Seed Your Future Campaign Aims to Educate Young People About Horticulture
Seed Your Future is launching its first major initiative to help educate young people and get them interested in horticulture.
The coalition of horticulture companies, gardening organizations, educators, public gardens, youth organizations, nonprofit organizations and individual advocates is introducing 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.
According to Seed Your Future, horticulture touches nearly every facet of life, but awareness of this important industry is at an all-time low. Research shows that the average American can recognize 1,000 brand names and logos, but fewer than 10 local plants. “Plant blindness,” the lack of awareness of plants, is particularly significant among U.S. youth, a majority of whom have never heard of the term “horticulture.”
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.
“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.
“Whether BLOOM! introduces today’s youth to a lifelong passion or a fulfilling career, one thing is clear — the more we know about plants, the more we can make a difference in the world today,” Ball said.
“We are living in a moment of great paradox. Plants are everywhere, yet plants are nowhere,” said Susan E. Yoder, executive director of Seed Your Future.
“Horticulture impacts everything from the air we breathe, to the food we eat, to the beautiful landscapes and floral arrangements we enjoy, but few outside the industry make this critical connection. Youth – our next generation of leaders – are the key to reversing this trend, which is why we are thrilled to bring them a campaign that introduces them to the awe-inspiring potential of the natural world.”
To learn more about Seed Your Future and BLOOM!, please visit www.seedyourfuture.org or www.WeAreBLOOM.org.
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