Blazing a Path

When you turn to page 12 of this issue of GPN, be prepared to look into the future. That is where you will find the GPN’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2015 — a gifted group of trailblazers who are really making things happen in our industry today and will be influential into our tomorrow.

These 25 men and 15 women range in age from 26 to 39, represent 20 different states and two countries and work in many different areas of the horticulture industry — they are poised to blaze many new paths into the green industry’s future.

Which paths the industry takes remains to be seen but this year’s class has begun laying the groundwork for the future and is in the process of mapping out the direction in which we are headed.

After you have read the article and if you want to learn more about these individuals, you will have a chance to meet many of them this summer at Cultivate’15 during a special “Mix ‘n Mingle Session with GPN’s 40 Under 40.” It will take place on July 13 in the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Stay tuned to GPN Weekly for more details.

Two More to Watch For

Two more individuals to watch out for in the coming years are Kim Shearer Lattier and Jackie Wang — the winners of the 2015 Glenn Goldsmith Breeding Excellence Scholarship and the Goldsmith Seeds Floriculture Business Advancement Scholarship (see article on page 8).

Lattier is working on a degree in plant breeding and genetics at Oregon State Univeristy, and Wang is studying toward an environmental science and agriculture degree at California Polytecnhic State University-San Luis Obispo.

While these young ladies may still be in college, when they hit the “real world,” the horticulture industry needs to be on the lookout for both of them because they are definitely future trailblazers!