NURSERY GROWER

Many nursery growers learn on the job, starting as entry-level nursery workers, or laborers, for small retail operations, and progressing to positions as managers or becoming nursery operators for their own businesses. It's helpful to take high-school courses in science, mathematics, and business, and to read as much as possible about plants, trees, and flowers. To gain valuable experience, work at a nursery on weekends, after school, or on your summers off.

Many nursery growers and laborers for wholesale operations have some post–secondary school training, usually a two-year degree from an agricultural college. For a management position in a large wholesale nursery operation, a two-year degree is usually necessary.