LANDSCAPE AND TURFGRASS TECHNICIAN PROGRAM EXPANDS

Students in the Landscape and Turfgrass Technician Program at Iowa Lakes Community College are getting an early start on their classwork as the program expands from a two-semester certificate to a three-semester diploma.

Students are now starting in June – instead of waiting for a fall entry date. This permits the students to enter the job market in the spring when job opportunities are more plentiful, as well as receive additional training and on-the-job experience.

“We had extensive discussions with our advisory committee – and students – and they recommended these changes which encouraged us to expand,” said Kevin Fehr, Instructor of the Landscape and Turfgrass program. “Our new students are excited about the changes and are getting a chance to really experience this career right away.”

So far this summer the students have had an opportunity to go on several field trips to learn more about the different careers in the industry and they’ve really ‘dug in’ with hands-on projects around the college.

“Students have been very excited and it’s been an eye-opening experience for them to see the vastly different careers they could pursue,” said Fehr. “They’ve seen everything from golf courses to garden centers and nurseries; as well as landscaping projects and even a sod farm.”

Students are working on installing an automatic irrigation controller from the trenching of the electrical lines to replacing sprinkler heads. They’ve been using a variety of equipment including: the greens mowers, a fairway mower, tractor, skid-loader, sod cutter, tiller and weed eater.

“Taking the Iowa Lakes Landscape and Turfgrass program is an amazing experience for people who like the outdoors and working with their hands. I have learned a lot over the summer, probably the most I have ever learned,” said Kyle Reinhardt, a student in the program from Algona.

“This Landscape and Turfgrass program is great. I feel it is a great stepping stone for a successful career in the golf course/landscape industry,” said Jon Williams, another student in the program from Emmetsburg.

Students received 21 credits of classes under the Golf Course and Turfgrass certificate. They now receive 49 class credits for the diploma in Landscape and Turfgrass. The last 10 weeks of the spring semester, the students are at an on-the-job training at a business of their choice.

For more information about the program, contact Fehr at (712) 852-5206.