Marlington horticulture program grows hands-on career skills

The Marlington Local School District’s horticultural program at Marlington High School is a two-year, hands-on program in which students focus on two main areas of the industry. The program is led by Eric Tanner, and the Career and Technical Education director at Marlington is Mike Farrell. The program is also available to Alliance High School students, as Alliance and Marlington share several CTE programs.

In year one, juniors focus primarily on the floral design industry. In this course, students learn the principles and elements of design and apply that knowledge through hands-on floral design lab projects. These include corsage and boutonniere construction, flower-of-the-month club subscriptions, and event and banquet design. Students also learn the basics of plant science and business management as they apply to the industry.

In year two, seniors learn the art of greenhouse management. Students learn how to maintain and operate a functional retail greenhouse. They plan and grow plants for Marlington’s spring plant sale, grow hydroponic vegetables in four different types of systems, and perform routine maintenance and upgrades to bring facilities up to industry standards.

The horticulture program operates a retail greenhouse and floral shop where students gain real-world experience. Everyday skills include workplace responsibilities, customer service, sanitation and safety, and leadership. The Marlington horticulture program continues to grow through the support of staff, community, parents and students.