Instructors

Kurt Richardson started teaching horticulture at the Franklin County Technical School in 2002 after several years as a substitute during winter down times in his private business.

Before entering the education field, Kurt owned and operated several “green” businesses including a retail garden center, a greenhouse operation, as well as landscape contracting, irrigation contracting, and tree work companies.

His wide range of experience allows him to introduce students to a variety of career paths and opportunities in the horticulture sector.

Kurt's philosophy on technical education is to provide students with the employability skills they will need to succeed after high school, no matter what career they may choose.

Kurt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental design from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He became a licensed vocational teacher in Massachusetts in 2016.

He holds a Massachusetts Commercial Pesticide License, a Massachusetts Hoisters License, a Commercial Driver’s License, a Massachusetts Horticulturist Certificate, and is certified as an irrigation contractor and as an irrigation auditor.