HortCred: Skill Building.
One Badge at a Time.
Give your team the skills they need to perform with confidence.
Flexible training. Real-world Skills.
Give your team practical skills they can apply on the job. The AmericanHort HortCred micro-credentialing program delivers flexible, topic-focused training that builds real-world ability, strengthens confidence, and recognizes progress with digital badges. Badges cover foundational and advanced skills that support performance across many horticulture roles.
Key Advantages
Build skills across multiple horticulture roles and expereince levels
Customize learning with 100+ videos, articles, and quizzes
Train anytime, anywhere with mobile-friendly, on-demand training
Motivate your team with badges that recognize achievement
Select Badges Available in Spanish
Provide consistent learning opportunities for your team, including your Spanish speaking staff.
Get Started Today
Choose a badge bundle, select topics to fit your team’s needs.
Badge programs available for AmericanHort members only.
Not a member?
Join today!
Pricing Structure
Premium Members
1 Badge $79
3 Badges $199
6 Badges $379
10 Badges $599
Members
1 Badge $99
3 Badges $249
6 Badges $479
10 Badges $749
For organizations needing 10+ licenses, or custom packages, please contact AmericanHort.
Designed for All Skill Levels
Self-paced training supports all proficiency levels and time commitments. 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. Select the option(s) that reflect your team’s individual needs.
- CORE: Foundational knowledge and hands-on skills
- PRO: Advanced proficiencies and team leadership
- LEAD: Leadership and operational management advancement (in development)
HortCred Program Highlights
Access to Training
- One-year access to on-demand training and articles
- Continuously updated industry-specific skills and best practices
- Digital badge and printable certificate available upon completion
- Mobile-friendly learning platform
Eligible for AmericanHort certification programs CEUs.
Available in English and Spanish
Multilingual offerings allow you to provide consistent learning opportunities for your entire team.
Built for Different Skill Levels
From foundational knowledge to advanced topics and advancements in leadership and operational management, there are course offerings for the entire team.
Course Bundle Offerings
Select the bundle(s) and topics that reflect your individual team needs and experience level.
Badges are offered in single or multiple options. Ready-to-use bundles include:
- 1 badge option
- 3 badge bundle
- 6 badge bundle
- 10 badge bundle
To customize bundles, please email the education team for additional information.
Training Format
- Self-paced focused lessons include videos and articles
- Test knowledge through quizzes after each training session
- Digital badge and printable certificate available upon completion
- Mobile-friendly learning platform
Eligible for AmericanHort certification programs CEUs.
How it Works
- Select the badge and level (Core, Pro, Lead) and language
- Learn skills by participating in self-paced focused lessons, which include videos and articles
- Earn your badges by testing knowledge
- Share HortCred digital badges to highlight expertise and professional growth
Learn + Earn + Share
Once you earn a HortCred badge, you can easily share it on LinkedIn, social media, or in your email signature to highlight your expertise and professional growth.
Additional Learning Opportunities
HortCred serves as a bridge to AmericanHort certification programs, providing a quick on ramp to more comprehensive training.
Certification Courses
Explore HortCred Badge Topics
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply irrigation best practices with confidence.
- Understand core irrigation principles and water management basics
- Apply best practices to support plant health and efficient water use
Sample Topics
- Hand-watering fundamentals
- Irrigation system basics (overhead & drip)
- Introduction- to hydroponic systems
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced irrigation concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced irrigation strategies to improve efficiency and crop quality
- Lead irrigation decisions and train your team using data, systems, and water quality insights
Sample Topics
- Advanced hand-watering techniques
- Irrigation systems & troubleshooting
- Water quality & treatment basics
- Fertigation calibration
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply pest management best practices with confidence.
- Understand essential pest management and plant health principles
- Apply proven strategies to prevent and manage pests and diseases
Sample Topics
- Pesticide label basics
- Pest scouting & identification
- Common diseases & risk factors
- Sanitation & IPM fundamentals
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced pest management concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Master advanced pest management strategies to improve decision-making
- Lead with confidence using effective, science-based IPM practices
Sample Topics
- Applied IPM strategies
- Microbial disease management
- Pesticide & biocontrol compatibility
- Phytosanitary shipping practices
- Phytotoxicity prevention
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply propagation, pruning, and growing best practices with confidence.
- Understand core plant growth, propagation, and pruning principles
- Apply best practices to support healthy plant development
Sample Topics
- Plant hormones & growth regulation
- Pruning & propagation sanitation
- Root pruning fundamentals
- Tissue culture basics
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced propagation, pruning, and growing concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced plant growth strategies to improve crop quality
- Make informed decisions using plant physiology and production practices
Sample Topics
- Plant biotechnology applications
- Crop timing & holding strategies
- Plant morphology & physiology
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply nutrition best practices with confidence.
