A decade of service

Cheers to 10 years, Seed Your Future team! I’m incredibly proud of this organization’s milestone.

Seed Your Future’s mission is to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants. Their vision is to help create an environment “where everyone understands the power of plants and is aware of the promising careers in the art, science, technology and business of horticulture.”

This group works tirelessly at creating a pipeline of future employees and leaders in the green industry. They deserve our applause and our help.

Part of that workforce development takes place with SYF’s annual Green Career Week. Created to help green industry professionals connect with the next generation, Green Career Week was officially launched in the fall of 2022. Held once in the spring and fall, green professionals connect with educators and their students, whether it be through a field trip, classroom visit or virtual visit, showing students what they do in their job. By connecting with local schools, colleges and universities, businesses and organizations highlight the various career paths within the green industry, all while identifying future potential hires. Hundreds of companies have participated, helping SYF engage with more than 10,000 students to date.

Last year, Corteva Agriscience sponsored an initiative to highlight horticultural STEM careers in a series of 10 videos. Each video highlights a different individual working within the industry, asking what led them to their career, what qualifications are needed in their role and what they love most about what they do. Students can see some of the STEM opportunities available to them within the industry.

Between 2016 to 2017, SYF developed its Scholarships and Internships webpages. In 2020, SYF launched its Educator Grants resource page, connecting K-12 teachers with funding to help support horticulture and garden programs. Those webpages have helped countless students and educators secure funds and opportunities within the green industry.

I’m stoked about this new development. This year, SYF will create an immersive professional development program for high school science educators centered around horticulture careers. Participants will receive industry training and immerse themselves in onsite locations and career programs, allowing them to experience horticulture in a way that will enable them to explain industry careers to their students in greater detail. Educators will create open-access lesson plans available on SYF’s resources webpage, allowing teachers anywhere to use them.

Seed Your Future is thriving, but it still needs our help. Find out how your skills, knowledge and time fit best within the organization. Please visit seedyourfuture.org today!