Doug Miller

Instructor, School of Business and Applied Technologies: Agriculture

Main Campus
Bremer Hall 111G
319-296-2320 ext. 1366
douglas.miller@hawkeyecollege.edu

I grew up locally in Butler County, graduated from Aplington-Parkersburg High School, then attended Hawkeye Community College before continuing my education at Iowa State University where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Horticulture.

I have over 20 years of professional experience in landscape and turfgrass management and came to Hawkeye with extensive "real-world" experience from various segments of the industry such as:

• Residential and commercial lawn care and landscape construction
• Facilities management
• Athletic field management
• Golf course operations and management
• Commercial sod production
• Specialty applications including:
  • Low voltage landscape lighting
  • Water features and pond installation
  • Irrigation design, installation, and maintenance
  • Snow and ice removal
  • Professional holiday lighting

I've been teaching in the Landscape and Turf Management program at Hawkeye since 2015. My teaching style includes hands-on learning activities whenever possible, highlighting the fundamentals of a subject and explaining the “why” behind each topic, and encouraging the consideration of innovative new practices being experimented with in the industry. I enjoy making connections with each student, discussing their individual career goals, advising on employment/internship opportunities, and helping them gain confidence in their earned knowledge and technical skills.

Certifications and Licensures

• ICPI Certified Concrete Paver Installer. See certificate [pdf]
• Certified in Landscape Management Network (LMN) Software
• Certified Turfgrass Professional by The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator License
• Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Certified
• Class A Commercial Drivers License

Industry Relations

• Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Member
• Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Member
• National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Member
• Cedar Falls Trees Board of Directors Member

Industry Technology

The industry as a whole is becoming more and more technological.

• The adoption of GPS and GIS enabled equipment and tools is increasing rapidly. GPS enabled sprayers and spreaders ensure products are applied as accurately as possible while saving money and protecting natural resources.

• Autonomous (driverless) mowers have moved past the concept stage and can now be found on athletic fields, golf courses, and even residential properties. Even the task of painting and repainting the lines on athletic fields can be done with robotic controlled equipment ensuring consistency and saving on labor and materials.

• Cloud-based systems that are available to track and manage a long list of agronomic metrics, including but not limited to:

  • Soil moisture / plant available water
  • Fertilizer and pesticide applications
  • pH and irrigation water quality
  • Stimp meter and playing surface firmness data