Req 9 — Careers or Healthy Living
For this final requirement, you choose exactly one path. One option looks outward at professional work in gardening-related fields. The other looks inward at how gardening can shape your own health, habits, and long-term goals.
Your Two Options
Req 9a — Gardening Careers: Research three career opportunities, then go deep on one. This option is best if you want to see how gardening skills connect to jobs, training, and long-term career growth.
Req 9b — Gardening as a Hobby & Healthy Lifestyle: Explore how gardening could become part of your personal life. This option is best if you are more interested in long-term habits, wellness, community, and enjoyment than in a job path.
How to Choose
Choosing Your Final Option
Pick the one that matches what you want to learn
- Interest in careers: If you like researching jobs, education paths, and salaries, choose 9a.
- Interest in personal growth: If you want to think about hobbies, health, stress relief, or food growing at home, choose 9b.
- Available sources: Career research may lead you to colleges, certifications, and industry groups. Hobby research may lead you to clubs, community gardens, and local classes.
- What you will gain: Option 9a builds career awareness; Option 9b helps you picture gardening as part of everyday life.
What Both Options Have in Common
Whichever path you choose, the requirement asks you to do more than list facts. You need to think about future action. That means connecting your research to your own interests, goals, or questions.
A strong discussion with your counselor will explain not only what you found, but also what it means for you.
Why This Is a Good Final Requirement
The earlier requirements teach what gardeners do. This final choice asks what gardening could mean beyond the badge. That is a fitting way to end. A merit badge should open a door, not just close a checklist.
American Public Gardens Association A helpful starting point for learning how public gardens, education, conservation, and horticulture connect in real organizations.You are at the final choice in the guide. Next, start with the career path and see how gardening knowledge can turn into professional work.