Horticulture is the growing and cultivating of plants and fruits in greenhouses or gardens. Currently, Fauquier High School (FHS) offers numerous agriculture courses for students who plan on making a career in the agricultural industry. Stephen Potucek currently teaches the Horticulture class that serves as an introduction to agriculture for students. After completion of the course, students often advance to another course that further prepares them for a future career in agriculture.

In horticulture, students learn hands-on how to manage and successfully grow different kinds of plants such as tomatoes, raspberries and blackberries. At the beginning of class, students are instructed on their topic for that day. Once they understand the topic, they move on to the greenhouse, where they put what they have learned into practice.

Throughout the semester, students learn what it takes to run a business selling their own plants, fruits and vegetables. They handle the marketing and research of the plants they are going to sell and are responsible for their care and well-being, as well as making sure all of their plants are healthy and being taken care of properly. To raise money for the class, students take part in a plant sale where people come and buy all of the fruits and vegetables they have grown throughout the course of the semester. The profit earned goes back into the class for buying seeds and necessary materials.

At the beginning of the semester, Potucek requires that students take a career assessment test so that he can cater his curriculum to help them achieve their future career goals. Potucek has worked in the landscaping industry for 35 years and has owned his own landscaping business for the past 20 years. He uses his past experiences to help further prepare students for real situations and problems they could encounter in a future career.

Students can go into careers such as a greenhouse operator or grower, a landscape contractor or working on a farm. While colleges like Virginia Tech offer numerous agricultural classes and programs, the majority of careers in agriculture do not require a degree, allowing potential workers to enter the industry directly after high school.

Horticulture proves to be a gateway into the agricultural industry and a great way for students to get hands-on experience in the field.