The knowledge of crop production, plant and soil dynamics, irrigation design, fertilizer/pesticide management, plant physiology, and genetics gained from a major in Crop Production in the Turf Science concentration forms a solid career foundation. Graduates are prepared to work with grass as a crop, for instance in golf course management and design, football stadium management and design, landscaping management, seed production, and others. Turf Science is a more specialized sub-plan in Crop Production than Agronomy.
Potential Career Areas:
- Management
- Design
- Consulting
- Landscaping
- Seed production
- Agricultural engineering
- Soil conservation
Sample Employers:
- Self-employment (consultant)
- Sports stadiums
- Golf courses/resorts
- Development firms
- Farms and ranches
- Government agencies
- Consulting firms
- Universities
- Agricultural research stations
- Commercial labs
- Seed companies
- Agricultural manufacturing
Sample Job Titles and National Salary Ranges:
| Job Title | Salary Range |
|
Soil Conservationist
|
$36,000 - $59,300
|
|
Soil Conservation Technicians
|
$22,540 - $32,000
|
|
Soil Scientist
|
$34,400 - $57,300
|
|
Plant Scientist
|
$34,400 - $57,300
|
|
Botanist
|
$34,128 - $58,390
|
|
Golf Course Superintendent
|
$60,000 - $87,225
|
|
Horticultural Technicians
|
$16,240 - $24,931
|
|
Agricultural Consultant
|
$27,431 - $41,563
|
Sources of Information: United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010); DISCOVER (2011); Facts on File: Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center (2011).