# Choose a Plant Science Track

Part of the Plant Science Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/index.md)

*8. Choose Your Specialty*

> **8.** Choose ONE of the following options and complete each requirement:

This is the capstone of the badge. You will pick one branch and follow it all the way through. Each branch gives you a different kind of plant-science experience, so choose the one that best fits your interests, your location, and the time you have available.

## Your Options

- **[Req 8a — Agronomy Roadmap](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8a/)**: Study field crops such as corn, cotton, forage crops, small grains, and soybeans. You will learn about seedbeds, germination, pests, crop regions, and one crop-specific project.
- **[Req 8b — Horticulture Roadmap](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8b/)**: Focus on plants grown for food, beauty, and landscaping. You will visit growing spaces, learn horticulture terms, practice hands-on plant care, and complete a seasonal project.
- **[Req 8c — Option C: Field Botany](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c/)**: Work outdoors in natural areas. You will study plant communities, use identification keys, press specimens, research rare plants, and complete a structured field study.

## How to Choose

| Track | Best for Scouts who like... | You will spend most of your time... | Good fit if you have... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agronomy | farming, food systems, maps, crop production | studying how major crops are planted, grown, protected, and harvested | access to a garden plot, farm, or crop field |
| Horticulture | gardening, landscaping, nurseries, plant care | growing and maintaining plants in designed spaces | a yard, containers, or a public garden or nursery nearby |
| Field Botany | hiking, ecology, native plants, nature study | observing wild plants in natural habitats and documenting what you find | parks, preserves, Scout camps, or natural areas nearby |

**Questions to Ask Before You Decide** — Pick the branch you can actually complete well

- [ ] **Season:** Which branch matches the time of year? Crop and garden work depend on planting season.
- [ ] **Location:** Do you have access to a field, a garden, a greenhouse, or natural areas?
- [ ] **Equipment:** Will you need plant tags, notebooks, maps, seed trays, or a plant press?
- [ ] **Time:** Some options stretch across weeks or a full growing season.
- [ ] **What you'll gain:** Agronomy teaches crop systems, Horticulture builds practical growing skills, and Field Botany strengthens observation and identification skills.

> **Tip**
>
> Talk with your counselor before you commit. A branch that sounds exciting but is hard to finish in your climate or schedule is not the best choice.

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- Previous: [Plant Science as a Hobby](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req7b/index.md)
- Next: [Agronomy Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8a/index.md)