STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Differentiate the various types of nurseries and garden centers (i.e. lifestyle centers vs. volume retail centers vs wholesale

    growing nurseries, rewholesale nurseries, etc.)

 2. Evaluate the functionality and completeness of a nursery and a garden center site plan.

 3. Discuss and explain the pros and cons of the various systems of nursery stock production (i.e. balled and burlapped,

    container grown, above-ground and pot-in-pot production); the pros and cons of starting a new business vs buying an existing business.

 4. Discuss and explain the labeling and grading of nursery stock.

 5. Identify key positions in the management hierarchy of a nursery or garden center and the job duties of employees

    in each of those positions.

 6. Discuss the shipping and receiving of nursery stock (i.e. procedures for dealing with shipping and receiving

    related problems, order and shipment related documents, quarantine compliance, etc.)

 7. Evaluate or write a job description, job announcement, interview questions, training guide, employee handbook and

    performance evaluation form.

 8. Demonstrate the use of production cost data to calculate the cost and pricing of nursery stock.

 9. Explain of the importance of a production schedule and sales benchmarking to nurseries and garden centers.

 10. Discuss the cultural practices used by nurseries including: irrigation, fertilization, over wintering of nursery stock,

     pruning, integrated pest management, and weed control.

 11. Demonstrate an understanding of the economics of the nursery and garden business and the development of a business

     plan for a nursery or garden center.

 12. Explain the contents and functions of various inventory and financial records and indicators used by nurseries

     (production plan vs actual reports, budget vs actual reports, balance sheet, simple return on investment, etc.)

 13. Demonstrate an understanding of occupational safety and hygiene concerns common to garden centers and nurseries

     (ex. equipment safety, pesticide safety and hazard communication, etc).

 14. Evaluate a nursery’s or garden center’s customer service, advertising, displays and signage.

 15. Discuss the importance and contents of a company’s terms of service policies and warranty.

 16. Compare container growth medias as to cost and chemical and physical properties.

 17. Use numeracy and problem solving skills to solve content related problems.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Industry overview

 II. Laws and regulations

 III. Nursery and Garden Center site selection and development

 IV. Personnel and Financial management

 V. Production, shipping and receiving

 VI. Merchandising, selling and marketing