President's Letter: Inspiration and Opportunities Along the Path into Horticulture

Months later, I still find myself inspired by the opportunity I had in August to welcome students to the FNGLA Horticulture Career Fair at The Landscape Show. This year, our association worked in partnership with Seed Your Future to produce a reimagined career fair. Seed Your Future works to "promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants."

I was honored to open the event by welcoming the more than 250 high school students in attendance and offer a little background on my education and work history. As part of the new program format this year, students had the opportunity to organize into small groups with an industry host to tour the show floor. Students visited with several exhibitors and discussed their employment journey and future industry opportunities. I loved this directed approach, which allowed students a more in-depth show experience, and the chance to meet industry leaders.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in this industry. All I ever knew was my parents working in horticulture. For others who have not yet been introduced to Florida’s nursery and landscape industry, I’m grateful programs like Seed Your Future exist. In fact, it’s partnerships such as what FNGLA has with Seed Your Future, and the exceptional horticulture programs at educational institutions around the state that our industry relies upon for skilled, passionate professionals. College and university horticulture programs serve as incredible incubators for our industry. They help develop an educated workforce and function as a lifeline for the future of our members’ businesses. In turn, our industry can provide competitive opportunities across many segments which include greenhouse, landscape, maintenance, garden centers, sales, finance, insurance, and beyond.

When I entered the University of Florida (UF) to study horticulture, I was grateful to have fantastic teachers. While at UF, I also had the opportunity to intern at multiple different nurseries around Florida. In fact, it was one of those internships that planted me in Central Florida where I still reside today. During my time in college, one of my favorite questions to ask my fellow horticulture students was how each discovered horticulture. What brought them to our industry? I was encouraged to learn that many students find their way into Florida’s nursery and landscape industry – and into successful jobs – through college horticulture programs.

We were recently disappointed to learn that Valencia College leaders in Central Florida have decided to terminate the Plant Science and Agricultural Technology program at the end of this school year. Beyond our industry, Orlando is one of the premier tourist destinations in the world, and our state’s gorgeous horticulture certainly adds to that. Our industry counts on graduates from programs such as Valencia College’s to continue those beautification efforts. I really hope they reconsider this decision. That’s why FNGLA has launched an initiative to appeal to Valencia’s Board of Trustees to reinstate this program. I encourage you to take action here and add your voice.

We must keep these pathways open to keep our industry's future bright!