Seed Your Future is a national initiative to promote horticulture as a vital, viable and exciting career path for the nation’s youth. It envisions a world where every U.S. student knows the meaning and importance of horticulture. It wants the next generation of leaders in this invaluable field poised to fill the wealth of job opportunities available to them.
There has been a decline in interest in plants and in pursuing careers in horticulture. This has caused many challenges including: low appreciation for how plants impact the world; declining college, university and certification program enrollment in horticulture; and plant blindness (the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, leading to the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs). Another challenge is negative stereotypes about careers working with plants. Check out a few of the alarming statistics:
The average U.S. citizen can identify more than 1,000 brands and logos, but fewer than 10 local plants.
Most schools stop teaching plant-based concepts in the third grade.
ZERO middle-schoolers in focus groups across the country said they have heard the word “horticulture.”
Only 61% of the average 57,600 annual job openings in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources or the environment are filled due to lack of qualified candidates – causing a severe workforce gap. Seed Your Future’s goals:
Awareness – Create a favorable perception of horticulture and increase awareness of careers working with plants among youth and youth influencers.
Education – Engage and excite youth about horticulture and careers working with plants.
Workforce Development – Increase the skilled workforce in horticulture and develop a strong pipeline of future talent.
Partnerships – Cultivate and strengthen partnerships and collaborations to advance our mission; and to diversify and broaden the base of volunteers, advocates and supporters.
Resource Development – Diversify funding sources and increase financial supporters to ensure sustainability of the movement.
For information on how to get involved, visit http://seedyourfuture.org.
