Seed Your Future is rapidly expanding one of its newest workforce development initiatives, introducing more students and educators to careers in horticulture through immersive Career Day programs at major industry trade shows.
What began last year as a pilot program at Cultivate’25 with 20 students and teachers has grown significantly. In 2026, Seed Your Future Career Day programs have reached more than 150 students and educators nationwide. Most recently, 43 students and teachers from across the country participated in Career Day at Cultivate’26 in Columbus, Ohio, where they explored career paths across every corner of the horticulture industry.
Cultivate is one stop on a growing national effort. This year, Seed Your Future has brought students to major industry events including the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, the Tropical Plant International Expo, the Pennsylvania Farm Show Career Fair and SAF’s Next Gen LIVE!, where students explored careers in floriculture through educational sessions, networking and trade show experiences.
“Our industry has so much to offer, but students can’t pursue careers they don’t know exist,” says Broch Martindale, president of Seed Your Future. “This event is about making those connections and helping them see the possibilities.”
At Cultivate’26, students and teachers divided into small groups led by Master Gardener Volunteers, Seed Your Future volunteers and other industry professionals for guided tours of 39 exhibitor booths. Along the way, they met growers, breeders, designers, brokers, marketers and technology companies, gaining firsthand exposure to the breadth of careers available in horticulture.
For many students, the experience opened doors they hadn’t previously considered.
“The trade show tour was an amazing experience that exposed me to the many sides of the horticulture industry, from marketing and production to ag technology and plant breeding,” says Dayana Ramirez, a horticulture student at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. “It was inspiring to see the wide variety of career paths and internship opportunities available nationwide.”
Exhibitors said the program provides hope for the future of the industry by helping cultivate the next generation of horticulture professionals.
“I am so excited to see a lot of new, young faces coming up into our industry, especially those who have a focus on native plants and sustainability,” says Josiah Gregory, sales and customer service manager at North Creek Nurseries. “The only way that the industry is going to continue into the future is if these new generations pick up where the current and older generations are leaving off.”
The program’s impact extended beyond career exploration. Before the day concluded, one participating student secured an on-site internship interview with an exhibiting company, underscoring the value of connecting students directly with employers.
Seed Your Future plans to continue building on that momentum. Its next Career Day program will take place Aug. 19-21 during The Landscape Show in Orlando, Florida, where approximately 50 high school students will explore careers throughout the horticulture industry.
Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.
