September 2025 40 Under 40, Production

Forty Under 40 Perspectives: Lessons that stick from classroom to garden By Alisha Asleson

“Hey! You know about plants and flowers, right?” If you’ve ever worked in horticulture, you’ve probably heard that more than a few times — usually followed by a flood of questions. I’ve answered plenty, from diagnosing scale on peace lilies to identifying native milkweed. 

This time, I was asked to help with a day camp for kids ages 6 to 12, with a focus on gardening. Over the next couple of weeks, I pulled together materials for a 30-minute session on soil and fresh flowers. Simple enough — or so I thought. 

TEACHING TIME 

When the day arrived, I was running a bit behind and feeling the nerves. Would the kids care about soil? Would they stay engaged? Or would it feel like trying to herd cats? 

I got set up in the classroom, and as the kids sat down, their eyes lit up. They were excited to see the buckets of fresh flowers I brought and commented on the colors and how they smelled. I’ll admit that since I work with fresh flowers on a regular basis, I’m a bit jaded and it’s just another day for me. I forgot what it felt like to truly appreciate the beauty of the flowers. 

As I started to talk about soil, I asked them if they knew what soil was for or where it was. Hands instantly shot up, and they gave very thoughtful answers that were spot on. I was a little more inspired and continued talking about fertilizer and nutrients. They asked what was considered a good nutrient, and I could see that they were trying to make a connection to what it did for the soil. I made a reference between broccoli and chips. When we eat chips, we don’t get all the nutrients we need, unlike broccoli. 

We wrapped up the session with a lesson on floral design — exploring shapes and basic design elements. As I packed up, the kids thanked me, proud of their new skills and creativity. I left the classroom feeling good and went on with my day. 

PLANTING SEEDS OF CONFIDENCE 

A few days later, one of the camp volunteers, whose daughter had attended the session, showed me a video taken that same evening. Her daughter had recreated the It was incredible to see that kind of excitement and curiosity sparked by a single lesson. From classroom to garden: Lessons that stick setup from class, giving her own 5-minute floral design lecture at home. 

“She was pretending to be you,” the mom said. That moment stopped me in my tracks. She had absorbed the lesson, remembered the details and felt confident enough to teach it herself. 

The mom told me her daughter had gathered pots of flowers from their deck and even enlisted their dog as a floral assistant. It was incredible to see that kind of excitement and curiosity sparked by a single lesson. 

This experience reminded me that we do need to stop and take the time to educate and share our experiences with the next generation to ensure that we do in fact have another generation in this industry. I know I wouldn’t be where I am without those who took the time to share their knowledge with me years ago. 

Moral of the story: Teach about the rose as you stop to smell it. 

Also, eat broccoli, with a side of chips.