Educational Needs of Turf and Landscape Industry Workforce in Reno-Sparks Metropolitan Area

For more than a century, the University of Nevada Reno as well as the Nevada System of Higher Education has not effectively embraced horticulture and landscape programs. The population of Reno-Sparks Metropolitan Area has been growing rapidly over the last two decades and demographic predictions suggest a further increase. Growing acreage of home lawns, parks, golf courses and other turf areas calls for the efficient management of scarce water resources as well as appropriate management of weeds and insect pests in the Northern Nevada. Presently, around one hundred businesses in the area offer some type of turf and landscape service. Employees having formal horticultural education dominate management positions in larger companies but ordinary workers receive only on-site training and learn their skills on the job. There is an apparent need for formal education in addition to basic training. Over the period of six winter months I have visited employees involved with various types of turf and landscape management responsibilities and I have conducted surveys assessing their professional educational needs. Results of these surveys and analysis of collected data will be presented and discussed.