It’s BLOOM Time!
Getting young people involved in horticulture has become increasingly difficult over the years.
That is why Seed Your Future is launching its first major initiative to help educate young people and get them interested in horticulture.
Earlier this week, the coalition of horticulture companies, gardening organizations, educators, public gardens, youth organizations, nonprofit organizations and individual advocates introduced BLOOM! — a campaign designed to excite young people about the power of plants and ensure horticulture — along with the millions who depend on it — will thrive well into the future.
“This campaign is all about opening young people’s eyes to the incredible power of plants to change the world. Horticulturists today are already wielding that power to great effect, but there is much more work to be done,” said Anna Ball, president and CEO of Ball Horticultural Company and co-chair of the Seed Your Future National Leadership Cabinet.
Nearly 58,000 jobs in horticulture are expected to become available annually for the next five years, but only 61 percent are expected to be filled. At the same time, higher education and horticulture training programs are experiencing declining enrollment.
Through eye-catching, fact-based content delivered both inside and outside of the classroom, BLOOM! is educating and inspiring young people and the adults in their lives about the power of plants and the career opportunities behind them.
The campaign website, WeAreBLOOM.org, serves as a digital hub for all campaign activity and hosts a suite of entertaining, educational resources to interest kids, teachers, parents and youth program leaders — as well as industry professionals.
If you would like to get involved in this new initiative or would like to learn more about Seed Your Future and BLOOM!, please visit www.seedyourfuture.org or www.WeAreBloom.org.
Home Depot Invests in Tech Workers
The Home Depot plans to hire approximately 1,000 new technology professionals in 2018 at its primary technology centers in Atlanta, Austin and Dallas to support initiatives related to its $11.1 billion three-year strategic investment plan. Last year, the company announced investments related to its store and online shopping experience, supply chain and delivery capabilities, and associate and workforce management systems. “Our team is building some of the most advanced software anywhere to help customers shop whenever, wherever and however they want,” said Matt Carey, EVP and chief information officer.
Walmart Introduces New Checkout System
Walmart is testing a new program called Check Out With Me in 350 of its lawn and garden centers across the country this spring. Outfitted with cellular devices and Bluetooth printers, Lawn & Garden associates at these select stores can check out customers and provide a receipt on the spot. Customers no longer need to enter the physical store to pay for items like mulch, soil and flowers, saving them valuable time. A Walmart associate scans a customer’s items with the Check Out With Me mobile device, swipes their credit card and provides them with a receipt — printed or electronic.
Lowe’s CEO Pay Decreases in 2017
Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock saw his annual compensation decrease by approximately $1.4 million in 2017. While his base salary remained the same in 2016 and 2017 ($1.3 million), his stock awards, options, bonuses and other compensation dropped from $11.37 million to $9.91 million last year. Earlier this year he announced that he would be retiring once the company found a replacement for him. Niblock, a 25-year veteran of the company, was named CEO in 2005.
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