Enhance Skills to Improve Efficiencies, Plant Health and Workflow
Taught by experienced industry professionals, the AmericanHort Greenhouse Section Grower Certification program teaches growers advanced horticulture training and business components to create a stronger workforce.
A Smarter, Easier Way to Train
Training is comprised of self-paced courses that fit any schedule. Your team will not only learn how to perform key tasks but also understand the “why” behind their work, boosting confidence and problem-solving skills.
Ideal for employees who want to deepen their understanding of the processes behind greenhouse management. This certification equips more experienced workers with strategic, leadership-focused knowledge.
Certification Program Highlights
Ideal For:
- Section growers responsible for managing specific crops or areas of a greenhouse
- Individuals seeking to deepen their technical and operational expertise
- Experienced growers looking to advance
Focus: Foundation & Science
- Advanced horticultural training in plant nutrition, fertility management, pest and disease control, and crop scheduling.
- Teaches how to apply scientific principles to make data-driven growing decisions.
- Includes business and financial components to prepare growers for increased responsibilities.
Learning Objectives:
- Dive deeper into the scientific reasoning behind greenhouse processes and decision-making.
- Gain expertise in managing plant health through advanced nutrition, fertility, and pest control strategies.
- Learn why specific techniques are used in greenhouse production and how to apply them for optimized plant performance.
- Develop the ability to analyze and make data-driven growing decisions for better yields and efficiency.
- Understand the financial and business aspects of greenhouse operations, preparing for higher-level roles.
Training Format:
- Videos with in-depth explanations of advanced processes from industry experts
- Caption capability to enhance learning
- Guided notes to support learning
- Pre- and post-tests to evaluate knowledge of each course
- Module exams to assess learning
- Hands-on skills assessments to gauge practical proficiency
- Skills checklist for managers to review
- Final exam
“The Section Grower Certification is incredibly relevant, covering common challenges all growers face, such as pH, EC, disease, and pest management. These areas require constant attention to maintain optimal growing conditions, yet much of this knowledge is typically learned through hands-on experience rather than formal education.”
Kyle Ferrantella, DeGroot Inc.
Section Grower Certification Participant
"I highly recommend the Section Grower Certification to anyone in the industry. Every lecture was relevant and directly applicable to my work. There wasn’t a single course where I thought: ‘I won’t need this information.’ Everything covered was incredibly valuable and immediately useful in a greenhouse setting."
Faith, Grow & Gather
Section Grower Certification Participant
Learning Modules
This certification course provides three learning modules, each with specific courses designed to fit the focus and course objectives, enhancing participants’ knowledge and overall skills.
Module One: Substrate, Nutrition and Growth Management
This module provides essential knowledge on greenhouse substrates, plant nutrition, and propagation techniques. Growers will learn to formulate optimal growing media, implement effective nutrient management strategies, and master propagation and acclimation techniques for healthy, high-yield crops.
Courses
Creating Greenhouse Substrates
Course Instructor: Kay Jeong, Ph.D., Sun Gro
Learn the science behind substrate formulation — the key to plant health. Explore materials and best practices in managing pH and electrical conductivity and how to apply those principles and practices to ensure optimal growing conditions and healthy crops.
Tools and Techniques in Plant Nutrition
Course Instructor: Josh Henry, Ph.D, Ball Horticulture
Equip yourself with practical skills in nutrient monitoring and management. Master techniques such as the Pour-Thru Method for immediate application in your greenhouse operations.
Advanced Nutrition & Fertility
Course Instructor: Kimberly Williams, Ph.D., Kansas State University
Enhance crop productivity through tailored fertilization strategies. Understand the interaction between fertilizers and plant growth and refine nutrient management to prevent deficiencies and maximize yield.
Plant Reproduction
Course Instructor: Yiyun Lin, Ph.D.
Learn fundamental and advanced techniques of plant reproduction. Gain insights into sexual and asexual reproduction strategies to improve plant breeding and propagation efforts.
