HLSM - Horticulture, Land Systems, and Management

This course is an introduction to the horticulture land systems management program (HLSM). Students seeking an associate's degree, certificate of achievement or career certificate in the HLSM program should take this course during the first quarter of enrollment.

Students will evaluate Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) and other similar programs used to protect produce from contamination.  Students will investigate routes of contamination and develop best management practices that will produce a safe product for consumers.  Students will practice safe handling techniques, monitor outcomes, analyze results, evaluate current business practices and recommend ways to reduce contamination.

This course forms the basis for all the other horticulture courses. It includes the study of structures and functions in plants; requirements for growth and production, including soil and fertilizers, temperature, light, growth stimulants and retardants, and water use and application; propagation; and growing problems as they relate to the production of vegetables, bedding plants, bulbs, nursery stock, potted plants, and cut flowers. Hands-on laboratory experience is provided.

Students are introduced to the methods and applications of raising fish together with plants in closed recirculating systems. Topics include aquaponics principles and system designs, nitrogen cycling and water quality, and fish and plant biology and health. Emphasis is on flood and drain culture of Tilapia, vegetables and herbs.

Students explore the basic skills, mechanics, artistry, and career possibilities present in the professional floral design industry. Students apply design techniques and use materials common to the field to produce floral arrangements for various events.  Students will design and decorate with cut flowers, potted plants and permanent botanicals.

Students learn the requirements for the Nebraska Pesticide Applicators' License as outlined in the Core Manual and the Ornamental and Turf Pest Control Manual, prepared by UNL Extension, in preparation for successful completion of the NE Department of Agriculture exams in weed, insect and disease applicator certification.

Students are introduced to the areas involved in planning, designing and drawing landscapes including the proper use of drafting equipment and technology. This course covers the basics of sites and site maps, how to draw maps, the tools to use and how to perform basic site analysis.

This course studies perennials in the landscape focusing on perennials of the Midwest and Nebraska natives. Emphasis is placed on culture, flower/leaf morphology, texture, color, proper location, soil and blooming periods.

This course includes the laboratory and discussion of the culture and care of turf areas, including residential, public, and intense use areas. Emphasis is on propagation, establishment, identification, watering, fertilizing, insects, diseases, and the safe use of power tools for grasses used in Nebraska turf.

Students identify fruit and fruit bearing plants of the region by their common and botanical names.  Students will evaluate fruit and fruit products from a marketing and sales perspective and investigate different methods of preparation and preservation of product.  Students will also learn the cultural and physical care requirements for those plants and use the information to create a planting and maintenance plan for a project site.

Students will learn botanical and common names of structural trees and shrubs for Midwest Landscapes. Students will learn physical characteristics, growth rate, care and pests to help ID and place trees and shrubs in the landscape.

Students will learn botanical and common names of ornamental trees and shrubs for midwest landscapes. Students will learn physical characteristics, growth rate, care and pests to help ID and place trees and shrubs in the landscape.

This course provides an in-depth and hands-on experience with the plants that are used in the floral design industry. This course stresses nomenclature and identification. Emphasis is placed on characteristics that help in identification including leaf, flower, stems, time of bloom, size of blub, and the proper environment for growth. Students have hands-on learning experiences as they explore proper procedures for care and handling techniques.

This course provides advanced practice leading to excellence in designing for specialty events.

This course provides advanced practice leading to excellence in designing for weddings, home decor, edible arrangements, funerals, and parties.

This course provides advanced practice leading to excellence in designing for sympathy and remembrance designs. Students learn all aspects of sympathy designs from consultation with loved ones to completion of designs.

This course explores current 2-D computer applications as they relate to the landscape industry. Students explore drafting and different uses for the application along with how to use these platforms to communicate to clients and contractors.

This course explores current 3-D computer applications as they relate to the landscape industry. Students explore drafting and different uses for the application along with how to use these platforms to communicate to clients and contractors. l

Students develop a deeper sense of understanding of construction documents and the elements needed to construct them properly. The materials covered include instruction on reading and putting together construction documents, details of both hardscape and elements in the landscape.