- Understand core plant nutrition and fertilizer principles
- Apply best practices to support healthy plant growth
Sample Topics
- Fertilizer types & release methods
- Fertilizer handling & storage
- Root function & nutrient uptake
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced nutrition concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced nutrition strategies to optimize plant performance
- Make informed decisions using nutrients, water, and crop data
Sample Topics
- Leaching & dosage strategies
- Fertilizer & input compatibility
- Crop-stage nutrition for young plants
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply soils and substrates best practices with confidence.
- Understand core soil and substrate principles for plant growth
- Apply best practices to support root health and growing media performance
Sample Topics
- Potting mix components & function
- Soil texture, structure & pH basics
- Water movement in growing media
- Potting mix handling & storage
- Soil product labels & sales basics
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply professional development best practices with confidence.
- Understand core workplace skills for communication, safety, and teamwork
- Apply best practices to support a professional and productive work environment
Sample Topics
- Workplace safety fundamentals
- Basic Spanish for the workplace
- Workplace communication skills
- Conflict management basics
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced professional development concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced leadership and communication strategies to lead effective teams
- Foster a strong workplace culture focused on safety, engagement, and performance
Sample Topics
Team communication & collaboration
- Safety leadership
- Hiring & retention strategies
- Stress & burnout management
- Leading effective meetings
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply irrigation best practices with confidence.
- Understand core irrigation principles and water management basics
- Apply best practices to support plant health and efficient water use
Sample Topics
- Hand-watering fundamentals
- Irrigation system basics (overhead & drip)
- Introduction- to hydroponic systems
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced irrigation concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced irrigation strategies to improve efficiency and crop quality
- Lead irrigation decisions and train your team using data, systems, and water quality insights
Sample Topics
- Advanced hand-watering techniques
- Irrigation systems & troubleshooting
- Water quality & treatment basics
- Fertigation calibration
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply pest management best practices with confidence.
- Understand essential pest management and plant health principles
- Apply proven strategies to prevent and manage pests and diseases
Sample Topics
- Pesticide label basics
- Pest scouting & identification
- Common diseases & risk factors
- Sanitation & IPM fundamentals
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced pest management concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Master advanced pest management strategies to improve decision-making
- Lead with confidence using effective, science-based IPM practices
Sample Topics
- Applied IPM strategies
- Microbial disease management
- Pesticide & biocontrol compatibility
- Phytosanitary shipping practices
- Phytotoxicity prevention
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply propagation, pruning, and growing best practices with confidence.
- Understand core plant growth, propagation, and pruning principles
- Apply best practices to support healthy plant development
Sample Topics
- Plant hormones & growth regulation
- Pruning & propagation sanitation
- Root pruning fundamentals
- Tissue culture basics
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced propagation, pruning, and growing concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced plant growth strategies to improve crop quality
- Make informed decisions using plant physiology and production practices
Sample Topics
- Plant biotechnology applications
- Crop timing & holding strategies
- Plant morphology & physiology
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply nutrition best practices with confidence.
- Understand core plant nutrition and fertilizer principles
- Apply best practices to support healthy plant growth
Sample Topics
- Fertilizer types & release methods
- Fertilizer handling & storage
- Root function & nutrient uptake
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced nutrition concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced nutrition strategies to optimize plant performance
- Make informed decisions using nutrients, water, and crop data
Sample Topics
- Leaching & dosage strategies
- Fertilizer & input compatibility
- Crop-stage nutrition for young plants
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply soils and substrates best practices with confidence.
- Understand core soil and substrate principles for plant growth
- Apply best practices to support root health and growing media performance
Sample Topics
- Potting mix components & function
- Soil texture, structure & pH basics
- Water movement in growing media
- Potting mix handling & storage
- Soil product labels & sales basics
Core
Build strong foundational knowledge and learn how to apply professional development best practices with confidence.
- Understand core workplace skills for communication, safety, and teamwork
- Apply best practices to support a professional and productive work environment
Sample Topics
- Workplace safety fundamentals
- Basic Spanish for the workplace
- Workplace communication skills
- Conflict management basics
Pro
Take it to the next level and learn advanced professional development concepts to lead your team with confidence and precision.
- Apply advanced leadership and communication strategies to lead effective teams
- Foster a strong workplace culture focused on safety, engagement, and performance
Sample Topics
Team communication & collaboration
- Safety leadership
- Hiring & retention strategies
- Stress & burnout management
- Leading effective meetings