Seed Your Future Announces First-Ever Green and Growing Gala
Seed Your Future logo | SYF
Seed Your Future has announced its first Green and Growing Seed to STEM Gala, on Friday, June 13, 2025, at The Penthouse Hyde Park in Chicago. The evening brings together green industry leaders, passionate advocates, and changemakers committed to building a prepared, inclusive horticulture workforce.
Seed Your Future leads a national movement to promote horticulture and equip educators with the tools to introduce students, many for the first time, to the vast number of professional opportunities that await them in the green industry. Through Seed to STEM, high school teachers come together to uncover dynamic ways to inspire students.
“This event forges meaningful, lasting friendships with teachers from across the country, and we are thrilled to be able to help foster that community with passionate people who believe in our mission,” says Jazmin Albarran, Executive Director of Seed Your Future. “We’re looking forward to an unforgettable evening of celebration and cultivation.”
The inaugural Green and Growing Gala will be an evening of inspiration and impact. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, keynote remarks from industry leaders, a silent auction, and opportunities to connect with other horticulture/green industry professionals.
Participating speakers include Albarran, Dr. John Dole from North Carolina State University’s Department of Horticulture, Anna Ball of Ball Horticultural Company, past Seed to STEM program participants, and three of this year’s teacher participants.
What is Seed to STEM?
Seed to STEM is a professional development program designed to equip high school educators with hands-on experiences, connections, and classroom-ready resources to introduce students to careers in horticulture. The program includes:
- Professional Development Workshops: Virtual and in-person training sessions with horticulture experts.
- Industry Immersion: Site visits to leading green industry businesses.
- Classroom Resources: Lesson plans and activities tailored to various subjects.
- Networking Opportunities: Collaboration with fellow educators and industry leaders.
This year, the program expanded to include educators from math, art, business, technology, and English disciplines, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of horticulture and its relevance across various subjects. By integrating into diverse subjects, Seed to STEM fosters creativity, critical thinking, and environmental awareness in the classroom. It gives students a broader understanding of the green industry and its various careers.
The current participants represent 26 schools in 15 states and Washington, D.C., impacting 45,000 students annually. As a free program for participants, including 20 Title 1 schools, the Seed to STEM program relies on support from industry partners for its far-reaching impact. Money raised helps to secure the program’s future and support the creation of the curriculum used in schools for future years, helping to build the industry’s talent pipeline among the next generation.
To partner with Seed Your Future in supporting this program or to learn more about attending the event, contact Courtney Dyal at [email protected].
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