Seed Your Future has announced its first Green and Growing Seed to STEM Gala, June 13 at The Penthouse Hyde Park in Chicago. The evening brings together green industry leaders, passionate advocates, and changemakers – committed to building a prepared, inclusive horticulture workforce.
Seed Your Future leads a national movement to promote horticulture and equip educators with the tools to introduce students, many for the first time, to the vast number of professional opportunities that await them in the green industry. Through Seed to STEM, high school teachers come together to uncover dynamic ways to inspire students.
"This event forges meaningful, lasting friendships with teachers from across the country, and we are thrilled to be able to help foster that community with passionate people who believe in our mission," said Jazmin Albarran, executive director of Seed Your Future. "We're looking forward to an unforgettable evening of celebration and cultivation."
The inaugural Green and Growing Gala will be an evening of inspiration and impact. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, keynote remarks from industry leaders, a silent auction, and opportunities to connect with other horticulture/green industry professionals.
Participating speakers include Albarran, Dr. John Dole from North Carolina State's Department of Horticulture, Anna Ball of Ball Horticultural Company, past Seed to STEM program participants, and three of this year's teacher participants.
What is Seed to STEM?
Seed to STEM is a professional development program designed to equip high school educators with hands-on experiences, connections, and classroom-ready resources to introduce students to careers in horticulture.
The program includes a variety of components designed to enhance professional growth and industry engagement. Participants will benefit from professional development workshops, which offer both virtual and in-person training sessions with horticulture experts. The program also features industry immersion through site visits to leading green industry businesses, providing hands-on experience and insights into the field. Additionally, classroom resources such as lesson plans and activities are tailored to various subjects, supporting educators in integrating horticulture into their curricula. Furthermore, the program offers networking opportunities, facilitating collaboration with fellow educators and industry leaders to foster connections and share best practices.
This year, the program expanded to include educators from math, art, business, technology, and English disciplines, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of horticulture and its relevance across various subjects. By integrating into diverse subjects, Seed to STEM fosters creativity, critical thinking, and environmental awareness in the classroom. It gives students a broader understanding of the green industry and its various careers.
The current participants represent 26 schools in 15 states and Washington, D.C., impacting 45,000 students annually. As a free program for participants, including 20 Title 1 schools, the Seed to STEM program relies on support from our industry partners for its far-reaching impact. Money raised helps to secure the program's future and support the creation of the curriculum used in schools for future years, helping to build our industry's talent pipeline among the next generation.
For more information:
Seed Your Future
www.seedyourfuture.org