{"id":18,"date":"2025-10-09T00:52:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T00:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/winter-2025-volume-8-issue-2\/growing-opportunity-dvc-horticulture-program-cultivates-career-success\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T00:51:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T00:51:21","slug":"hands-in-the-soil-eyes-on-the-future-dvc-horticulture-program-grows-thriving-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/winter-2025-volume-8-issue-2\/hands-in-the-soil-eyes-on-the-future-dvc-horticulture-program-grows-thriving-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"Hands in the Soil, Eyes on the Future: DVC Horticulture Program Grows Thriving Careers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michael Rada found his calling outside, hands deep in the soil. After struggling academically, he transferred to an independent study program during his senior year of high school. Encouraged by his counselor to explore careers at DVC, Rada discovered a horticulture class and his future passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn that program, I found so many like-minded people. The learning environment I was exposed to invigorated me to learn,\u201d says Rada. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rada says that DVC made a significant impact, steering him to his career and a joy found in lifelong learning. \u201cI used to hate science and school. Now it is a part of my daily life, and I love it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Michael<\/p>\n

Rada completed foundational horticulture and general education courses at DVC before transferring to Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humbolt). He earned his bachelor of science in environmental science, with minors in botany, watershed science and geospatial science. <\/span><\/p>\n

After working as a field biologist, Rada returned to the Bay Area and now manages an extensive plant palette at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. He is also back at DVC, pursuing the horticulture certificates he had started years before. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis fall, I will complete certificates of achievement in plant science and horticulture, nursery and greenhouse, and arboriculture at DVC,\u201d said Rada.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sprouting a New Path<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Anna<\/p>\n

Anna Sturbaum credits DVC with twice providing an outstanding and affordable education. After high school, she began her college journey at DVC and then transferred to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree and teaching credential. After four years of teaching, Sturbaum wanted a different path, inspired by a gardening project. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got a job building raised bed vegetable gardens. But before long, clients asked me questions I didn\u2019t know the answers to. I felt like an imposter,\u201d Sturbaum says. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sturbaum returned to DVC and enrolled in the horticulture program, earning a certificate of achievement in plant science and horticulture, as well as certificates of accomplishment in nursery technician and horticulture technician.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to learn about plant propagation? You will actively propagate hundreds of plants. Controlled environment growing to grow your own plants? You can help build aquaponics or hydroponics systems,\u201d says Sturbaum. <\/span><\/p>\n

The program\u2019s connections led to competing job offers. Ultimately, she chose an ecological landscape installer opportunity at Mariposa Gardening and Design, where she applies her DVC training daily. <\/span><\/p>\n

To those considering the program, Sturbaum shares her powerful endorsement. \u201cYou might end up finishing the program, walk at graduation, and acquire an awesome job and lifelong friends. That\u2019s what happened to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeds of Inspiration<\/span><\/h2>\n

Onna Young was drawn to the DVC horticulture program out of both necessity and entrepreneurial interest.
\n\u201cI had moved to the area, and at the time I had a large yard with mature fruit trees. I wanted to know how to keep them alive,\u201d says Young. <\/span><\/p>\n

As a consultant with the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Young recognized the horticulture program\u2019s strong potential for lucrative ventures. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a business advisor who helps future business owners take their infant idea and turn it into a fully-fledged sustainable business, what stood out to me was how every horticulture module taught could be turned into a thriving business,\u201d Young says. <\/span><\/p>\n

Young interned at the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Wolfskill Orchard in Davis, California, where she maintained over 3,200 species of grapes and hundreds of species of stone fruits. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo be able to experience the joy and pride of making hundreds of things come alive was a life experience I wish for everyone.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harvesting a High-Growth Future<\/span><\/h2>\n

Horticulture students who earn an associate in science degree or a certificate access many job opportunities throughout the Bay Area. Numerous companies and organizations have hired DVC horticulture students and alumni, including:<\/span><\/p>\n