Horticulture focuses on the intense cultivation of fruit and vegetable crops, ornamental woody and herbaceous nursery crops and their management in the natural landscape. We offer high-quality education and training for undergraduate and graduate students to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in satisfying, high-paying horticultural careers.
This major prepares students for careers in horticulture education, management, and marketing. The major focuses on small-scale food production strategies including local food systems, food production in controlled environments (including containers, greenhouses & high tunnels, hydroponic and aquaponic food production), and tree care and urban forest management. The major also prepares students for entry into research and graduate study in horticultural science or related fields.
Graduates from our horticulture program work in the ornamental landscape design/build industry, and public & private botanical gardens including NASA and Disney Inc. Our graduates also work in tree care companies from California to Massachusetts and serve as urban foresters in communities across South Dakota and surrounding states. Students also begin careers in the local food industry.