Crop & Soil Sciences: Academic Programs: Undergraduate
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What is Turfgrass Management?
Turfgrass management is the study of the science and culture of fine grasses that are used on golf courses, athletic fields, home lawns, and other areas requiring an attractive but functional groundcover. Increasing interest in outdoor recreational activities as well as aesthetically appealing landscaped areas has created a demand for professional turfgrass managers.
The turfgrass industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. In Georgia, it is estimated at more than one billion dollars. Completion of the turfgrass management major will allow a student the opportunity to pursue a career in golf course, athletic field, park, school, and commercial grounds management. There are many openings in the relatively new chemical lawn care industry as well as with sod production, lawn maintenance, and landscaping firms. Other opportunities include the need for well-trained individuals in the areas of turfgrass seed, chemical, and equipment sales and service. Some graduates have obtained employment in the irrigation design and installation segment of the industry, while others have found challenging careers in university research, private consulting, or with the Cooperative Extension Service. The current and future outlook for job availability is excellent. For example, two-thirds of the respondents of a recent nationwide survey of 4-year turf programs indicated between 2 to 4 jobs per graduating student. Almost 40 percent of the respondents also indicated that they expected job availability to increase over the next several years. In short, the future looks extremely bright for careers in turfgrass management.
What are typical jobs?
- Golf Course Management
- Private and University Research
- Extension Service Specialist
- Irrigation Design
- Athletic Field Management
- Equipment Sales and Service
- Consulting
- Landscaping
- Sod Production
- Seed and Chemical Sales and Service
- Commercial Grounds Management
- Parks and School Grounds Maintenance
What kind of salary can I expect?
There are 2 to 3 jobs per graduate and average starting salaries are more than $24,000.
Where can I find more information?
- Academics at CAES: Turfgrass Management
- The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
- The US Golf Association
- Sports Turf Managers Association
- Crop Science Society of America