Garden to Market Specialist
36 Credit Technical DiplomaProgram Description
The Garden to Market Specialist Technical Diploma is designed for anyone interested in market gardening and fruit and vegetable production in a variety of agricultural settings. Learners will develop skills to start their own enterprises growing produce and other agriculture products to sell. Hands-on and classroom trainings are offered in both a hoop house and greenhouse lab setting.
Please note: This program is subject to the Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion and some courses listed will not be eligible for full financial aid funding based on the program’s credit hours.
Found in These Career Fields:
Approximate Program Cost
$5,645
Tuition & Fees:
$5,379
Books & Supplies: $266
Books & Supplies: $266
Starting Salary
$15,082–$19,458
Average,
according to Lightcast
Financial Aid
Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
Media from the Garden to Market Specialist Program
Take a Look Around
Availability
Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
- Develop a small business operational plan
- Demonstrate best management practices in developing a controlled plant environment
- Prescribe effective pest management systems
- Determine how to grow and manage a variety of garden plants
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
- Urban Farmer
- Vineyard Worker
- Garden Center Worker
- Hydroponics Specialist
- Integrated Pest Management Specialist
- Plant Technician
- Groundskeeper
- Orchard Worker
- Vegetable Grower
- Farm Laborer
- Nursery Worker
- Floriculturist
- Market Gardener
- Plant Propagation Specialist
- Horticulturalist
- Greenhouse Grower
Courses
The Garden to Market Specialist Technical Diploma is a 36 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better.
Credit for Prior Learning Available
View All Detailed Course Information
Cost of Attendance
2024–2025 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.
| Expenses | Student Living With Parents (Home) | Student Living on Own (Other) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring) |
|
|
|
|
| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $3,008 | $9,147 | ||
| Books / Supplies | $1,465 | $1,465 | ||
| Transportation | $4,017 | $4,017 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $3,608 | $3,608 | ||
| Loan Fees | $85 | $85 | ||
| Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance |
|
|
|
|
* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2024–2025 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, the Wisconsin Resident tuition rate is $149.50 per credit and Out-of-State resident tuition is $224.25 per credit.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Fees include: a minimum $5.00 material fee and a $13.15 per credit activity fee. A $4.00 per semester insurance fee will be assessed to students taking at least one course which has a scheduled session on campus.
Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.
NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.
For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
-
NTC Financial Aid Office
- 715.803.1647
- financialaid@ntc.edu
Additional Information
Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion
This program is subject to the Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion and some courses listed will not be eligible for full financial aid funding based on the program’s credit hours.
| Term | Course | Credit Hours | Financial Aid Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COLLEGE 101 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | AGRICULTURAL ACCOUNTING | 2 | 1.8 |
| 1 | INTRODUCTION TO SOILS | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | ORIENTATION TO THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | DESIGNING & TIMING YOUR GARDEN | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | GREENHOUSE OPERATIONA AND DESIGN | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | FRUIT CROP PRODUCTION | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT SAFETY | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | CONTAINER GARDENING | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | PLANT SCIENCE BASICS | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | MERCHANDISING PRODUCE APPLICATIONS | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | PESTICIDE/FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | COMMERICAL VETETABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | HYDROPONICS | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | GARDEN PRODUCTION BASICS | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | WEED IDENTIFICATION | 1 | 1 |
For more information, please refer to our Financial Aid Policies.
Admissions Process
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.
Before you apply, you should know
- The majority of the courses in this program take place at NTC’s Agriculture Center of Excellence, located at 6625 County Road K, Wausau, WI.
Fill out our application
The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.
Apply NowWhat’s Next?
We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.