Analysis of Recent Enrollment Trends and Recruiting Strategies in Horticulture

Abstract

<jats:p>A survey of bachelor degree programs in the United States indicated that horticultural enrollment declined 4.4% between 1986 and 1988. Programs that increased enrollment (39% of those responding) were more likely to use various recruitment materials and activities than were those with declining or no change in enrollment (48% and 13%, respectively). Supply of students and time required to recruit were most often reported as high priority issues. The percentage of new majors recently graduated from high school had declined in 43% of the programs, but increases were reported in students age 22 and above, no prior horticultural experience, and interested in a part-time program. Both the direct approach, open house or personal visit, and the indirect approach, students and alumni promoting the program, were reported as effective recruitment activities.</jats:p>

Awareness of and Interest in Native Wildflowers among College Students in Plant-related Disciplines: A Case Study from Florida

“…cultivation of these species-all of these factors can be incorporated into horticultural education programs. This is particularly relevant as plant science programs continue to experience decreasing or flat enrollment (Darnell and Cheek, 2005;McCallister et al, 2005;Rhodus, 1990) and face pressure to bring in more students. Although students were able to identify areas where FNWs occur with little trouble and claimed to be able to identify by sight a good number of FNWs, their ability to accurately identify flowering season for FNWs was skewed compared with reported flowering season (Table 2; Bell and Taylor, 1982;Taylor, 1998;Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association, 2003).…”

A High School Summer Academy’s Effect on Increasing Awareness of the Horticulture Industry and Its Potential to Develop Future Horticulturists

“…A good way to increase awareness and interest in different careers is to provide positive experiences for youth (Crombie et al, 2003) since students look to their experiences when developing both educational and occupational plans (Odell, 1988). Rhodus (1990) found that career-influencing events increase enrollment in horticulture programs, even when the increase in enrollment might not be seen for a few years. One way to introduce students to career opportunities in the sciences is to engage them in summer science programs before their college years.…”

“…A rapidly growing world population needs horticulturists to produce more food with fewer resources and to improve the nutritional content of horticultural crops [American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), 2014]. However, student populations in horticulture departments have continued to decrease in the past few decades (Hewett, 2015;Lower, 1991;Palmer, 2004;Rhodus, 1990). Some of the decline is due to common worldwide perceptions that horticulture is primarily manual work, not requiring postsecondary education (Palmer, 2004).…”

Careers in Horticulture: The Video

“…of Delaware's procedure for recruiting students into a graduate program in garden administration. Rhodus (1990) reported considerable effort on the part of individual schools using many tools and approaches, but cited no collaborative efforts and no national focus. National ASHS educational forums (Albrecht, 1990;Stack, 1989) and industry publications (Hundley, 1988;Meister, 1989) have addressed the challenge of student recruitment and have suggested the need for a national effort.…”