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Landscape and Turf Management

Program Overview

The Landscape and Turf Management program prepares you for a variety of landscape, grounds maintenance, and turf management professional careers. You will learn the science, technical, and managerial knowledge and skills necessary to be successful, including:

  • Turfgrass growth and development
  • Athletic field maintenance
  • Construction safety
  • Pesticide application and safety
  • Landscape estimating and construction
  • Irrigation systems
  • Soil fertility and testing

Many students earn additional certifications as part of their coursework:

  • Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Commercial Pesticide Applicators License
  • OSHA certification in construction safety
  • Certified irrigation designer
  • Certified concreate paver installer.

Educational diversity creates an added advantage for students. As a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), the program offers you an opportunity to compete in national collegiate landscape competitions.

Hands-On Learning Experiences

  • Utilize industry leading technology including precision turf management equipment, business management software, and GPS systems.

  • Field Trips: Opportunities to visit local golf courses and other businesses to experience their operation and gain first-hand knowledge of day-to-day business.

  • Community outreach opportunities to serve the community in various ways such as growing vegetables for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and other projects that benefit the communities and school districts we serve.

  • Opportunities to volunteer at various PGA tournaments on the grounds crew.

  • Conferences and Workshops: Expand your knowledge and leadership skills at many regional and national conference groups, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Iowa Turfgrass Institute that is composed of the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association, Iowa Sports Turf Managers Association, and Iowa Professional Lawn Care Association. You will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops and professional development activities through our membership and affiliation with Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).

  • Employment Experience: Gain 320 hours of real-world work experience ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

The association also provides an opportunity for exchanging ideas and educational materials in addition to providing opportunities for faculty professional development and networking.

Transfer Information

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

Careers

Positions

Careers in landscape and turf management include:

  • Golf course superintendent
  • Sports turf manager
  • Property manager
  • Landscape foreman
  • Grounds maintenance
  • Lawn care technician
  • Equipment and turf product sales positions
  • Irrigation auditors/designers

The program is nationally known for the quality of managers and superintendents. Local, as well as employers from all over the country, regularly hire interns and graduates to fill open positions.

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
Bear Creek Landscapes Cedar Falls, IA
Beaver Hills Country Club Cedar Falls, IA
City of Cedar Falls Cedar Falls, IA
Elmcrest Country Club Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa Cubs Des Moines, IA
Matthias Landscaping Co. Cedar Falls, IA
Minnesota Vikings Minneapolis, MN
Sunnyside Country Club Waterloo, IA
Wapsie Pines Lawn Care & Landscaping Dunkerton, IA
Waterloo Leisure Services Waterloo, IA

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers $31,900 $48,800 $57,200
Golf Course Superintendents and Turf Managers $93,200* $109,600*
Grounds Maintenance Workers $23,800 $42,100 $51,200
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers $21,500 $31,400 $36,400
Pesticide Handlers, Vegetation Sprayers and Applicators $30,700 $37,300 $40,600

Source: 2020 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development
* Source: 2019 Benefits and Compensation Report, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

State of the Industry

There is currently a large labor gap in the landscape and turf management industry, particularly in the well-paying management and foreman roles.

Golf courses and athletic facilities of all levels, including the professional level, are finding it difficult to find employees with the technical education to fill leadership positions such as superintendents, assistant superintendents, and sports field managers.

Industry data shows that many currently working in the industry are nearing retirement. This will likely continue to increase the demand for technically skilled workers to take their place.

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