The graduate Horticulture program at the University of Maine is available through the School of Food and Agriculture. It is a multi-dimensional program that offers graduate students the opportunity to explore the many aspects of horticulture through course work, teaching, extension, and scholarly research. Opportunities exist in a broad range of horticultural commodities such as: ornamental plant selection and evaluation, low-temperature tolerance, landscape plant production, blueberry physiology and hardiness, greenhouse production and management, pomology, tissue culture, and weed management. Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the Horticulture program and develop a well-rounded curriculum of study.
Students entering the graduate Horticulture program will be required to develop an original research project in one of the many facets of horticulture. In doing so, students will have access to extensive facilities such as the horticulture greenhouses, The Lyle E. Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden and Research Center, tissue culture and other lab equipment, as well as several other research facilities.  Also, an extensive relationship exists with local, state, national, and international horticulture professionals, and graduate students are encouraged to not only take advantage of these resources, but to also provide a conduit between the program and industry members.  Prospective students are encouraged to contact a faculty member directly for more information on individual research interests and potential courses of study.  Additional information concerning graduate studies in Horticulture may be obtained from Dr. Bryan J.Peterson (Graduate Coordinator) (bryan.j.peterson@maine.edu), or from the website, (http://umaine.edu/foodandagriculture/).

Graduate Faculty

Stephanie Burnett, Ph.D. (University of Georgia, 2004), Associate Professor of Horticulture.

Lily Calderwood, Ph.D. (University of Vermont, 2015), Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist and Assistant Professor of Horticulture.

Renae E. Moran, Ph.D. (University of Arkansas, May 1996) Professor. Variety evaluation and postharvest fruit quality.

Bryan J. Peterson, Ph.D. (Iowa State University, 2013). Associate Professor of Horticulture.  Propagation, selection, and responsible use of woody ornamental plants.  Ecology, ecophysiology, and conservation of native taxa.

Matthew Wallhead, Ph.D., (University of New Hampshire, 2016), Extension Ornamental Horticulture Specialist and Assistant Professor of Horticulture.