07/29/05 Idaho`s growing horticulture industry

There are nearly 13 thousand people in Idaho working in the nursery and landscaping business. Its been estimated that they help bring in 662 million dollars worth of sales each year, 92 percent of it on products like trees, shrubs, plants and sod. The horticulture industry in Idaho has grown along with the ever expanding state population. At the University of Idaho assistant horticulture professor John Lloyd can tell his students they've hit the right note. LLOYD "On our website for recruitment I say we have 100 percent placement for any student that graduates with a bachelors in horticulture and right now I could probably guarantee 100 percent placement for anybody graduating with a master's degree in this area. The green industry is one of the few growing industries." Boise State University and the College of Southern Idaho provide associate degrees and the University of Idaho works with those students who want to continue on and get their bachelors degree. LLOYD "We constantly getting calls from the industry saying do you have students that have these abilities especially for students that are interested in natural resources, gardening, horticulture, production, anything of that nature. There are jobs out there." And the U of I is doing some important research work to aid the horticulture industry. In our next report some Ponderosa Pine and Blue Spruce updates. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott