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.

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College 101 (10890165)

1.00

Examines proven strategies designed to help learners achieve greater personal, academic, and professional success. Learners will apply personal responsibility thinking and behaviors; self- management, awareness, and motivation strategies; as well as interdependence skills to develop a proactive life plan.

NTC Assessments Offered:

Agricultural Accounting (10091186)

2.00

Introduces the key concepts that a businessperson needs to understand. Learners explore three primary financial statements: the balance sheet, the income statement and the cash flow statement. Application of accounting processes: cash and accrual methods, recording business transactions, making a trial balance, creating financial statements and keeping records. Examination of various benchmarks utilizing financial statements.

Conditions

Students who specified one or more of these Programs of Study or Program Foci: Agri-Business, Dairy Science, Garden to Market Specialist, Veterinary Science

NTC Assessments Offered:

Introduction To Soils (10093102)

2.00

Examines basic soil and plant relationships. Soil fertility is important in considering the role that the soil plays with regard to the availability of nutrients to plants. Learners will study nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as other macro and micro nutrients. Learners will practice appropriate sampling, analyzing and interpretation of soil sample results. Various soil management practices will be discussed, along with soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The soil profile will be examined.

Conditions

Students who specified one or more of these Programs of Study or Program Foci: Crop Science, Garden to Market Specialist

NTC Assessments Offered:

Orientation To The Greenhouse Industry (31001100)

1.00

Explores the scope of the greenhouse sector, including career opportunities. Familiarizes learners with the Agriculture Center of Excellence and standard operating procedures. Learners will begin to develop a strategic college plan. Learners will be exposed to the various opportunities available throughout their program of study.

Designing And Timing Your Garden (31001103)

2.00

Utilizing planning and space saving techniques, learners will develop a wide range of garden designing options available. Additionally, Wisconsin weather should be considered when creating the garden design. Learners will outline when and where to plant and harvest cool and warm season plants.

Greenhouse Operation and Design (31001113)

1.00

Greenhouse parts, structure, and coverings along with environmental controls will be covered throughout this course. Learners will actively participate in the operation of a greenhouse. Learners will evaluate greenhouse structure and design, while participating in greenhouse site assessment.

Fruits & Nuts (31001110)

2.00

Examines all elements of growing, caring for, and harvesting everything from strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries to orchard fruits like apples, pears, peaches, cherries, almonds, and walnuts.

Agriculture Equipment Safety (10093103)

2.00

Introduces learners to the work environment of an agriculture equipment technician. Safety and the use of basic hand and power tools will help the learners work safely and efficiently. Additionally, learners will cover various types of equipment safe operation both in a shop and farm environment. Learners will be completing agriculture equipment driving examination.

Conditions

Students who specified one or more of these Programs of Study or Program Foci: Agri-Business, Crop Science, Dairy Science

NTC Assessments Offered:

Container Gardening (31001101)

1.00

Choosing the right plants, selecting the containers and tools, and caring for the plants throughout the growing season is covered. Small space container gardens can provide a bounty of food in a very small space.

Greenhouse Production (31001115)

2.00

Builds on the content in  Greenhouse Operation and Design by providing the learners additional hands-on experience managing a greenhouse structure on a year-round basis. Greenhouse coverings, environmental controls, and monitoring equipment will be covered throughout this course. Learners will actively participate in the operation of a greenhouse and hoop house as they determine methods of monitoring temperature, ventilation, and plant growth.

Plant Science Basics (10001104)

3.00

Examines plant development, structure and functions. Learners will gain the necessary skills to identify common garden crops in Wisconsin. Through hands-on exploration, text and classroom activities, learners will practice identifying parts of plants and weeds.

Merchandising Produce Applications (31001116)

2.00

Entrepreneurship applications of operating a market garden will be examined. Learners will simulate a small market garden business as they determine inventory, storage, sales, pricing, profit, and loss for their business. Business exploration will include farmers' market stands, community-supported agriculture (CSA) operations, and roadside stands. Customer buying decisions, sales techniques, and visual merchandising produce concepts are covered in this course.

Farm Business Management (10091190)

3.00

Explores basic entrepreneurial concepts, identifying resources that may assist the agriculture business and family in meeting their goals. Applies theory in the development of a business plan: managing risk, budgeting, financial resource acquisition and business structure. Learners explore various techniques and alternatives used in operating an agriculture business.

Conditions

Student has satisfied all of the following: [Students who specified one or more of these Programs of Study or Program Foci: Agri-Business, Dairy Science, Veterinary Science] And Student has satisfied all of the following: [Student has completed all of the following course(s): ANIMALHU 10091186 - Agricultural Accounting]

NTC Assessments Offered:

Pesticide/Fertilizer Applications (10093113)

2.00

Familiarizes learners with pest management practices. Pest management requires modern equipment to apply a variety of pesticides, and there is a vast array of equipment on the market. Learners will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make an effective, safe and efficient application following label instructions. Learners will examine methods of application, equipment choices and calibration and cleaning. Learners will be prepared to take the pesticide applicator exam upon completion of this course.

Commercial Vegetable Cropping Systems (10093115)

2.00

Introduces learners to the commercial vegetable production industry in Wisconsin. Fresh and processing vegetable crops such as: potatoes, sweet corn, snap beans, peas, carrots, onions, cabbage, cranberries, and ginseng will be covered in this course. Learners will explore cultivar selection, equipment, cultural practices, and irrigation and fertilizer methods used to produce specialty crops.

Hydroponics (31001117)

2.00

Explores the fundamentals of hydroponics and growing plants using water as a growing medium. Hands-on learning activities include growing and maintaining plants in an indoor hydroponic growing facility, a bato bucket system, and vertical hydroponic gardens. Learners will discover the scientific concepts behind growing plants in hydroponic systems and become experts in alternative growing methods.

Pest and Disease Management (10001105)

3.00

Researches the latest science-based recommendations for battling garden and field pest problems. Throughout this course, students will learn to identify pests and plant diseases. Learners will determine what corrective action should be taken, if any. Integrated pest management concepts are covered in this course.

Garden Production Basics (31001114)

2.00

Examines plant development and factors that affect plant growth. Through hands-on experience, text, lab and classroom activities, learners will examine environmental effects, market gardening equipment, irrigation tools, and fertilizers necessary to grow healthy, productive plants.

Weed Identification (10093114)

1.00

Examines weed identification concepts at various plant growth stages. Learners will develop the skills necessary to characterize and identify weeds in agronomic and garden settings. Hands-on activities include creating a weed portfolio using a plant press and identifying weed species in crop fields and gardens.

Test-Out Option Term Definitions

Test

An exam that is scored by faculty or staff in NTC’s Testing Center.

Skill Demonstration

A performance of your expertise that is evaluated by faculty.

Combination: Test & Skill Demonstration

A combination of both a test and a skill demonstration.

Portfolio

A collection and explanation of your past learning through work or life experience.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about this program, please contact our Career Coaches at 715.803.1645.

If you have further questions regarding our Credit for Prior Learning options, please contact Student Records at studentrecords@ntc.edu or 715.803.1796.