Become an ASHS Certified Horticulturist

Submitted on behalf of Dr. Karen Panter of the University of Wyoming

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:

1. To promote horticultural industry standards and to provide a means to verify professional competence in the field of horticulture.
2. 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.
3. To provide horticulturists with the opportunity to validate their professional competency.
4. 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.
5. To enhance knowledge and skills in the profession through continuing education and recertification requirements.

How would this benefit you?

1. It would advance the development of your own knowledge and skills in horticulture.
2. It would provide others a basis to trust your own work and abilities.
3. It would allow you, as a competent horticulturist, to distinguish yourself from others in the profession.
4. 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.
5. It would show you are a leader in the field of horticulture.
6. It would give you an incentive to continue your ongoing professional development by initially gaining and then maintaining certification.
7. 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