Seed Your Future to bring 80+ students to MANTS 2026

Seed Your Future is starting the new year with its largest student outreach initiative yet — bringing more than 80 high school students and educators from across the Mid-Atlantic to the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS).

As one of the nation’s biggest horticulture trade shows, MANTS offers students an immersive look inside the businesses that grow, move, design and support America’s plants. Seed Your Future’s goal is simple: to show young people that there are career opportunities within the horticulture industry for every skill set.

Led by Seed Your Future executive director Jazmin Albarran, the student groups will tour exhibitor booths and chat with growers, landscape companies, technology developers, equipment manufacturers, distributors and educators. Students will have the chance to ask questions, see emerging innovations and learn how different roles across the industry work together to support each other. Educators will also gain classroom-ready insights to help connect their students to green careers.

“For many of these students and teachers, this will be their first time seeing the scope of the horticulture world,” said Albarran. “When they meet business owners, breeders, designers, and researchers face-to-face, their understanding of what’s possible expands. That’s where interest becomes inspiration.”

Exhibitors at MANTS have expressed support for the initiative, noting that workforce development is one of the industry’s most significant challenges and opportunities.

“Trade shows like MANTS open students’ eyes to the green industry, and one visit can spark a career they never knew existed,” said Broch Martindale of Corteva Agriscience and new president of Seed Your Future’s board of directors. “Meeting students at events like this helps us show the breadth of careers available and the passion behind this work.”

“MANTS is just the first major touchpoint of the year for students,” explained Albarran. “This year, Seed Your Future is dedicated to supporting them year-round. After MANTS, you’ll find us at TPIE in Fort Lauderdale where we are partnering with FNGLA to refresh the show’s long-standing Career Fair.”

Companies interested in hosting a student group, sponsoring outreach or participating in future events can contact Courtney Dyal at courtney@gardenmediagroup.com.