Tactics for training your horticulture teams

Greenhouse growers know that success is built on more than just healthy plants — it’s rooted in the strength and adaptability of your team. As the industry faces constant change, intentional workforce development is more important than ever. The off-season presents a prime opportunity to invest in your people, ensuring your operation is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

WHY INVEST IN TRAINING? 

The slower pace of the off-season is the perfect time to focus on skill-building, cross-training and professional development. Training now means your team will be better prepared for the busy months, more confident in their roles and equipped to handle new responsibilities. It’s also a chance to foster engagement, boost morale and demonstrate your commitment to employee growth — all of which are key factors in retention. 

YOUR PARTNER IN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH 

AmericanHort is dedicated to helping greenhouse businesses thrive by providing practical, relevant education that supports every stage of your team’s careers. In the year ahead, AmericanHort is expanding educational offerings to provide growers with more flexible, high-value learning opportunities. Webinars, in-person events, on-demand learning, certification pathways and peer communities all provide learning opportunities for members and the industry.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON 

AmericanHort education programming is designed to keep you ahead of the curve. In the coming year, greenhouse growers can look forward to learning opportunities on topics such as: • • Safety programs and risk mitigation strategies 

• AI uses and implementation 
• Business financial literacy and management 
• Pest and disease best practices, including the latest research 
• Growing best practices for efficiency and quality 
• Transitioning technology to other industry segments 

Whether you’re onboarding new staff, upskilling seasoned employees or preparing your leadership team for the next step, there’s a program designed to meet your needs. 

ELEVATE YOUR LEARNING 

NEW! HortCred: Short, focused micro credential learning experiences that help team members quickly build practical skills in targeted topics, such as irrigation, pest management, plant nutrition and more. 

• Greenhouse Certifications: Structured learning journeys for greenhouse technicians and section growers that validate knowledge and demonstrate professional competency across keyhorticultural roles. 
• Grow Forward Series: Timely webinars focused on emerging topics, from business management to personal professional development. On January 28, Nicholas Staddon will kick off the 2026 series leading a discussion: Charting Your Career Path at Any Stage. 
• Roundtables: Peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities, where growers can share challenges, solutions, and best practices in a collaborative environment. 
• Mastery Series: Deep-dive courses designed to build advanced skills in critical areas of business management and leadership, such as employee development, navigating H-2A and H-2B, and Succession & Exit Planning. 

HORTCRED AND CERTIFICATION 

A strong workforce doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through intentional training, clear skill pathways and opportunities for team members to grow. That’s where HortCred and Certification come together to support the industry. 

NEW this year, HortCred microcredentials are convenient to complete, highly specific and immediately applicable in daily work. They’re ideal for onboarding, upskilling or strengthening knowledge in targeted areas, and can be stacked to build broader expertise. Downloadable digital badges allow participants to showcase their skills online. 

HortCred also serves as a bridge to AmericanHort certification programs, providing a quick on-ramp to deeper, more comprehensive training for career and professional growth.

Greenhouse certifications go a step further by verifying broader competence across a defined body of knowledge. 

The Greenhouse Technician Certification focuses on foundational plant care, developing core competencies for greenhouse work in growing and operations. The Greenhouse Section Grower Certification is for experienced growers looking to advance their skills and improve efficiency, plant health, and workflows. Testing and skill assessments help track individual growth and ensure positive learning outcomes. 

Certification provides industry-recognized validation, a structured learning journey and a credential that signals readiness for advanced roles. 

Together, HortCred and Certification create a flexible, scalable workforce development system. Employers can mix and match these tools, using HortCred for quick skill- building and Certification for broader mastery, depending on team needs. This integrated approach supports clearer career pathways, stronger retention, and more confident, capable teams. 

IN-PERSON AND ON-DEMAND LEARNING 

For those who prefer hands-on learning and networking, AmericanHort offers in-person events like Cultivate’26 and the Plug & Cutting Conference. These events provide immersive education, industry tours, and the chance to connect with peers and experts. For added flexibility, Cultivate’26 On-Demand makes it easy to access top sessions recorded live from anywhere. 

Join us for Cultivate’26 in Columbus, Ohio, July 11 to 14. Pre-registration will open Feb. 9 to 20. Stay tuned for more information on the Plug & Cutting Conference, coming in fall 2026.

Celina Young is marketing communications specialist for AmericanHort. Stay up-to-date on current educational offerings at americanhort.org/education.