gauge interest
in a green career.

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