Jazmin highlighted the importance of Green Career Week, a national initiative designed to inspire students and career changers to explore opportunities in horticulture. She emphasized that students are drawn to careers with missions and the potential to make a positive impact. Horticulture can offer opportunities to work on big-picture goals such as sustainability and climate change. Field trips and classroom presentations during Green Career Week provide students with a firsthand look at the industry, while industry members can access various resources to make their participation impactful.
Looking ahead, Green Career Week will take place from September 30 to October 4, with a spring session planned for the first week of March. Jazmin discussed the organization’s vision of building a digital library of companies and students participating in the initiative. Collaboration is key, and Seed Your Future invites anyone attending industry events to present about the organization or host local community presentations. We have participated in Green Career Week in the past and found it very rewarding to show students how their passions can be careers in our industry. If you want more information and insights into more businesses participating in Green Career Week, check out this blog!
A recurring theme during the session was students' desire for internships and career preparation. Many are eager to gain practical experience and make themselves valuable in the industry. Seed Your Future offers over 100 resources for exploring floriculture and horticulture careers, with extensive research on wages and career opportunities. Jazmin mentioned the organization's national database of scholarships and internship listings, making it easier for students to pursue their interests state by state.
Jazmin also explained that while students are motivated by large-scale ideas—like working in sustainability—they often don’t know which career paths can help them achieve these goals. Seed Your Future helps bridge that gap with tools like What is Your Plant Power Quiz, which helps students identify roles that match their passions and interests.
Seed Your Future isn’t just for younger generations. The organization also supports career changers from older communities, offering guidance to anyone interested in transitioning into horticulture. Middle school students and career switchers can benefit from the resources Seed Your Future provides.
Teachers play a significant role, too. With resources such as grants, lesson plans, DIY projects, and science experiments, educators can bring horticulture into the classroom through programs like Seed to Stem, which combines various subjects to create lessons around the green industry.
Despite being a small team, Seed Your Future continues to make a big impact. With a board of directors and consultants, they have plans to expand their efforts, including an upcoming meeting at the University of Nebraska, where they will tour facilities, meet with plant clubs, and engage with the university’s career center.
Jazmin encouraged attendees to support Seed Your Future through donations, which help sustain and create new programs. As the industry faces a wave of retirements in the coming years, it's crucial to pass the torch to younger generations, ensuring the future of horticulture remains bright. Jazmin invites companies and individuals to have Seed Your Future present, either virtually or in person, at their events. The organization's mission is clear: with collaboration and support, they aim to cultivate the next generation of horticulture leaders.