Mastering Acclimation Techniques
Course Instructor: Chris Fifo, Darwin Perennials/Kieft Seed
Learn the specific needs of different propagation materials, such as plugs, liners, and tissue culture. This course provides practical advice on environmental management and nutrient programs to ensure successful plant growth and development.
Module Two: Pest, Disease, & Water Quality Management
This module covers key strategies for optimizing plant growth, water quality, and pest control in greenhouse production. Topics include plant growth regulators, water management, pest scouting, disease prevention, and Integrated Pest Management to enhance plant health and productivity.
Courses
Plant Growth Regulators
Course Instructor: Joyce Latimer, Ph.D., Virginia Tech
Discover how to use plant growth regulators effectively to control and enhance plant development. Learn about different types of regulators and their applications in managing plant growth in a greenhouse setting.
Understanding Water Quality to Enhance Yield, Quality, and Resistance
Course Instructor: Byran Fuhrmann, SePRO
Explore how water quality impacts plant health, nutrient uptake, and disease resistance. This course covers key water parameters like pH and conductivity, offering strategies to optimize water quality for improved plant performance.
Pest Scouting
Course Instructor: John Sanderson, Cornell University
Master advanced pest scouting techniques to identify and monitor common greenhouse pests. Understand their physical characteristics, life cycles, and the signs of damage they cause while gaining proficiency in the use of tools like sticky traps and sentinel plants for effective pest management.
Developing an Integrated Pest Management Plan
Course Instructor: Erfan Vafaie, BioWorks, Inc.
Delve into creating and implementing effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Learn about biological and chemical pest control methods, monitoring techniques, and the importance of teamwork and documentation in managing pests.
Managing Greenhouse and Nursery Diseases
Course Instructor: Emma Lookabaugh, BASF
Gain insights into preventing and managing common diseases in greenhouse and nursery settings. Learn about proactive disease management, the strategic use of fungicides, and developing comprehensive spray programs to maintain healthy crops.
Module Three: Optimizing Greenhouse Efficiency in Lighting, Quality Control, and Business
This module covers essential aspects of greenhouse operations, including advanced lighting strategies, quality control, crop scheduling, and financial management. Growers will learn to optimize lighting systems, maintain crop consistency, align production with market demands, and connect financial performance to greenhouse practices.
Courses
Lighting in the Greenhouse
Course Instructor: Colin Brice, Signify
Explore modern lighting technologies, including LED applications, to enhance plant growth and productivity. This course teaches you to optimize your lighting systems, offering “light recipes” tailored to specific crops, which is key to boosting yield and quality.
Quality Control Programs
Course Instructor: Jason Twadell, Ball Horticulture
Delve into creating robust quality control systems by learning to set standards and implementing checks that ensure crop consistency and high quality. This course is crucial for growers, aiming to enhance their crop management and meet top industry standards efficiently.
Horticultural Crop Scheduling
Course Instructor: Alicain Carlson, Syngenta
This course equips growers with strategies to effectively plan and manage crop schedules. It focuses on aligning planting and harvesting cycles with market demands and optimizing production timelines, crucial for maximizing profitability in competitive markets.
Basics of a P&L Statement and Associating it with Production Practices
Course Instructor: Dave Holley, Moss Greenhouses
Gain a foundational understanding of profit and loss (P&L) statements and learn how to connect financial outcomes with production practices. This financial literacy is essential for making informed business decisions that enhance profitability and operational efficiency.
How is this different from HortCred?
HortCred is a micro-credential program that allows you to advance knowledge in a variety of topics across the horticulture spectrum
Greenhouse Grower Certification Pricing
| Member Level | Price Per Module | Bundle Price |
|---|---|---|
| AmericanHort Premium Member | $249 | $639 |
| AmericanHort Member | $299 | $749 |
| Non-Member | $499 | $1,249 |
Make the most of your training investment, purchase all three modules in a bundle for the greatest savings.
Enroll now in the AmericanHort Greenhouse Technician Certification Program.
Not an AmericanHort member? Become a member today and save even more.