Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training

2 people planting in a raised bed with greenhouse in background

For your career.

The Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training is a three-part curriculum providing foundational horticulture education for entry-level positions. Developed with industry input, it provides practical skills and knowledge that employers value.

The course blends flexible online learning with a hands-on apprenticeship experience, making it ideal for those starting a horticulture career, enhancing existing skills, or launching their own business.

“This program allowed a competent gardener to become more ready to enter the business world.” – MHAT Apprentice Host

“When your apprentice does their homework and is eager to gain knowledge in their field, they will sometimes show YOU a better way of doing something!” – MHAT Apprentice Host

 

Learn More About Hosting a Trained Horticulture Apprentice at Your Business or Organization

Course Basics: 

  • Time Commitment:
    • 18 week online course with 4 – 5 hours per week of self-paced content, plus live Q&A sessions on Zoom
    • 200 hour apprenticeship
  • Topics: Introduction to the Horticulture Industry, Foundations of Horticulture, Food Production, Gardens Pests and Diseases, and Maine Landscape and Design.

Earn a Maine Horticulture Apprenticeship Microcredential and the title Certified Maine Horticulture Apprentice

Which of our three in-depth courses is right for you?

Commercial scale hoop houses and 7 people talking in the background with flowers in the foreground

How to stay up to date on our next course:

We would like to thank the Maine Horticulture Apprentice Micro-credential Advisory Committee for volunteering their time and their expertise to assist us in creating this training program.

Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training Advisory Committee

  • Gary Fish, Sarah Scally and Carole Neil, Horticulture Program, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
  • John Pietroski and Amanda Couture, Maine Board of Pesticide Control
  • Lee Skillin, Skillin Greenhouse and Vice President of Maine Landscape and Nursery Association
  • Don Sproul, Executive Director of MELNA
  • Charlene Gray, University of Maine
  • Cheryl Rich, Southern Maine Community College
  • Irene Barber, Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
  • Laura Wilson, Kate Garland, Mari Glatter, Pamela Hargest, Rebecca Long, Rebecca Gray, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).