Results of a Horticulture Survey Completed by Agriculture and Biology Students attending High Schools in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin

Students enrolled in agriculture and biology classes were surveyed to determine their interest in pursing a baccalaureate degree in horticulture at a four-year university. A questionnaire was sent to agriculture and biology instructors at fifty high schools in northwestern Illinois, northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Students were asked several questions pertaining to horticulture. A total of 1000 questionnaires were mailed. Of the 451 surveys received, about 47% of the high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors indicated that they were interested in horticulture. About 41% of the students interested in horticulture wanted to work in landscaping, 20% greenhouse, 14% florist shop and 7% in turf grass management. Over 70% of the students indicated that they wanted to own and operate their own horticultural business. About 50% of the students indicated that they preferred to combine an emphasis or minor in Agribusiness or Business Administration compared to agronomy (19%), biotechnology (14%), plant breeding and genetics (13%) or comprehensive horticulture (2%) with their horticulture degree. The above information was used to develop a major in Ornamental Horticulture.