INDUSTRY EDUCATION
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY The Iowa State University Department of Horticulture Turfgrass Management option has an excellent national reputation and students are sought after by employers throughout the country . Iowa State University Turfgrass Management students learn all the skills necessary to maintain turf that could earn them a position as a sports field manager , golf course superintendent , lawn care specialist , or municipal grounds professional .
“ The coursework focuses on the importance of soils , plant function , and the management of insects and disease ,” said Barb Clawson , student services specialist , associate teaching professor and academic advisor . “ Hands-on experience , amazing internship opportunities , and professional development .”
According to Clawson , Iowa State Turfgrass Management students graduate the program into jobs as assistant golf course superintendents , AIT , golf course superintendents , sports field managers , irrigation technicians , small equipment or fertilizer / chemical sales , spray technicians , lawn care professionals – some combining turf with landscape design , installation and management skills .
Clawson said that , at the beginning of the fall 2022 semester , of 154 students total in the Horticulture program , 32 were in Turfgrass Management .
According to Adam Thoms , Ph . D ., assistant professor of commercial turfgrass in the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University , students have the chance to be a part of research through various undergraduate research assistant positions .
30 SportsField Management | January 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com