Short Hort Notes
December 16,
2008
Green Industry
Professionals,
On February 18,
2009, be among the first in the country to take (and hopefully pass) the test to
become a Certified Horticulturist! The national CH program is geared toward
working, paid, professional horticulturists who may or may not have any formal
horticultural education.
The goals of the program are simple:
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To promote horticultural industry standards and to provide a means to verify
professional competence in the field of horticulture.
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To identify professionals who demonstrate an established level of knowledge,
skills, and expertise in the field of horticulture and to provide
prospective employers and members of the public with a means to identify
qualified horticulturists.
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To provide horticulturists with the opportunity to validate their
professional competency.
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To raise awareness and confidence in the field of horticulture and to
acknowledge a commitment to the public and government to foster quality
horticultural services.
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To enhance knowledge and skills in the profession through continuing
education and recertification requirements.
How would this benefit you?
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It would advance the development of your own knowledge and skills in
horticulture.
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It would provide others a basis to trust your own work and abilities.
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It would allow you, as a competent horticulturist, to distinguish yourself
from others in the profession.
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It would afford the public and those in government and industry the
opportunity to select your services and skills based on competence
represented by certification designation.
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It would show you are a leader in the field of horticulture.
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It would give you an incentive to continue your ongoing professional
development by initially gaining and then maintaining certification.
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Certification promotes you as a practitioner of best horticultural
practices.
The program is national, meant to dovetail with local and state certification
programs already in place. It is managed by the American Society for
Horticultural Science (ASHS) and is being set up to meet the standards of the
National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). NOCA sets rigid standards
for exam questions, exam proctors, protocol for offering and taking exams, and
much more.
If you are interested, contact us at
kpanter@uwyo.edu for further information. We will be offering the Certified
Horticulturist exam at the Wyoming Groundskeepers and Growers Association
conference in Casper in February – test date is February 18. Check the WGGA
website (www.wgga.org) for further information
on the conference and check the ASHS website (www.ashs.org)
for info on the CH program and exam! You’ll be glad you did.
Karen L. Panter, Ph.D., C.P.H.
Plant Sciences - 3354
1000 East University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
phone 307-766-5117
fax 307-766-5549
email kpanter@uwyo.edu