Students will learn how to maintain turfgrass areas and landscape beds. Students will learn how to use and properly maintain the tools used in turfgrass and landscape maintenance. Students will learn how to properly calculate mulch, fertilizer and soil requirements and how to properly plant a variety of plant materials. Students will learn how to cost out a maintenance project.

This class will introduce students to the basic principles and importance of natural systems, focusing on ecology and biodiversity. Students will also be introduced to the role of sustainability in horticulture and its effect on natural systems. This class encourages critical thinking about current industry practices and their impact. Current and potential sustainable technology will be examined along with a brief history of sustainability.

This course provides advanced practice leading to excellence in designing for weddings.

This course teaches the introduction to the design and implementation of corsage and boutonnieres. Students work through the basic fundamentals of working with flowers, taping, wiring, gluing, and decorative additions. Students design for several different occasions.

This course teaches advanced design and implementation of corsage and boutonnieres along with the current trends in floral body wear. Students work through advanced fundamentals of working with flowers, taping, wiring, gluing, and decorative additions. Students design for several different occasions.

This course teaches advanced design and implementation of bouquets along with the current trends in bridal floral accessories. Students work through advanced fundamentals of working with flowers, taping, wiring, gluing, and decorative additions. Students design for several different types of bouquets.

Students are introduced to the areas involved in planning, designing, and composing landscapes including the proper use of drafting equipment and technology. Students learn existing site analysis, correct identification of site opportunities and issues, and different types of design theory and methods.

Students demonstrate their ability to design and compose landscapes in this final design class that focuses on the relationship between plants and design. Students briefly review previous classes and have an opportunity to work on a large design project of their own from beginning to end.

This course builds an understanding of landscape tools and how landscape products are installed. The material covered includes instruction on how to construct landscape elements and different materials available. Material covered will vary based on new trends and technology.

This course is the study of the history of restorative gardens and the benefits provided to people. The course emphasizes therapeutic benefits to people working with plants and gardens.

This course introduces students to the basic principles and importance of regional planning.

This course introduces students to the basic principles and importance of topography, soil, and storm water.

This course covers the principles and practices of plant propagation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of clones/cultivars that are maintained by seed and vegetative means. Students study the physiological development of plants from seed to maturity and the many ways to propagate them in these stages. The course also offers hands-on introduction to these propagation techniques as well as learning the wide range of plants that are propagated in each area.

This course is an introduction to plant diseases of economic importance to horticultural crops. Identifying characteristics of diseases, life cycles, and IPM control methods are examined.

This course examines detection, identification, and control of insects that damage ornamental plants. Identifying insect characteristics, life cycles, and IPM control methods are examined.

This is an introductory course studying plant morphology and physiology of herbaceous and woody plant divisions within the plant kingdom.

Students receive an overview of the current study of urban agriculture with emphasis on production in limited production area models. Areas explored include the different marketing methods available to small producers, locating current sources for business development and the agricultural products that can be produced.

Students learn about food systems through cultivating a diverse vegetable garden. Emphasis is placed on organic and biodynamic management practices.

This course covers the principles and practices of small animal husbandry: laying chickens and other poultry, rabbits, and squab. The course covers purchasing, housing, behavior, hygiene, nutrition, and harvest/fabrication.

This course provides an opportunity for students to acquire knowledge and skills in producing greenhouse crops under glass, in plastic structures, and outdoors.

This course permits instruction in special content areas not included in other horticulture courses, depending upon interest and relevancy to the curriculum. Topics may include EPA certification, water gardening, and rain gardens.

Students work in a horticulture-related field under the direction of a qualified supervisor. Based on state guidelines, students must complete 40 hours of work for each credit hour.

Students work with the horticulture faculty in designing, implementing, and evaluating a special horticulture project. Students meet with the faculty on a regular basis for consultation and evaluation.