Horticulture is a dynamic segment of agriculture.
The development, growth, distribution, and utilization of fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants plus the arts of floral design and landscaping enrich our lives with nutritious foods and more attractive surroundings. North Carolina's varied climatic conditions favor the production of a wide variety of horticultural crops on a commercial scale, as well as the development of parks and gardens. The population and amount of industry in the state are increasing, and with them the use of ornamental plants. Designers skilled in residential and commercial landscaping, interior plantscaping, and plant maintenance are in high demand. All this in turn has created a growth in interest in horticulture education.